Dennis Ho - The World Race 2008

Panajachel - Video

Sat, 8 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Here is a video Neil made about our last month ministry in Panajachel, Guatemala. Enjoy!!

German Lesson

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Many people have asked me what I have learned in Cologne, Germany. After a deep thought, here is my conclusion.

First, I have learned a group of Christ followers who are so in love with Jesus that they are willing to leave their country, their jobs, and/or their friends to go to a very dark area where Jesus called them to be the salt and the light.

Second, I have learned a group of Christ followers who valued the importance of community living and love for each other that they are willing to sacrifice the short commute to work or to school and choose to live close to each other so they can build a long lasting relationship together.

Third, I have learned a group of Christ followers who are so passionate about sharing their love for Jesus to the next generation of youth that they are giving up their valuable family time to go out and bring God's Kingdom to them.

Thank you to all the members of Die Brcke for this valuable lesson. Love and Miss you all!

Secret Universal Language

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

After 10 months of travelling around the world, I have visited many countries and each country has their own unique languages. As we stayed at each country, it was inevitable to pick up a few words and phrases to communicate with the locals. However, I have discovered a secret unique universal language that I was able to communicate with people in every country I visited.

You want to know what it is? Here it is.

Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo, Arsenal, Cesc Fabregas, Real Madrid, Kaka, etc.

The secret universal language is soccer.

Every time I speak out these soccer lingual, instantly you will see a passionate expression out of the person's face. Whether they support the same team you do or not, they will love to talk with you about everything from the skills of a team to the hair style of individual players.

It's just amazing to see how God uses a passion of mine and turn it into a language of building friendships around the world.

Being Refined By God ... Literally

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Here are some pictures of us visiting a volcano in Guatemala.

Please continue to pray for us as we share the love of Jesus to Guatemala!

Lament - Part 3/4

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

One Second Departure

One second departure

My love for you will not expire

Together or apart

You have vanish into thin air

I have many things to tell you

If not today then there will be some other time

I can tell you all about it another day

All I really want is to say how are you?

It is at the tip of my tongue

But I didn't release it

I am thinking

I am hoping

But it's impossible to tell the sun to set from the east

source

(Lyrics: Takenation/Across U-hub)

Lament - Part 4/4

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I have been carrying a yellow ribbon with me for months now. It is to remember and symbolize the people that are lost and are affected by the earthquake in Sichuan, China. I can still remember the photographs of the pains and lost on the internet. The horrible disaster that took lives away from families. Houses are now a pile of rebel. Dreams have been shattered.

Knowing I will be going to China in November, I was hoping to be able to go visit the epicenter or the temporary housing area where the victims are living. Even though that didn't happened, I did get some encouraging news about the rebuild and recoveries happening in the area. Furthermore, I heard The Message of Hope is spreading and Homes are forming rapidly within the areas. Praise the Lord.

Every lament will need to end in order for hope to return. For myself, I have finally let go of my yellow ribbon because it is time to pray for joy to return to Sichuan.

What's Going On With Dennis?

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

First of all, I want to apologize to all who has followed me on my blog, especially to all the moms of Dunamis. For the past few months, I have been hiding from everyone because I have been trying to balance my race life from traveling around the world, living in a community life, doing ministry plus, and finding time the process what has been happening. I also have to admit, I was a bit lazy on my part as well to do any blogging. I apologize to all.

Right now, I'm doing well and ready to get back into blogging mode and write out some blogs again.

I'm currently in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, doing ministries in an area called Mbagala. People in this community are usually squatters and 95% of the residents are Islam in faith. Please continue to pray for us.

The Mega Power Exploded

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

After 4 months of amazing life with the Dunamis family, our squad had a team shuffle in our last debrief. Two of my teammates, Sara and Brenda, have move to another team. My brother Ben has move to a new team with a new role as the team leader. The other teammates, Carly, Bev, and Neil, are still on my team, but it is not the same as the Dunamis era has come to an end. I miss Sara, Brenda, and Ben dearly.

Here is a video that Sara made for Dunamis.

Remnant - My New Team

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Here is a blog that is written by my new teammate Erin Winget about our new team Remnant. Erin Winget is an intellegent woman of God, who has an amazing gift of leadership and gift of discernment which can bring the team to a new level.

A lot of things have changed this debrief including our teams! We were aware that there would probably be changes for our teams because squad leaders must be appointed from within the squad so that our current squad leader, Allison, who has been on the race before, could phase out and the squad can become more self-reliant. The whole process is intentional and with our spiritual growth in mind so even though thinking about the idea of changing teams was a little intimidating, our whole squad was aware that our leaders weren't just picking names out of a hat, they were consciously placing us where we could grow. So allow me to introduce my new team!

