I must say... it's hard to live in the here and now when you´re coming to the end of a journey like the one we've been on. Thoughts of the future and what lies ahead dominate my thoughts these days. I don't think I've check out necessarily, but rather, it just seems easier to think about the future right now. Right now I just feel exhausted.

We've been away for almost ten months now. When I think about it, it's not that long of a time. But it feels like so much has been packed into these last ten month. So many different experiences, so many different journeys, so many different relationships. It's crazy when I think about it. One of the hardest things for me this year has been the continuous cycle of initiating and terminating relationships. The amount of time we have with each contact is just enough time to finally be comfortable around a person, but not enough time to get to know them really well. I would be considered an extrovert... but I have always had a hard time initiating relationships. Once the ball gets rolling I do a lot better. The first few days however, those crucial first magical moments, are often times moments I rather dread. The continuous saying hello and goodbye has taken its toll on me. Our team has done pretty well when it comes to being in community with contacts, and getting to know them well in the short time we have. It has been a huge blessing. But we don't seem to go into places anymore with the same eagerness to dive into the culture and the people that we are around.

So now I find myself in Panama. The people here are incredible. We are staying with a family on the floor of their living room. It can be tight at times, and it's hard to find a place to be alone. The first day we stayed with a pastor who offered to house us the whole time in an even smaller house. They actually moved their two kids into their own bedroom so we would have room to stay. It blows me away. We offer to put up our tents, but they insist we don't. We offer to pay them some money but they don't want to take it. We offer to cook them food, but they insist that they cook because they love to cook. They tell us we can clean the dishes. We eventually moved into the pastor´s parent´s house which is bigger, and we cook our own meals, and meals for a bunch of other people. But still the people here are incredible. My natural reaction to such hospitality and kindness is to insist that I be the one to be hospitable and kind. Often times I feel unworthy of such kindness and service. I feel I must do something to earn it. But usually there is nothing I can do. And when I force myself to do something, I find that I take something away from the people who are so eager to serve. If I insist that we cook, they are grateful, yes, but really they love to cook. I take that away from them. If I insist that we are intruding on their home, and we decide to find a hotel or hostel to stay at instead, I rob them of the very things that they love to do. That is simply part of them. And I would miss out on the community that I could have had with them. Why on earth do I want to stop this? I think I know some of the answers. It's what we are told we have to do to be successful in America. We have to be independent. We want to be a self made men. It's is completely opposite to the Christian message though. Completely opposite to the way we were made to be.

So what is my response to be. All I can do is be grateful, and thank God for the people he places us with. Thank God for calling Christians to be such people. These Christians actually make me want to be like them. They make me want to open my heart and my home to whoever I come in contact with. Whether they are Christians or not, whether they speak my language or not. Or whether its a bit of a burden or not, I know I want to be like them because I know how it changes me and the way I think. Hopefully I can also make it my life as well. I have been reading a lot of Old Testament lately. Time and time again God tells his people to take care of the widows and orphans... and the foreigner. You never know how you affect someone's life by being a servant. It speaks more words, without even opening your mouth, than practically any deep profound conversation you could have. I want this in my life.

So continues the theme my year. When I am tired, God picks me up. When I am failing, God reassures me. When I feel weak, God places people in my life that are so ridiculously incredible that I can't help but be changed by them.

Faith never knows where it is being led,

But it knows and loves the one who is leading.

-- Oswald Chambers

Oh Oswald, thou doth speaketh to me...

So I find myself in a place that I have never been nor could have imagined being. It is a place all together unfamiliar to me as I only thought it possible in dreams or in church sermons. As I type this I can hardly keep from smiling...reawakened I suppose to a immense sense of peace and zest for life that seems much more permanent than it ever has before. It's beginning to permeate every part of my life. Every conversation, every embrace, everything I do seems to radiate with a sense of the presence of the Divine, picking me up, dusting me off, and guiding me through he next step. For what feels like the first time in my life I feel at peace for I know the Lord is walking with me. For the first time in my life I feel like I actually trust God and what he is doing here and now, and I look with nothing but sheer excitement for what he has in store for the future. And that's the funny thing. The future is looking completely different than any of my previous dreams could have conjured, and I'm sure they will continue to change. I am actually sure that God can and will give to the ones he loves more than they could ask or imagine.

