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Ministry ...



I read the devotional My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers and the other day I read this one and it felt so right! Each day, God speaks to me through these devotions, but this one in particular spoke to me about my current situation. 

". . . so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus." Acts 20:24

Joy means the perfect fulfillment of that for which I was created and regenerated, not the successful doing of a thing. The joy Our Lord had lay in doing what the Father sent Him to do, and He says - "As My Father hath sent Me, even so am I sending you." Have I received a ministry from the Lord? If so, I have to be loyal to it, to count my life precious only for the fulfilling of that ministry. Think of the satisfaction it will be to hear Jesus say - "Well done, good and faithful servant"; to know that you have done what He sent you to do. We have all to find our niche in life, and spiritually we find it when we receive our ministry from the Lord. In order to do this we must have companied with Jesus; we must know Him as more than a personal Savior. "I will show him how great things he must suffer for My sake."

I am living in Gainesville, Georgia now and I have found the ministry God has for me. I get to be directly involved with international missions while living in the states. I get to be a big part of every World Racer's journey from now on out! It is amazing! I already love it here and I am excited to grow in the Lord as I grow in the ministry God has made for me.

To continue to help mobilize others to go on international mission trips – I need YOUR help! Everyone who works for Adventures in Missions must raise financial support so that any money that comes in as a donation, goes straight to helping the poorest of the poor. Currently, I have $540 / month coming in. I need to raise $2500 / a month. I hope that you will see the importance of the ministry that I am doing and you will want to invest in the Kingdom in this way. Just think: if you have ever gone on a mission trip – someone, somewhere is working behind a desk to ensure that you get an amazing, life-changing experience. 

Click HERE to make a donation!

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Finally I Surrender



Obviously this past year was a really amazing and challenging year for me. I knew that coming back home was going to be an adjustment, but I just did not anticipate that the ways of life in America would become so overwhelming. When I was overseas – I never worried about money or the other things that now cloud my mind and faith. And, so I struggle now between what is practical and where God is asking me to step out in faith and trust Him.

God is so good to me, always has been. Thankfully, He created me and knows all of my flaws. He also knows how to speak to my heart and just how long He is going to have to gently speak to my heart before I will give up and give in to what He wants for me. Back in January (when I was in the Dominican Republic), God started speaking to me about the possibility of working for AIM (Adventures in Missions). It sounded fun and I knew that it was pretty much a dream job for me....to live in the States, work with international missions as my job and life, AND get to travel overseas on top of that! But, that whole raising support thing (oh, and moving out of Texas) really just seemed like something I could not give in to. But, over time – I let God speak to me about it and it started to sound better and better. Well, He started to sound better and better I suppose. 

So, I have given up on my fears and I am beginning to walk into what seems like the biggest and scariest step of faith I have taken so far in my life. I am walking in faith that God is going to financially provide for me – not just for a one year trip – but for a lifetime! With the economy the way it is and the misconception that "somebody else" will financially fund my trips ... it can become an overwhelming thought that maybe this will all fall apart and maybe I am going to crash and burn. But, how could I remove all that I KNOW God is and all the ways He has told me that He is going to take care of me. 1 John 4:18 says "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear" and I know that the love God has for me is perfect and so I can rest in knowing that there is nothing to fear. 

I would be honored if you would join me in this next step in my life. I will begin working for AIM starting next month and I need to raise $2500/month. I pray that you might consider giving a monthly support of $25/month. You can do that by clicking HERE and typing in your information.  So far, I have raised about $1800 in all, so your donation would be a huge blessing to me!

Thank you again and I look forward to keeping you up to date on my big move to Georgia!
 
 This video is a song called "Finally I Surrender" by Misty Edwards ... it has been on my heart a lot lately and I hope it speaks to you too!


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Redemption for Thailand



As most of you know - Thailand was very close to my heart and the friendships I built while I was there were extremely meaningful to me.  Some of the October Racers just finished their time in Thailand and this a video that Jessica Johnson put together - that I just thought was so beautiful!   I hope that you see the all the pain and all the hope that there is in that place!
 
                          
 
 

 

 
     


From Bangla Road to Redemption Road. from Jessica Johnson on Vimeo.