TEAM REMNANT

remnant ˈremnənt
noun
a small remaining quantity of something.
a piece of cloth or carpeting left when the greater part has been used or sold.
a surviving trace : a remnant of the past.
Christian Theology a small minority of people who will remain faithful to God and so be saved (in allusion to biblical prophecies concerning Israel).
adjective [ attrib. ]
remaining : remnant strands of hair.
ORIGIN Middle English : contraction of obsolete remenant, from Old French, from remenoir, remanoir remain.'

NEIL BRUINSMA: Our fearless leader. Formerly of team Dunamis, Neil is a strong man of God who is sensitive to the Spirit and willing to face any challenge with a steady persistence.

DENNIS HO: My logistics partner in crime! Dennis is a gifted man that will shepherd our team well. He has so much wisdom and knowledge to share.

BEV RHOADES: Bev and I were close from the beginning of training camp and both had a feeling that we'd end up together eventually. She has a great prophetic calling on her life that God is refining and purifying.

CARLY FARVER: Carly is a woman of God with a powerful gift of intercession and a strong voice for her generation. I am so excited to see how God is going to use her in the next seven months!

JESSICA MCVEY: Jess is one of my former teammates and I am so excited that I get to continue my relationship with her as a teammate. She has strong discernment and a passion for Scripture. God has truly written His Word on her heart.

MICHELLE MCDONALD: Michelle is another one of my former teammates. She is strongly gifted in the prophetic and the more she walks in it the more she comes alive. She also hears God's voice strongly in her artwork and God has gifted her with a relational heart that seeks the lost.

I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am to be a part of Team Remnant. No doubt God has great things ahead for us. Please pray for us as we get to know eachother, learn more about our team identity and seek God's face as a body.

Back to the Concrete Forest

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

As I stepped off the plane and placed my first foot into Hong Kong, there was an uneasy feeling. This feeling was weird because I'm finally back to my place of birth, yet I didn't feel like I'm back home. Last time I was in Hong Kong was 12 years ago. Since then, everything has changed. Buildings are taller and newer, MRT system is more advance, and even the airport is on its own island now. My world is being collided by the past and the present.

As I walked around the city, I felt very strange. I was surrounded with all Chinese people. I was able to use zero word of English everywhere I go. Everything was so strange. The strangest part was I once view Hong Kong as the Pearl of the East has now faded away.

Sitting on the Star Ferry to go across Victoria Harbour was amazing. The skyline view of Hong Kong at night was breathtaking. But deep in my heart, I felt sad. I felt this spectacular view is masking the true identity of the city. Behind the tall amazing buildings lies a concrete forest. This forest is filled with brokenness and emptiness.

People in the forest need Christ.

After some time of reflection, I finally realized this uneasy strange feeling is from the Lord. This is because for the first time I'm coming into Hong Kong not as Chinese, not as Canadian, but as a citizen of Kingdom.

The Tunnel Project

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

One of my main ministry projects in Philippines is the Tunnel Project. The Tunnel Project is a shortcut pathway which the children use to go to school from the children's home.

This path is filled with garbage, broken glasses, and manure. The smell is awful. In rainy days, the path will be a mud slide and soils will be eradicated, making it very difficult for people to walk in. This path is also home to some squatter families and it is one of their main roads to get around.

Team Karis, with the help of Team Dunamis and many others, decided to build a concrete path in the Tunnel. Day by day, we started to clear out the garbage, made the path wider, cut out the tall plants and grass to make it brighter, and smoothed out the road so there will be not potholes. At the end, we poured down the concrete a bucket at a time. By the grace and the power of God, we finished the project in 5 days.

We pray as the people and children are walking along this pathway, God will be with them to protect them and keep them safe in morning or at night.

Praise God for the Tunnel!

Please see the video about the Tunnel Project by Team Karis

Starting Point - Philippines

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I have been in the Philippines for over a week now, but it still hasn't sunk in The World Race has started. Maybe the contacts we have here treating us so well that I didn't feel home sick or I have been preparing for this moment for so long that I'm glad it is finally happening.

My ministry this month is to serve the people here in Cuatro, Manila. Cuatro is a community of roughly 800 families with 700 of them is squatters. Squatters are people who inhabit on a property that doesn't belong to them. That means they are constantly living with a fear of being force out by the land owners.

