http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org This is it.... Megan Dunegan - The World Race 2007 en-us Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:48:12 GMT 30 http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=coming-home http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=coming-home this is it... where did this year go? how did it happen so fast?   tomorrow i will be flying back into the states, and then two days after that i will be flying to texas to see my family for the first time in 11 months. back to the comforts of home. back to the people that i love very dearly, and have longed to see for so many months. i will be able to see my new neice that was born while i was in cambodia. i will be kissing the faces of both of my sister's beautiful children. i'm su Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=the-women-in-my-life-part-3-happy-birthday-pamm http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=the-women-in-my-life-part-3-happy-birthday-pamm Pam Perry is my friend. She will be my friend for the rest of my life, and for that I am thankful.   We all have those people in our lives that we don't deserve except for the fact that God has given them to us as a gift. Pam is that gift for me. She is an extraordinary friend and sister, and she means the world to me. She is an incredible picture of what grace should look like in a person (I'm not just saying that either,Pammy). She really is one of the very few people in my lif Tue, 15 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=does-anyone-notice-me-god-are-you-there http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=does-anyone-notice-me-god-are-you-there WOW! i can't believe that we have one more week of minisrty before we head off to debrief!! it almost doesn't seem like reality. it has been such an incredible 11 months! God has shown up in so many different ways, and in so many different places. i have expeienced God in areas i have never known were possible.   as i am beginning to get anxious about the end of the race, and everything that is to come as i enter back into the states, i'm trying to not loose sigh Mon, 7 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=how-to-do-it-right-in-nica http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=how-to-do-it-right-in-nica This is how world racers celebrate the 4th of July in Nica:   #1 go to a shady neighborhood to find homemade fireworks. make sure there is a sign out front that says "danger! no smoking" #2 make sure you buy the most shady looking ones with a long wooden stick comming out of the bottom of it.  #3 find a good place to shoot them off. like a roof of a hotel, in the middle of a busy town, with houses and buldings all around you. #4 make sure the person lighting the firewor Sat, 5 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=seeing-through-the-eyes-of-christ http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=seeing-through-the-eyes-of-christ Something that I have wanted to do for a long time was to be involved in medical missions, but I didn't think I would ever get the chance because I don't have a medical degree-and don't plan on getting one anytime soon. When I heard about a medical team coming from Florida to Nicaragua at the same time we would be there I jumped at the opportunity. They said they would need help even from people that didn't work in the medical profession. So off I went with team seveneleven to Granada, Nicaragua Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=kuna-yalaand-the-livins-easy http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=kuna-yalaand-the-livins-easy A couple of cultural facts about the Kuna people group: 1. They are the second largest indigenous people group in the world (they are only in Panama City and the islands of Kuna Yala). 2. They are the second smallest people, physically, next to dwarfs, in the world.   My expereince with the Kuna people was one of the best cultural experiences I have ever had. Spending ten days submerged in a completly different culture proved to be more challenging than I had anticipated, and&nb Sun, 22 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=they-will-get-their-innocence-back http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=they-will-get-their-innocence-back   the world of media in your face all day long. if you don't fit their mold of what you should be and look like then you're not worth paying attention to. so why bother evening trying to amount to anything? you have no self-worth. so you turn to things that make you feel better about yourself, and try to drown out the noiseof life. drugs, sex, alcohol, abuse, neglect, abortion, eating disorders, suicide, cutting/self-mutilation, self-condemnation,depression...you allow your soul to get c Thu, 22 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=my-most-amazing-bday-ever http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=my-most-amazing-bday-ever And this is how my 23rd birthday started! I woke up at 6am to Sarah B. shaking me saying, "Hey! It's May 13th, and it's your birthday!" Then at 6:15am I woke up again to Molly and Jeanette throwing 11 1/2 orange balloons all over my bed while singing "happy birthday" in a whisper, because everyone else was still sleeping. Then needing to get up to use the bathroom, I walked out into the hallway to see a bright "Happy Birthday" sign hanging on the wall-thank you Pammy!! After I got ready for Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=funny-storysatan-hates-cameras http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=funny-storysatan-hates-cameras There I was, laying on the beach with Pammy and Traci. We noticed that the tide was comming pretty far up, but we thought we would move back when it started to get a little closer. Traci said, "ok, when I say 'get ready' be prepared to grab your stuff and run." Not even five minutes later she starts yelling "RUN, RUN! HERE IT COMES!!!" We all jump up, laughing our butts off, and grab the towels we were laying on and everything on them as the tide came in very quickly, but to our demise we re Tue, 13 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=god-doesnt-live-in-a-box-silly http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=god-doesnt-live-in-a-box-silly Freedom in Christ. What does this mean? God doesn't live in a box, right? Minisrty, Missions, Chrstianity, Grace, Love, Unconditional love, The World Race, Trust, Worship... All these words we put into this box that we think