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A "Hairy" Situation...



This is a picture blog of my "missionary hair" over the last year.  I thought this would be a great time to grow out my hair to be able to donate it to cancer patients.  I have a lot of really thick hair - and having had 3 close friends now pass away from cancer, I thought all this mess of hair I possess might be a big help to someone who is losing theirs! 
 
Hope you enjoy the journey ....
 
                 
         - January                                - February                                    - March                                       - April
 
                 
     - May                                          - June                                           - July                                       - August
 
              
  - September                                 - October                                    - November                               - December
 
       
 
                                                                     
        
                                    
 
Happy 2010 everyone!  I hope you all had a wonderful 2009 -- I sure did and I am very much looking forward to what 2010 holds for me!  I love you all and am so thankful that you came on this journey with me!!

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My year in pictures...



My amazing teammate Di has outdone herself again with this video.  This is pictures and videos from each month of ministry this year.  I know that you will enjoy it!


Spectacle Does the World- Long from Di Dinnis on Vimeo.

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Momma & Pops



There is no way when I started this journey in October, 2008 that I could have understood the role that Mike & Patti Paschall would play in my life.  My initial love for them came when I found out they were from TEXAS and of course only grew from there....and shifted into things that were more substantial than just where they lived. 
 
        

 I trusted them from the beginning and for some reason, I knew that I could open up and share my heart and my struggles with them.  They truly are the easiest people to talk to – and they have no judgments to make...you are accepted and loved just for who you are when you are in their presence.  I have had a lot of adults in my life act as spiritual mentors ... but I have never had "spiritual parents", until Mike & Patti.  They began as Ms. Patti and Mr. Mike ... but I wholeheartedly call them Momma and Pops now!  I am beyond honored and blessed to have them in my life – for the rest of my life! 

 I have sought their wisdom so much this year, I probably drove them nuts with all the emails and questions.  But, I know that I need them in my life and I desire to be the Christ that I see in them.  I am encouraged by them as individuals and of course by their marriage – I truly want to have a marriage like theirs in the future.  They are so real and normal ... and yet so freakishly in tune with the Holy Spirit, that I basically cried every time they ever shared anything with me this year.  They are both so strong and full of wisdom and yet are full of grace and love and a gentleness that makes you feel at ease when you are with them.  Mike is the tough teddy bear who always tells you the truth, even if it is hard to hear.  (But is always available and ready with hugs and kisses).  And Patti is just adorable and full of love and acceptance and you can't help but love her – she is even a little sassy at times! (And my favorite Patti is the one at 4 am)! 

 
         

 It is hard for me to explain the way that I love them or the way that I feel when I am around them ...they make me feel at home and home is something I cherish with all of my heart!  They have taught me this year about the real Jesus – the Jesus who loved with all of His heart and held no judgments against anyone.  They have walked hand in hand with me and patiently loved me as I began to learn who the Holy Spirit really is!  They have had grace with me as I have confessed some things in my life that I felt guilt and shame over! 

 I cannot and would not want to imagine how this year would have been without them.  And now, I never want to imagine my life without them.  I am thankful that they are stuck with me forever and I am always looking forward to the next time I am with them. 

 
                               
                                                                                

I love you both SO MUCH and I seriously thank God every single day that you are in my life!  You being a part of my life seriously has changed me forever!

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Oops...



I consider myself a really great driver!  I usually stay pretty close to the speed limit and other than being casually distracted in song, I am careful and considerate on the road.  But -- apparently over the year of being a passenger, I forgot how to correctly park my car.
 
You see - I needed to move my car up on the driveway so that Chris & Randi could get the kids out of the truck.  I did not know that this disaster was going to take place until it started happening and I had two reactions.  I began to scream and to jump in place : did not know how to un-do what was happening before my eyes...
 
The garage door handle got caught on my license plate (because my car was too close) and it resulted in the garage door folding in on itself while violently spitting out the round "things" that kept it on the track!!
 
Enjoy the disaster that I caused!!
 
                             
 
                             
 
                              
 
                              
 
Thankfully my Mom's car was not in the garage ... or I may not be here to show you the pictures.  Click HERE to see pictures from my last week on the Race ... final debrief in Vienna, Austria.  And, please enjoy Mackenli's rendition of what happened below ...
 