So I find myself in a place knowing what I have seemed to know for as long as God has been in my life... but there is something more now. Something that has been missing but now seems so essential and crucial. I have always known the Lord gives and takes away. I have always known that Satan comes to steal kill and destroy abundant life in Christ. But I haven't always been so sure that there is peace on the other end. I haven't always been so sure that I am resting in the arms of a Father that loves me beyond belief. I haven't always had this sense that no matter what happens... God's goodness and love always prevails. Whether it be through pain, hardships, abandonment, doubting, confusion, incredible blessing, euphoria... whatever the situation may be, God's goodness and love will prevail. Whether it immediate, whether it's years from now, whether it's in this life or in the next... something tells me that God's goodness and love will prevail.

So I find myself in a season of knowing God is what He promises to be. A season of knowing the things I hope for, and certain of the things I simply cannot see. I know not where I am going, but I can't seem to stop being enamored with the mystery of the one who is clearly in the lead. Every new day brings an abundance of endless possibilities, and new songs on my lips sing of what the Lord is doing or has accomplished.

From my journal at the beginning of the race

9/3/07 9AM

God will you reveal yourself to me when the time is right? Should I be questioning my relationship with you? Do you hear my prayers? Am I even really praying this or is it just lip motion? And if you are hearing me what must I do to get close to you? Must I speak in tongues and heal people while dancing and skipping about? Show me what true relationship is for me Lord and help me to live that out every day. I pray I have so many experiences this year I could write a book on them. I pray by the end of the year I will know you like I have never known you before. I pray that you exceed my greatest hopes and desires. I pray you show me who I am, show me how to love, and show me where I hurt. Show me that life with you is the only thing I need. Help me to clear away distractions and focus on you like I have never done before.

Test me God, so my faith in you will be forged stronger. Test me to see that I won't do anything for you if I know that's where you are leading me. Confide in me God and I will go.

9/3/07 11AM

I must say... I'm sad that the last season of my life is over. No longer I am in College and I must now move onto a new unfamiliar season. In the last four years God has grown me through uncertainty and defeat, good times and and not so good ones. I'm gonna miss being with my family, being with friends, and with the ones I have come to love so much. I will miss my brother. I will miss my mom and dad.. I will miss my youth group and being with Ryan.

However, I trust what God has in store for me will be more that I could ask or imagine... while at the same times I am thankful for the times the last season has given me. Prepare my heart God for this next season. May the trails and hardships that I experience be ever so insignificant compared to my love and dependence on you.

So when I look at it, this year is becoming more and more and answer to prayers that I have had before... but rarely believed. As I move forward the future becomes brighter. As I draw closer I come to love and trust more. My life is not the same right now, and everyday I'm reassured that it will never be the same. It will only be greater than I ask or imagine... because I am with the Lord, and His goodness and love always prevail. Life is so sweet , when Jesus is your leader.

One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving. Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done.

(Psa 62:11-12)

I havehad some people ask me to write more blogs about what we are doing with other people... not just about how my heart is. So although God is doing a lot in my heart right now, so I feel like I have a lot more to write about... we did have a lot of good ministry in Africa.

Here is a brief overview...

We started our journey in Mozambique with a missionary couple named Jaco and Maria Randolph. We added another member to our team for the month in the form of a rad 14 year old man named Michael Black. The seven of us and Jaco's family lived in the bush near a lake just outside of a town named Vilanculous. It was amazing. We were able to help Jaco show the Passion for hundreds of people in two different places. At the end of each showing we shared testimonies and prayed with people to receive Christ. We were also able to spend a few nights at an Orphanage in the bush. The kids live in two tents and cook rice and beans twice a day over a fire. Our hearts went out to these kids. You can check out Jaco and Maria's web site (http://www.mozambique-orphans.co.za) to get more info as they have a lot of plans but little money to put the kids in a better living environment. We were also able to preach at a lot of churches and share what God has been laying on our hearts.

Next we moved on to Nsoko, Swaziland. Our team split up in groups of two and we lived in three different homes with Swazi families. During the day we would help at Care Points which are buildings set up to provided basic education and meals to some of the local children who are in need. The guys were pulled of the homesteads early in order to help set up a massive revival tent which was set up to dedicate a new church plant and community center. We also worked to help the church plant pastor named Gift prepare for the revivals. On Easter Sunday some five hundred people showed up to the dedication of the community center and the ordination of Pastor Gift. We killed a cow (a 7 mile, 4 hours, fun filled morning) which fed all the people. The new Church is doing well. Around 60 people have been showing up every week.