In the midst of this surrounding, you can find beauty on the smile of the street kids running around the streets, the ladies who are greeting us every day as we are passing by, or the gentlemen who gives us a friendly help when we are in need.

Please help me by praying for God's love to be poured out onto this community as we are staying here for the month. Blessings.

New Faith Family Children's Home

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Jeff Long is an incredible man of God who following His heart by moving his entire family to serve the orphans and street kids in Philippines. His ministry, Kids International Ministry (K.I.M), gives life to the next generation by showing them the love of Christ in a safe and healthy environment.

New Faith Family Children's Home which was established in 2005, is currently serving over 30 children in their facilities. Their age goes from toddlers to teenagers. I have the opportunity to serve the children there and each and every one of them is an amazing child. They are filled with energy and joy. Their smiles are so infectious that it's hard to get mad at them (sometimes).

I have no doubt in my mind these children will grow up in to amazing men and women of God. They are the hope of the nation.

To learn more about this ministry. Go to http://kidsinternationalministries.org/

August/September Update

Tue, 9 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Financial Update

It is truly God's blessings to have provided me with all the financial support that I needed. As of beginning of September, I have raised $13700 + $1200 (pledged) + $2300 (Gifts) = $17200. This means I have REACHED my GOAL of $16500!!

Thank You all for your support!

Current Status

First of all, I want to apologies for not updating on my current status for awhile. It has been very hectic for me of the last few weeks before my launch. My parent's house (while I have been living in) is sold and I moved all my stuff into storage. At the end, everything ended in a good note and I'm ready for the coming year to be the hands and feet for Christ. I'm currently staying at LAX right now with my teammates waiting for our flight to Philippines. I'll continue to update once I get there.

Prayer Request

- Praise for my parent's house is sold before my departure

- Praise for all the people that show their hospitality to me over the last few months

- Pray for safety and protection as my teammates and I are travelling to our first destination, Philippines.

Thank you all for your prayers!

Pictures of the Month

Boyz of Chattahoochee - Deet,Me,Reet,Kidd Family in Alpharetta

Rett,Kelly,Anita,Me,Richard,Deet,Kreusten (missing Chip and Mike)

Team Dunamis

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

My awesome teammate, Carly, wrote about the team that I will be spending time with for the coming year. It's so amazing the way she described how we came up with our name that I have to share it with you all. Enjoy!

We sat around the table at Outback and threw out ideas. Team 7 needed a name. After 2 days of intense ups and downs in team building, much prayer, thought and meetings by the AIM staff, we had been pieced together into a wondrous tapestry (yes, cheesiness intended). Seriously, there are 7 of us, 3 men and 4 women, and they will be my family for the next year, and basically for life. We will eat, sleep, do ministry, see the world, challenge, love and fight with one another. I couldn't have asked for better people to do this all with.

But a name. Thursday night we were focused on getting a team name. And despite various distractions (I mean the bathrooms had soap for crying out loud, you'd visit them twice too) we had some good ideas: a name which encapsulated the power and authority of God, the idea of sparking a flame, awaking our generation, being a light, chosen by God to go to the nations.

We didn't get one though. We left Outback and after deciding we didn't have enough time to stop at a graveyard to raise the dead (we were supposed to make a memory), we headed back to camp. At camp though, Brenda came forth with a Greek word that she had written in her journal weeks prior.

The word means:
Inherent power--power for performing miracles--excellence of soul--power consisting in or resting upon armies, forces, host--"mighty works... actual actions and achievements of such magnitude that they inspire a sense of wonder in others"--"chosen vessel... to do the father's will...It is not static. Once this power is set in motion, it continues to move, work, and accomplish." (click for source)

The word encompassed everything we were thinking about and the word is found in Acts 1:8

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

So we accepted this Greek word and without further adieu (yes, please do a drumroll on a nearby table)... Introducing...
Team... DUNAMIS!!!!!! (if you didn't get the full effect, do it again and yell out DUNAMIS!!!! like a gladiator war cry, trust me)

We will be filled with the Dunamis (Power) of the Spirit and by God's will are going out to witness to the nations.

This is Team Dunamis.

And this is probably closer to the truth...

If you want to know more about my new family, Carly also wrote an awesome blog about each of the family member. You can read it HERE.

Sweet Sorrow

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Training camp was my first time meeting up with my new family. Even though I didn't get a chance to know everyone deeply, I still love them all. I can't explain why I felt this way; maybe it's the love of Christ that binds us all together. And maybe that is why it hurts so much to see members of the family leaving the group no matter what the reason is. Underneath this sorrow, I know God has an amazing plan for each and everyone of them. Whatever that might be, I know it will be something that is beautiful and brings glory to the King.