God lives in. Oh, but boy are we wrong. What does ministry really look like? What does freedom in Christ really mean? A repeating pattern on the race that I have seen is that God does not work by our agendas or plans. In our little American-christian minds we chalk Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=my-morning-journal-entry http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=my-morning-journal-entry Lord- how do i love when it's difficult? how do i love when i have no more patience? how do i love when all i want is someone to show love to me? how do i love when i feel rejected? how do i love when i feel betrayed? how do i love when i don't feel like it? how do i love when i'm having a bad day? how do i love when i'm feeling alone? how do i love when i feel satan attacking me? how do i love when i'm irritated? how do i love like You love? EPHESIANS 4 "...Be humble and gentle. Be Fri, 2 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=when-was-the-last-time-you-did-something-for-the-first-time http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=when-was-the-last-time-you-did-something-for-the-first-time Just a few days ago During the time we got to Costa Rica and before we left to go to our ministry locations, some of us decided to check out the beach. We took a bus about four hours away from San Jose to the coast to a beach called Quepos. It was very beautiful, and the weather was perfect! I went with eight other wonderful people from my squad. It was the most fun I've had in a long time, and if you know me that's saying a lot for just going to the beach. Beaches aren't my favorite p Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=the-women-in-my-life-part-2 http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=the-women-in-my-life-part-2 Shelly: You know those people in your life that you know will be there forever no matter what? The kind of people that no matter how long it's been since you've seen them or talked to them you seem to just pick back up where you left off. Shelly is this person for me. She is my friend and my sister. She has been in my life for about eleven years now. She was there when I asked Christ into my life at the age of twelve. She has been my spiritual mentor and an example of Christ througho Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=the-heart-of-my-teammate http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=the-heart-of-my-teammate This is something that was put on one of my teammates hearts. I just wanted to share it with you :) A couple of weeks ago I was fasting and the Lord clearly asked me to pray and fast again.                      "Pray and fast for the men of all ages and generations" Within those few brief moments God revealed to me a real burden, concern, respect and love for my brothers in Christ. The whole v Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=a-day-in-spain http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=a-day-in-spain After a 10 hour flight from Joburg to Zurich, and off to Spain, we landed in Madrid at about 9am. This is where the fun began. A day and a half in Spain...what's a girl to do? The first thing we did was eat amazing food! AMAZING cheese, bread and beverages!   Then we ventured off into the city. We walked along the beautiful narrow streets. Surrounded by old buildings, flowers, green grass, the sound of spanish ringing in my ears. Everything about it was beautiful! I c Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=ipod-at-ransom http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=ipod-at-ransom As I mentioned in my previous blog, my team and I were in Mozambique for the past 10 days. We were helping a guy named Don at an Iris center that he runs. There are about 10 guys that live at the center. Recently, there was a guy that got kicked out of the center because he was stealing from Don. He was sent to jail, and then Don bailed him out and told him that he would continue to help him, but he could not live on the base anymore. On Sunday we were all at church-about a 5 minute walk Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=the-women-in-my-life-part-1 http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=the-women-in-my-life-part-1 My Mom: When God first laid it on my heart to write this blog I was overwhelmed with the idea, because there is so much to say about my mom and I am finding it difficult to articulate exactly what I'm thinking. It's hard to put into words how much this one woman has completely shaped my life throughout the past 23 years. We all have mothers-some great and some not so great. God has blessed me with an exceptionally great mother. They say you can't choose your parents, and I'm glad for that b Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=mozambique http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=mozambique My team and I just returned from our venture across the border to Mozambique. It was quite exciting to say the least. There is a guy named Don from the States there, and he heads up an Iris base in Masaka. At his base he helps young men get reentered into the "real world" after being brought up in various orphanages. He teaches them life skills, and helps them in their decisions for their carriers. There is a guy there that is going to school for engineering, and Don is helping him through sch Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=team-ignite-just-got-a-little-more-awesome http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=team-ignite-just-got-a-little-more-awesome When we came to Africa there was a guy from Texas named Mike, and with him he had a girl named Tracey (we call her Traday so we don't confuse the other Traci). Her original plans were to stay in Africa with Gary Black and his family until June, and do mission work with them. Now that the Blacks have to go back home to the states sooner than they anticipated, Treday didn't know what that meant for her. She spent all month with us in Nsoko, and pretty much fit in with our team instantly. After pra Wed, 12 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=god-save-this-dying-nation http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=god-save-this-dying-nation This morning at 5:15am we get the phone call any person would dread. Molly answers the phone, and on the voice on the other end says-"I'm sorry, but baby Moses has passed away." They said he just suddenly stopped breathing, and that was it. There were two girls from another AIM team there with him. Immediately after