Finally in Botswana we stayed with a pastor named Musa and his family. God brought us right where he needed us by plugging us into a church community in the capital city of Gabrone. We spent a lot of time in worship and in prayer. More time than I ever have in my life. We lived among people who were completely filled with faith. They expected God to show up in everything they did. We visited a hospital and prayed for people as well as an aids clinic. They worshipped with fervor, and passion. The people welcomed us into their community showed us an amazing amount of hospitality. We were able to help one of the church members prepare a day care center by moving bricks a few days. One of our prayers going into Botswana was to set up some opportunities for other teams to be based there. We were given to opportunity to sit in on a board meeting for a group called Fly Missions who were gracious enough to put us into contact with all kinds of local ministries including an orphanage and another church. Though we weren't able to do much ministry with them, the January team will be going up there these next few months and plugging in.

This is as quick of an overview as I can do. I know there is a lot missing. Its been an amazing last three months though. God has brought me through a lot, and he has allowed me to be involved in a lot. We saw many come to Christ, and many different expressions of Christ in the pastors and people we met.

Below is a video that we made of our time in Africa. Hope you enjoy it...

LESS in Africa from Danny Gutman on Vimeo.

Hey all,

I'm in Spain right now, heading to Costa Rica tomorrow. It's sad to be leaving Africa but I'm excited for what God has next. I'm also stoked to try and use some of my Spanish for Jesus.

I wanted to let you know that I made my support deadlines thanks to you all. So I will be finishing this thing out. These next three months are going to be intense. God has been bringing up a lot of stuff in my life, a lot of wretchedness. It's been a hard last three months in Africa, but I know he redeems everything in the end. He always offers us new beginnings, new trials, new heartaches that stretch and grows us. He also shows us how to life out the new changes he makes in us. I feel like Central America will be living out change. Figuring out what it all means, and embracing it. He has given me a new name, and I don't want to stop pressing in until I can walk in that new name.

Thank you all for your prayers and support. I still need to raise around $1000. So please continue to pray for me in that.

Thanks friends.

So I know its been a while since a video was posted on this thing. But below is a special video because is a Danny/ Sarah joint production. She asked me to put together a video of some of our little competitions in Mozambique. She told me she thought it would only take an hour or two. So two months later and a bunch of hours spent toiling... here it is.

I would also like to know that we are well aware of the chessy Christian music playing in the background... what can I say... we have changed so much on this thing. It's pretty much the only music that satisfies.

And for any of you who really do like the music selection I would also like to point out that I'm a huge testify to love fan. So much so, me and a bunch of dudes drove up to Alaska and listened to it on repeat for probably a total of an entire day... it warms my heart.

World Race Olympics from Danny Gutman on Vimeo.

I had a birthday this week. I am in Botswana. A Botswana birthday. It was a Botswana birthday to remember too. Birthdays have always been kinda funny things for me. I remember some that were awesome. At the same time though there have been a lot of birthdays where some of the saddest things in my life have occurred. In middle school on my birthday I remember waking up to find my mother in pain. She was pregnant and she asked me to pray for her baby. She had a miscarriage later that day... Then, in high school I remember waking up on my birthday and finding my mother crying once again. It was like deja vous. She told me her mother, my grandma Nonnie, had past away. We headed out the next day to her funeral. There are more things too, my mom or dad went in for surgery once or twice on my birthday. I'm not really sure where I'm taking this... but I think its strange, how on days of celebration God has showed me death, and pain, and sorrow. To tell the truth I don't really remember the normal birthdays. Don't get me wrong. I know I've had really good birthdays, but its the ones where something tragic happened that I remember most. Something big and different than the birthday clowns, and games, and gummy bears. The birthdays I remember are the ones where I found myself at a completely different place at the end of the day. Every time I have a birthday I remember my grandma. I remember how awesome she was and how she cared for me so much. Every time I have a birthday I think of how crazy it would be to have a little brother that was 10 years younger than me. I remember that life is not all about a party. It's about remembering what has happened, where you have been, and where you have come. If I go through my past, and measure how and where I have grown and where God has taken me, against where I am today... chances are I haven't changed much. All this to say, I want to always remember. God has been drilling in my head to remember my first love. Remember that Jesus is the one that brought my parents together so I could come into existence. Remember that Jesus is the one who has changed my life in more ways than I could count. Remember that Jesus is the one who has brought me here today to have a birthday in Botswana. Just like I never want to forget my grandma, or my brother... I never want to forget what Jesus has been doing in my life here in Botswana. Though nothing bad or sad happened on my birthday, I never want to forget this birthday because it's a year of change and growth for me. It's one of those times that at the end of my 22^nd year I found myself in a completely different place than I expected.