In the midst of my sadness, I want to do something to describe my feelings. Somehow my heart is telling me to write a Haiku poem. This is weird because I'm not a poetry person and its my first attempt of writing a poem since junior high. Anyway, I hope it captures what I want to say.

This is for all the family members who have parted ways with us.

Heart sob on goodbyes

Obedience takes courage

Love always Blessings

Once a G squad ... Forever a G squad!

Take Up My Cross

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

At camp, one of the exercises we are asked to do is to have a surrender walk into the woods. Before we engage in this walk, we are given a piece of log and are asked to write down things that we have not surrendered to the Lord. For myself, I wrote down three words: Gifts, Heart, and Desires.

Gifts are the skills and talents God has given me from leadership to sports to eating a piece of sushi the proper way (Yes! There is a proper way). All these gifts I want to surrender back to the Lord because I know I haven't use them properly or I used it for my own ego and pride or I even hid them because I didn't want the responsibilities or the pain it has inflicted on me from the past.

Heart is the things that I love. I love sports, news, TV, coffee and tea ... did I mention sushi? Even though these love that I have comes from the Lord, sometimes it has become my idols.

Desires are the things I want or things that I'm striving to achieve in life. Waterfront condo, high paid job, and luxury cars are some of the things that I strived to achieve since I was a child. However, I know I have to abandon my desires in order to pursue Him.

After being commission by one of the camp leaders, I began my journey into the woods, trekking through the rugged road in a slow pace. This slow walk gave me time to have a conversation with God and He used it to mold me and to shape me. At times, I was afraid to let go of my control, but the Lord comforted me and I surrendered my control to Him.

One point in the trail, Jane (a leader) was sitting down at a bench, giving each passerby a Bible verse. She gave me the following verse from Luke 14:26-27

26 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters-yes, even his own life-he cannot be my disciple. 27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple."

Hearing the words just confirmed the purpose of my walk.

At the end of the trail, we are asked to place our logs on top of a platform where a cross laid. As I got closer to the platform I felt the present of God asking me will I take up my cross. So I placed down my log at the foot of the cross and prayed to Him with an answer Yes, I will take up my cross. But I felt it wasn't enough just to say it in words. So I got up, picked up the cross, and walked up and down the platform three times which symbolized the surrender of my gifts, my heart, and my desires to God and pick up the responsibility of His gifts, His heart, and His desires.

A new season of my life has begun.

Training Camp

Thu, 7 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

To me, training means prepare. This week, I am at training camp being prepare by a group of amazing leaders before we launch into the world. Before we start any team building process, we first have to be strip down to release any chains that is attached on us. When I say chains, it means chains of grief, pain, and expectations on the race. Basically, we have to be broken before we can allow God to work within us.

For the first time every, I have cry more within 5 days than my entire life. I can truly said I am free and at peace with Christ.

July/August Update

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Financial Update

Thank you all for supporting me in this cause. As of July, I have raised $11600 + $1350 (pledged) = $12950. This means:

I have raised 94% of AIM's Target of $13800

This also means:

I have raised 79% of Dennis' Target of $16500

Thank You!

Current Status

The house will finally be put up on sale in the coming weeks. I have been scrabbling to get the house to look "presentable" for potential buyers. All I can say is MADNESS!

On August 2nd to 10th, I will be in Gainesville, Georgia, for the World Race training camp. I will finally get to meet all my teammates and leaders! I'm so excited. But at the same time, I'm a bit scared because I don't know what to expect at the camp. I'm sure this will be an awesome experience.

Prayer Request

- Praise God for a speedy recovery for my thigh

- Pray for my parent's house will be able to sell quickly

- Pray for wisdom to manage my time more efficiently. I have a lot of issues that need to be resolve before I can go on the race

- Pray for protection as my teammates and I are under spiritual attacks. Also pray for our readiness as we are concerning with our preparations

- Pray for emotional and spiritual recovery for the World Race Jan 08 team as they are robbed at gun point in South Africa the pass week. Also pray for their safety as they are in India now

- Pray for a little friend of mine who recently admitted to a children hospital with continuous fever. Pray that God will place His healing hands upon him

Thank you all for your prayers!

Pictures of the Month

My city! Beautiful Game!

Lament - Part 2/4

Wed, 9 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

IT'S LOVE

I look around the world

There is fear There is pain

I search around for answers

Nothing makes sense

More than this

I wish I can share with you

What I believe

It's the best thing

I've ever came across

So much truth So much

It's love that makes me smile

It's love that makes me warm

It's love that makes me

Believe that life is worth a living

It's love that makes me cry

It's love that makes me strong

It's love that makes me

Believe that life is worth to carry on

source

(lyrics: leungjo/Across U-hub)

I Believe

Wed, 2 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Last November, God introduced me to a new friend named David. My first impression of David is a well-builded young man with a big heart. He is the type of person who will do anything to help out a friend. To sum it up, David is amazing!

One night, David shared about his testimony and it broke my heart. I couldn't imagine a person who puts up a constant smile on his face would carry such a deep scar of pain and suffering from the past.

David lost his father at the age of eight. Along with his siblings, he was physical abused by his mother. By the age of nine, he decided to run off to the streets of Nairobi and became a street kid. The main reason for his departure: searching for love.

In the cruel streets of Nairobi, only the fittest would be able to survive. David knew it would take whatever it is necessary to live another day. Stealing food, smoking marijuana, sniffing glues, and fighting were some of his daily routines. He would constantly worry about being abused by the police or gang raped by the older kids for fun. Life on the streets was a living hell.

One day, David received an invitation that changed his life forever. A man has invited him to go and live at his home. David accepted his invitation and began a life of transformation.

The incredible man who gave David this generous offer is Charles Mully. Charles is a faithful Christ follower who was a street kid turned successful businessman. From listening to God's calling, Charles sold all his possessions and channeled all his resources into a children's home for street kids and orphans. At the children's home, every child received food, shelter, education, and most importantly, love.

Because of this unconditional love, David went on to university and graduated in social work. He is now a social worker working at a children's home, taking care of the children who were in his shoes before. He even goes back out into the community to build connection with the street kids. He is showering the love of Christ upon the little ones.

I used to ask the question how we can help millions of people who are suffering around the world today. I am just one person, what can I do?

I believe God answered my question through David. I believe the answer is the power of one. It is enough to pour out our hearts to one person. That one person can turn into hundreds, thousands, and even millions. One is enough.

One is enough.

Lament - Part 1/4

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

CRACK

The light blue sky vanished suddenly in a flash

Life stories were flashing back and forth in the mind

There was only a gap, nothing could be seen

Only rubbles left over closely accompanied by the side

The tranquil earth said nothing but shook fiercely

In the crack the remaining sunlight became too far away

Could not move, could not shout, nothing can be done

Each tear was dried out slowly by the sunlight

Stretch out our hands, heal the wounded heart

Take courage, never give up until the end

We seek for hope in the crack

Hand in hand, we continue our journey

Source

(Photo 1: STR/Reuters)

(Photo 2: AP Photo/Oded Bality)

(Lyrics: Desmond Lo/Across U-hub [English Translation])

Tentative Race Route

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Here are the tentative destinations for our adventurous journey this coming year. I can't wait! Please note this is subject to change because we want to be open for the Lord's leading and be available to response when urgent need arise.

Launch Date: September 28^th 2008 at Los Angeles, California.

October: Philippines

November: China

December: Kenya

January: Uganda

February: Ethiopia/Other

March: India

April: Romania

May: Serbia/Bosnia/Other

June: Mexico

July/August: Guatemala/Nicaragua/Other

View Larger Map

(Thanks to my teammate Sharon Price for setting up the google map)

June/July Update

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Financial Update

First and foremost, from the bottom of my heart, I want to thank all who have provided me with support through prayers and donations. Currently, I have raised $9303. This means:

I have raised 67% of AIM's Target of $13800

This also means:

I have raised 56% of Dennis' Target of $16500

Thank You!

Current Status

After wrapping up with my involvement in City Mosaic 2008, I have a bit more free time to prepare for the World Race. Currently, I started to do some light work out. However, I hit a roadblock when I injured my right thigh during a softball game. As a result, I wouldn't be able to do any running for at least 2 weeks.

Another issue that is taking time away from my training is my living situation. My parent's house will be put up on the market very soon. This means I have to do a lot of cleaning and moving things around. Hopefully everything can go smoothly.

Prayer Request

- Pray for a speedy recovery for my thigh

- Pray for my parent's house will be able to sell quickly

- Pray for wisdom to manage my time more efficiently

- Pray for my teammates and myself as we are currently under spiritual attacks. Also pray for our raising support

- Pray for my uncle who recently diagnosed with cancer. Pray that God will give him strength as he undergoes treatment and also provide comfort for the family as they are going through the rough times

Pictures of the Month

CM2008 Core Team Love You Guys!!! Me and my MC partner Amanda