         


Mackenli tells garage story from Darci Simpson on Vimeo.

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I Will Go ...



 
This video came out my freshman year of college -- before I had ever been exposed to international missions. 
 
I re-found it recently ... and had two thoughts about it
   1. Why did my friends let me dye my hair red?
   2. Amazing that even before I knew I was made for international missions --God allowed me to be in a video about it!
 
* In case you can't find me -- Look at 1:15 ish --
 
 
"Go"

My life has been instilled
By a hope that never moves
And yet it moves me still
So I'm crying out to You
 
Use me
So I can take Your fame and glory
For all to see
No matter where Your hand may lead me

I will go
I will go
To make You known
I will go

I can't keep You to myself
My heart is just too small
There's so many left to tell
That You came for one and all
 
Use me
So I can take Your fame and Glory
For all to see
No matter where Your hand may lead me

For a dying world in need
For the hungry and the weak
For the sinner scared to speak
I will go
 

Hope you are entertained for a little bit ... until I can gather my thoughts to write something more!



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So Much to be Thankful For ...



What an amazing week I have had at home!  (Well, tomorrow will be one week back)... 
First of all my sister had REALLY convinced me that she and the kids could not come to the airport, so it was a HUGE surprise when I found them hiding behind the elevators at the airport.  I was so tired and so happy, that all I could do was give one of those really ugly cries ... and I mean REAL UGLY!! :)  I went home and got to eat some chicken, sausage, and okra gumbo with a huge glass of sweet tea!  It was a wonderful first day back.  Here are some pictures of my week ...
 
          

                                                                         
 
After spending two days with my favorite children in the world -- I got a surprised by my best friends with a delicious Mexican fiesta party!  Here are some pics of people I love so much ...
 
         
 
         
         
 
Thank you so much for all your support this year and I look so forward to getting to spend time with you soon.  I have to confess as I sit here at my sister's house -- I am so thankful that The Ellen Show is back in my life!! :)  I sure did miss it!
 
One last thing -- to be fully reimbursed for all of my personal expenses for this past year (such as plane tickets, health insurance, and the shots I had to get for this trip) I have to raise $790.  If you would like to donate you can CLICK HERE or send money to:
Adventures In Missions
(for Darci Simpson)
P.O. Box 534470
Atlanta, GA 30353-4470
 
I love you all so much and hope you enjoy this little video clip of the kids trying to exercise with me!


Excercising with Dee from Darci Simpson on Vimeo.

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My prayer



I wrote this at our very first debrief in San Juan, Dominican Republic.  I just re-found these words and they really spoke to my heart at this time. This was my prayer for this year!  As I sit here at our final debrief in Vienna, Austria -- I am thankful for the promises of the Lord and all the ways He has shown Himself faithful to me this year! 


 

JESUS:

 

You have promised me Yourself – You have promised me Your love and that You will always be with me!   You are the one who longs to capture my heart and all my thoughts – You will passionately pursue me all the days of my life!  You promise to show me more and more of Yourself – if I will seek You with all of my heart!  There is strength, power, and comfort in Your presence – a brokenness and a passion to give all of myself to You – NO RESERVATIONS!  Have it all – for You promise abundant life to me if I will give everything to You – NO HOLDING BACK!  I choose to surrender all of me!  You have promised me that You will always be with me and You are more trustworthy than anyone I know.  You promise to hold me and my heart in the palm of Your hands!  You promise to be my protector always and to always fight for me – that I am NEVER in danger with you by my side.  I long to let You be my real protector and trust You to be that over my life!  Help me to cling to Your promises and all the truths I have found in You!  You promise to provide peace to my heart when I am overwhelmed and nothing else makes sense – or things feel like too much!  You are my anchor and with You – I cannot be moved: NOTHING can shake my foundation!
 

 I will be home in 4 days and I look forward to seeing all of you.  Again - your prayers, donations, encouragement, love and support have been a part of transforming me this year into more of the image of Christ!  I know this year that I have SO MUCH to be thankful for.  See you all very soon! :)

 
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