Now that I have shown you how deep and mature I am now that I am 23 by telling you all that, I would like to tell you about what happened on my birthday, because it really was an awesome day. The day started with my team. One thing you should know about my team is that we have Sarah. Sarah is passionate about birthdays. She carries around a calender of all the birthdays she celebrates and its packed with birthdays. We also have Colleen. Colleen is passionate about being awesome on birthdays and making awesome birthday cakes called the Bomb. The two of their powers combined form the birthday committee. They are so on-it when it comes to birthdays that they buy people birthday presents months in advance. They managed a ride to one of our favorite South African chain restaurants called Mug and Bean. We got a nice breakfast, opened presents, and drank good coffee. Any day with good coffee is a good day to me. As a birthday treat I got to frivolously spend some of my support money on a latte. So thank you supporters for the latte.

After breakfast we went to the church we have been working with and prayed and worshipped for over three hours. I love it. I love worship. I love to think about being face to face with the God of the Universe praising His name. I love His presence. Kyle shared an awesome message which you could probably get a glimpse of if you check out his blog. God has been laying incredible stuff on his heart.

We managed to head back to the mall to meet a contact to find out about some ministry opportunities, and we also got some internet time. After the meeting we then went and found some more internet time. It's a precious thing here in Africa.

The day was finalized by going to a surprise birthday party that I already knew about. The party was sweet. The people here are so loving, it blows my mind. They made a ton of traditional Setswana food which was so good. They also gave me a bag which had roses (cultural thing), an African shirt, and a card. One lady even put money in the card. It's overwhelming to me. I felt so loved by a community that I only met a week ago. They also bought me a big cake. Overwhelming.

So we spent the night together. The six people on our team and some fifteen Botswanan people. We talked about God, about cultures, about food, about marriage, about divorce, about traveling. It was truly the kind of night that I wish everyday on the Race could be like. We eventually ate the Bomb (so good). Let me tell you about the bomb. The bomb is Ice Cream cake with not one but two different flavors of ice cream. They also packed marshmallows and chocolate pudding (a rarity in these parts) into it and cover the whole thing in Nutella. Wow. Needless to say after pounding the bomb everyone was about to keel over and it was late, so we sang some worship songs, prayed for some people and went home.

The bottom line...it was an awesome birthday. Not only because we had the bomb, the gifts, the coffee, the worship, the internet, the food, the people... but because God spoke to me. He reminded me how far he has taken me, and how far he still will take me if I let him. He reminded me of times that have changed my life. He reminded me of people that were in my life and poured into me. He reminded me that birthdays are a dime a dozen, but people are forever. He reminded me of my family and how much they have done for me, and how much they love me. He reminded me that he has my heart and he has an amazing purpose for my life if I will only press into him. He reminded me that I wouldn't be here without the friends and family that pour into my life back home. I could go on. Thank you for bearing with me. God is so good. In good and bad he is so good. Thank you for you're prayers and support.

