http://dennisho.theworldrace.org Dennis Ho - The World Race 2008 en-us Tue, 9 Feb 2010 05:46:16 GMT 30 http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=panajachel-video http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=panajachel-video Here is a video Neil made about our last month ministry in Panajachel, Guatemala.  Enjoy!!   Sat, 8 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=german-lesson http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=german-lesson 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 Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=secret-universal-language http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=secret-universal-language 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 friendshi Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=being-refined-by-god-literally http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=being-refined-by-god-literally 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! Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=lament-part-34 http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=lament-part-34 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) Mon, 16 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=lament-part-44 http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=lament-part-44  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.   &nbsp Mon, 16 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=whats-going-on-with-dennis http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=whats-going-on-with-dennis 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.   Mon, 16 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=the-mega-power-exploded http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=the-mega-power-exploded 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.     Mon, 16 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=remnant-my-new-team http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=remnant-my-new-team 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 sm Mon, 16 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=back-to-the-concrete-forest http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=back-to-the-concrete-forest Normal 0 false false false EN-US ZH-TW X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-style-parent:""; line-height:115%; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; 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 Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=the-tunnel-project http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=the-tunnel-project Normal 0 false false false EN-US ZH-TW X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-style-parent:""; line-height:115%; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; 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 brigh Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=starting-point-philippines http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=starting-point-philippines Normal 0 false false false EN-US ZH-TW X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-style-parent:""; line-height:115%; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; 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 smi Sun, 12 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=new-faith-family-childrens-home http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=new-faith-family-childrens-home Normal 0 false false false EN-US ZH-TW X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-style-parent:""; line-height:115%; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; 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 (sometime Sun, 12 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=augustseptember-update http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=augustseptember-update Normal 0 false false false EN-US ZH-TW X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-style-parent:""; line-height:115%; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; 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' Tue, 9 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=team-dunamis http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=team-dunamis 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 Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=haiku http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=haiku 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 Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=take-up-my-cross http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=take-up-my-cross   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.  Fri, 15 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=training-camp http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=training-camp 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. Thu, 7 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=6944B85B413E4A4EA589FD777B819F http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=6944B85B413E4A4EA589FD777B819F 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 -       &nbsp Tue, 29 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=lament-part-24 http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=lament-part-24 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) Wed, 9 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=i-believe http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=i-believe 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 Wed, 2 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=lament-part-14 http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=lament-part-14 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]) Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=tentative-race-route http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=tentative-race-route Here are the tentative destinations for our adventurous journey this coming year. I cant wait! Please note this is subject to change because we want to be open for the Lords leading and be available to response when urgent need arise. Launch Date: September 28th 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)   Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=junejuly-update http://dennisho.theworldrace.org/?filename=junejuly-update 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 AIMs 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 wouldnt 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 parents 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 speed Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT