Don´t worry, I just am writting this to let you know that because I am joining the World Race, my blog address will now reflect it. Please read more of my adventures at http://rubiepalmer.theworldrace.org

Support update: It is coming in. I will be on my way to Africa! Praise the LORD!! I still will need about $5,000 more once I get there, so feel free to support me. Thanks to all who have really prayed and sought the Lord with me. May the Lord bless you especially.

Greatfully,

Rubie Palmer

http://rubiepalmer.theworldrace.org

I have made a commitment to the World Race, and will stay with the team till Nov. 2008. This is a support video updating you on life thus far. I need $1,750 by April 15. Please click on the Support Me! link on the left... thank you all so much! Being the hands and feet of Jesus to the rest of the world would not be possible without you!

I have made a commitment to the World Race, and will stay with the team till Nov. 2008. This is a support video updating you on life thus far. I need $1,750 by April 15. Please click on the Support Me! link on the left... thank you all so much! Being the hands and feet of Jesus to the rest of the world would not be possible without you!

Today was our first full day in Cochabamba, a beautiful city 7 hours from La Paz. The nights are cool, and the days are in the mid 70´s. A perfect temperature. We are staying in beds, with hot showers, in a serene location, on the side of a mountian. We have a campfire pit, and many trails going through grassy medows. Easy to feel spoiled. We are here for one week, then will go to the rainforests to help out in orphanages. That is the main ministry we will be doing while we are here, and helping with constuction of existing and new orphanages. We are working with Mike and Bonnie Timmer, who are associated with International Teams, a Christian organization all over the world.

Here is what we did today: we went to the main plaza, and joined a Bolivian in his ministry to the poor street women and children. We sent up a tent in the center, got the water truck ready, and washed well over 40 kids and gave them all bread and milk, and every kid got new clothes. Me and Gretchen were at the infant station, and for two hours scrubbed little tiny babies. It was so awesome. All but two of our kids screamed their heads off, but we made a great team. Suprisingly none of the guys wanted to help out with the washings...hahaha. But some of the girls braided their hair, and then the guys played with them and changed out the dirty water for us. These kids had dirt crusted everywhere. I hope we get to do this next week.

There is something drawing when the family of God operates as it was intended to. When a group of desperate people throw themselves at the throne floor of the Almighty King. It is drawing, impacting, and rare. For possibly the first time in my life, I am realizing how awesome it is. I have grown so much in the past 2 ½ months, since my life's path has intersected with the body called the World Race. My relationship with the Lord has gone to levels I never even thought about, nor dreamt about. My prayers are becoming more intimate and dangerous, and my faith is strengthened every day. I know, beyond any doubt that I can never settle with the same prayers I was praying before I left. I truly desire more meat, more depth, and more involvement in His kingdom then ever before. As we grow together in Christ, we truly are becoming the hands and feet of the King. Daily adoring, praising, and desiring to be changed for His use; laying down our entitlements, flesh, and lives to be more useful to Him. The body is truly edifying, enriching, and amazing. When people (this group I am in) humble ourselves in His presence, God sees it and smiles. Ministering together becomes more successful. This is a picture of Him. The more I learn, the more I live and walk, the less satisfied in anything else I am. I think of the model Jesus left us as He lived, He was very intentional to serve and edify His 12 disciples. It was then that these12 learned men went to the corners of the earth to change history. God is changing me; I am in a learning process that in the past 2 ½ months has taught me more then I ever thought possible. It is hard, yes, but enriching beyond words to describe. I am deeply thankful for the Lord for this opportunity to be on the World Race. The intention was for me to be with this group through Bolivia, then back to Chincha/Lima for one more month before heading home. That would mean I would break off from the group after April and be back home in May. I can't help but ask, "Is my time with this body done?" It feels like an awkward break off, but I know God will have me go where is best. If God wants me to stay, it would roughly cost an additional $10,000. This includes everything, enough money through November 2008, plane tickets, food, lodging, everything. The plan the team has is to be in Africa for 4 months, India and Nepal for 1 ½ months, then finish in Asia. That number makes my heart skip a beat, because it is more money then I have ever had. But, I am learning to walk by faith, to not doubt God and put Him in a box. He is great, capable, and can, with pleasure, provide for me this amount. Family and friends, would you take great care and pray with me over this? If God wants you to give, ask Him how much specifically, and let me know. I don't want you to give out of obligation, but obedience. Please let me know, don't write checks just yet, send me an email and I will reply. Know too, that the money you give is an investment in my spiritual growth. My heart is genuinely for Christ, nothing else.  Not to travel the world, but to be in His will. Not for more stamps on my passport, but to continue to learn what it is to be a disciple of Christ with this body.

Lots have gone on since I wrote you last. God is good, faithful, awesome, and changing me. Our team just got back last night from Nauta, Peru. It is a two hour bus ride further into the jungle of northern Peru from Iquitos. We lived on a boat (about 30 of us in TIGHT quarters!) for two weeks. Many mosquitoes, huge spiders and other bugs, and the most humid and hottest place I have ever been. We showered in the river (Maranon a tributary to the Amazon), washed our dishes in the brown water, etc. We worked along side a church there, whose vision is to work with the youth and children. We put on a two week "fiesta con Dios" (like a Bible school) for the kids, in which I was a major part of the lesson/drama time. We also meet everyday with the teenagers for a time of discipleship. Along with all of this, I went on a walk with one of my team members and we met a lady who had an abscess on her neck, which was causing her terrible pain. She lived in this shack on stilts (for when the waters rise) with her two daughters, one of which had two little kids and had a stomach tumor that they had operated on three times, but was not better. We prayed for her, and then went back every day thereafter. She is a believer, but felt that her pain had been caused by previous sin. We assured her it was not, and told her to read her Bible and continue to pray. As missionaries we are not doctors, nurses, rich, and cannot solve all problems. But, we do certainly can share the Healer and Giver of Life to all! I went back the following day, and she was smiling, saying her pain was gone, she had woken up at 4 am prayed, and then studied Rom. 8. She was healed!! When I go to do house visitations it is easy for the people to want Jesus because they want Him to heal them. I never want them to think that He always will, and that the most important thing is for them to want Him over all. This lady did, and by God's grace, He had also healed her! I serve a Risen and Powerful Savior!

In Nauta, we were able to experience spiritual warfare up close and personal, particularly me. One night, I encountered a demon for the first time, and was able to recognize it for what it was, and though I was unable to speak or move at the time, my heart and soul screamed, "the blood of Jesus is over me!!" I soon as I thought this, it left in a hurry. It was so real; I tried to reason that it had not actually happened. But it had, I could not help but praise Jesus and the power of His perfect blood for the next half hour or so. What does the devil think he will gain when he messes with one of God's own? Instead, I have been built up, experienced freedom in a more intimate way, and am able to discern evil spirits better. I have been going through Hebrews, and the book is just filled with awesome insight on the blood of Christ Jesus, and how He is the only sacrifice for our sins.

I know if I go on much longer, I will lose your attention. I could write book on things I have seen God do, break my heart for, and how He is changing me. One of our last nights on the boat, the lights were turned off (to lower the number of thousands of mosquitoes) and we were worshiping. My legs were dangling off the side of the boat. The clouds then opened up, and there were billions of stars in a strip just over our boat. I knew it was God just smiling on us. I felt like Joshua taking one of the 12 stones out of the Jordan River as a testimony to His faithfulness. As our worship came to a close, the clouds came back over. He is so encouraging and so good. Now that we are back, we are going to work with a church here in Iquitos for the remainder of the time here. It is in a poor neighborhood, and our focus will probably be very similar to that in Nauta.

Friends and Family,

I realize it has been a long time since I have written you all. However, this has not been my intent. I finally received my computer, but now have no internet. I am out of Chincha, it has been an amazing five weeks down there with the World Racers. God has done some really awesome things, healings, financial provisions, new houses, children´s programs, and His word is being spread. I will write more when I have time. Right now, I am in Iquitos, Peru. One of the only cities in the world that the only way to get there is to fly (if not the only city). We got here Friday afternoon, and will be here for one month. It is extremely hot and very humid. There is almost no escaping the sweat. Tomorrow morning we leave, to head down on a barge outside a little town on one of the tributaries of the Amazon. We will be sleeping, eating, and fellowshiping on the barge for two weeks. We will minister to the little town, and then will head back to Iquitos for the last two weeks, working with a church in a very poor neighborhood. I am super excited, and this morning at the church service I got to preach a little, and I talked about how revival is here in Peru, and how exciting it is to be here at this transforming time. God is doing something so huge, and I feel so blown away that I am here at this time, to share in the work. I will not have internet connection while in the thick of the jungle, but will share pictures and what God has done when I get back to Iquitos. Pray for us as a team. There is 27 of us, and we will be in close quarters. This is when Satan tries to attack, and disunify our team. We know we are going into a dark place, please pray for spiritual discernment, strength, and authority. Also, for the sickness to avaid our camp and the bugs. I also ask that you pray for sound sleep, as we will be sleeping on the boat floor and in hammocks. Personally, for my back that spasms as I sleep on the hard floor (even though I have a pad), and to communicate more effectively my heart with the team and with those I will be sharing with. I will write as soon as I can. Know that I pray for you all daily, and hope that you are getting a taste of what God is doing at home!

Please check out my teammates posts and videos at www.theworldrace.com My teammates names are Mark Stratman, Laura Johnston, Tammy Peters, and Steve Wright. They have written blogs about what God has done and is doing in Los Jardines.

God Bless.