Hey Folks,

I'm currently in Africa and loving every moment of it. Communication has been difficult here so let me fill you in on where I've been for the last few months. We arrived in Swaziland at the end of January and spent a week or so going through teachings through some of the staff that have moved here and Tom Davis who originally got me into this journey. After this we drove for two days into Mozambique into a coastal city named Vilanculous. Vilanculous was absolutely amazing. We lived in our tents near a lake and did everything from living at an orphanage in the Bush, to preaching at crazy churches who are entrenched in Witchcraft. As far as Mozambique itself, it was definitely the poorest country we have lived in thus far. For more on the Orphanage we stayed at (which is in desperate need of attention and finances) check out our web site www.becomeless.com. It will tear your heart out. At the beginning of March we moved out of Mozambique (two day drive with eleven other people in a seven passenger vehicle... memories that will last a life time) back into Swaziland. We spent a weekend driving up to Kruger National Park where I was able to see some wild life and some friends from Salt Lake who are out here on a mission trip. It was flippin incredible to see some familiar faces though it did make me somewhat home sick. Nevertheless it was a huge blessing. The last few weeks we have been in rural Swaziland living amongst the locals while preparing for a Church Plant. The Church was officially was planted on Easter Sunday. Similar to my involvement with K2 before it was officially a Church, the Church in Swaziland was a powerful thing to be involved with. I was certainly blessed to be a part of it. Currently I am listening to a group of Zimbabwe immigrants, who just had there homes burned to the ground, pray and thank God for his provision... though they have lost pretty much everything.

It really has been incredible being here as God has used these last few months to really challenge, grow, and stretch me. Just like any other time in my life there have been some huge ups and some killer downs. There has been a lot of new life, and there has been a lot of death. A lot of light, and plenty of darkness. While there has been plenty of ministry, orphans, hammering, feeding, and preaching... I feel God is changing me more than anything. Coming onto this trip I had three major spiritual goals. I wanted to increase my faith, find my name in Christ, and I wanted to come alive. God has moved more than I could have asked or imagine in all these, and I know that he will only continue to move more.

Before the World Race started I was unsure about whether God really wanted me on this thing. Now there is no doubt in my mind that I am exactly where he wants me to be. It's freeing. However I have only managed to raise about 80% of the support needed to finish the Race. I can't show my appreciation enough to those who have supported me in there prayers and finances. Just thinking about how many people have poured into me over the course of my life and the course of this trip humbles me, and brings joy to my heart. However if I want to finish this thing I need around $3,000 more in support. When using my math skills from college I figure if most the people I'm sending this letter to could give $30 I would set for the rest of the Race until August when I return home. There are a few ways you can give. By going to my web site (www.danielgutman.theworldrace.org) you can donate support online. Otherwise, you can make a check out to Adventures in Missions with Daniel Gutman on the memo line and mail it to Adventures In Missions, PO Box 534470, Atlanta, GA, 30353-4470. My next deadline is mid April. If I don't have at least $1000 raised I will not be able to go the the final leg of the trip in Central America.

I can't thank you guys enough for how you have supported me already. Thank you for reading my blogs and encouraging me throughout the year. My community is such a blessing to me. Though I really do miss and love you guys, I know God has me right where he wants me.

Much Love,

Daniel

Hello from Team Less. Sorry it's been so long since we've written. Internet was off limits during out time in China and it's taken us awhile to get back to this. Since we last wrote we've arrived in Africa, done training for a week in Swaziland and made our voyage into Mozambique.  Jackie and Lindsey also celebrated birthdays in January and February! 

Here's our latest update and some pictures for you…

Ministry and Team Activities - CF

  The past two weeks have been full of different ministry opportunities and times of learning and being filled up by God.  Last week we spent two days and two nights at the orphanage.  It was a great time of playing with the children, cooking, and at night having a time of songs, games, and a Bible story.  This week we spent three days teaching at a local church.  We each taught one or two lessons and the topics were things like  children's ministry, prayer, God's comfort, the Kingdom of Heaven, distractions, etc.  We also have spent time at this church the past two Sunday's and another local church.  This has given both Danny and Kyle the opportunity to preach to both congregations.  The days we have not been teaching at the church or at the orphanage, we have been focusing on the Elijah House Christian Counseling course we are taking on Inner Healing.  This consists of video seminars, small group discussions, and personal reflection.  We have all gained from these teachings and God is teaching us and growing us individually and as a team.  A highlight this week was Friday because it was Lindsey's birthdayJ!  We spent the day at the markets in town, went to lunch, and spent time at the beach.  It was a fun day of relaxing and being "us"

Lindsey reclaimed her pirate identity on her birthday

Coming Up- LM

Tuesday thru Friday we will be going out to the Bush in Mabouti, which is about 3hrs from Vilanculos, where we will be splitting up into three groups and teaching at three different churches.  We will also be showing the Jesus film at night and hopefully getting the chance to get to know the people who live out there. We are looking forward to spending time out there.

Jackie preaching at church