the phone call we wake up the rest of our teammates to tell them the news,and to pray about what must happen next. Tons of questions rushing through my mind. Why has this happened? W Tue, 4 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=baby-update http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=baby-update The baby-Moses we are calling him now-is doing better every day! We have had him for about 2 weeks now, and he has gained about one pound since he's been with us. His mother has signed over indefinate custody of him to us. We took him from Nsoko to Manzini yesterday so he could go to a nutritionist. The mother has been diagnosed with TB. Moses is too small to be checked, but the doctors said he's more likely to have pnumonia. He has been admitted into the hospital for observation. We are taking Mon, 3 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=how-can-i-love-one-boy-so-much http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=how-can-i-love-one-boy-so-much one mother. five children. no father. and a disease that kills millions of people a year. I climbed into the backseat of our kombi after a long morning at the care point, expecting a semi-normal answer to the question, How was your day today?' when I turned to our ministry contact Pastor Gift. He replies "We got a baby today". We got a baby today? I said back to him a bit confused. He proceeds to tell me a story that ends up with my team and I caring for the tiniest, most amazing, Sat, 23 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=nsoko-africa http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=nsoko-africa RRRRRRROOOOAAAAAAHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!That's the sound that I wake up from several times a night, and hear all throughout the day. That's what I get for staying in a tent 50 yards away from two LIONS!!!! Yes that's rightLIONS! My team and I are staying at a game reserve in Nsoko, and it's amazing!! Not only are we finally using our tents after five months, but we are sleeping next to lions, and wake up to several ostrich's in our camp site every morning. There have also been snakes Fri, 15 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=the-face-of-africa http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=the-face-of-africa Africa, a place where many people long to go their entire lives. They have many images and ideas in their minds of what it looks like, smells like and feels like. It's something that people look at in National Geographic magazines and on T.V, but they never think they could actually be there one day. Well I was not one of these people. Don't get me wrong, I always thought Africa was beautiful and admired it when I saw it in magazines and such, but I never thought to myself that it was somewher Wed, 6 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=africa http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=africa After a gruling 26 hours of travel from Hong Kong-I made it to Swaziland, Africa!!! I never thought I would be here. All I can say to describe how I'm feeling asthetically is that I feel as though I have stepped into a National Geographic magazine! It's absolutely beautiful here-and that includes the people!!! My team and I are here for about one week going through some teachings and stretchings from amazing leaders and staff from AIM that are based out here in Swazi. Then we will be moving Mon, 28 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=we-made-it http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=we-made-it Just a quick note to tell you all that we are back in Hong Kong!! PRAISE GOD!!!!!!! We had an amazing time where we were, but it's good to be back... We fly out tomorrow night to head to Johanasburg, Africa. Please pray for safe travel. Be sure to stay tuned for my updates from this month and pictures! Thank you for all your prayers!! They were felt :) Tue, 22 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=what-thats-amazing http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=what-thats-amazing Christmas 2007=8 days on the beach+in the Philippines+WONDERFUL people+AMAZING time with my LordI came into the debrief/Christmas break knowing that God had something amazing planned. I thought this was kind of strange, because I don't like the beach all that much and I was going to be away from my family for Christmas. But I said OK God. If you want to do something amazing, go for it! I'm here, and I'll be used how ever You want me to. Right away I felt like the Lord was telling me, Megan I wan Tue, 1 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=pray-pray-pray http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=pray-pray-pray My team and I leave tomorrow to go to our next ministry location. This is a big one, because where we'll be is a closed, communist country. We won't be able to say the words Jesus, God, missionary, praise the Lord, pray, bible, church...it goes on and on.For the entire month of January we will not have access to internet, or anything that would connect us outside the country. This is for safety purposes for us and our ministry contacts within the country. This is a time that my team and I will n Tue, 1 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=china-overview http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=china-overview   Imagine your life lived in a box with duct tape over your mouth. Imagine not being able to profess your beliefs for risk of being disowned by your family, put in prison or even killed.   As "westerners" we were assumed to be Christians, so we were allowed to have one personal Bible (but no journal, unless you bought it there unused). My team and I were blessed because we were in an area that we didn't have to be so careful about what we said, as far as Christian lingo: Jesus, God Tue, 1 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=so-long-farewell http://megandunegan.theworldrace.org/?filename=so-long-farewell Someone asked me today, if I could sum up the month in the Philippines with one word what would it be? I stopped to think for a minute, and then the word 'intense' came out of my mouth. I think that's a pretty good word to describe how I feel about this past month. It started thinking about our first day in Bacolod. We went to a TB clinic to visit with children and adults that are suffering with this disease. It was a very surreal time. We didn't know these people at all, yet I felt such a str Fri, 21 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT