So, I'm a V02 Max Guinea Pig

Last weekend I did a “Volume of Oxygen Max” test. Erika Brown and her lab group at SDSU needed a guinea pig as they prepared for a practical exam, so I thought I’d volunteer. (Yes, I'm kind of a nerd… or is it geek?). This test measured how much oxygen the body uses during exercise. It’s often used as a measure of athletic performance… and so as a very amateur runner, I was curious as to what my V02 max might be. Elite endurance athletes typically achieve max scores in the 70’s and above. Cyclist Oskar Svendsen, scored a 97.5—the highest recorded according to topendsports.com.

Wired Up

I wore a heart rate monitor, a super cool (not) mask and a clamp on my nose. The mask had a one way valve that allowed me to breathe fresh air in, but when I exhaled, all my air would go through a hose to be analyzed for oxygen and carbon dioxide content. I’m terribly sorry, (not) but I was unable to snap a selfie with this equipment. ;)

The Protocol

After fitting the mask, putting on the nose clamp, and pairing the heart rate monitor, I warmed up on the biggest treadmill I’d ever seen. I started at 5 miles per hour, and the speed of the treadmill was increased every minute by half a mile per hour. Initially, the mask really was uncomfortable. I felt like I couldn’t get any air, and I’m pretty sure that I hyperventilated a few times during the test. But as the speed increased, I was able to find a rhythm. Oh, and the “Max” in V02 Max means to go until you can’t go anymore—as in maximum effort. So I maxed out shortly after hitting 10 mph somewhere close to 11 minutes. It was weird in that I felt like I could run faster, but the mask made it seem to me like I just couldn’t get enough air. 

The Results

The Raw Data

10.8 

Minutes

55.6

V02 Max

10

Miles Per Hour

I’m kind of surprised by the results. Well, either Erika’s lab group was being kind, or those numbers are respectable. Apparently, for a man my age, the 55.6 score puts me in the “Superior” category. *blushes* I’m no Oskar Svendsen, but I guess I did good for an old man

Pray with Us for Homes of Hope in Africa

We're going back to Uganda to build another Homes of Hope house. Here's how you can pray with us: 

PRAY FOR THE HOME BUILDING GEAR:

The Spiffy Control Box Thingie™

The Barrels of Cool Stuff that Become Foam™

The Spray Nozzle Thingie™

The Mold: The block mold was shipped weeks ago, and should arrive in time for the advance crew to make us enough blocks to build a home. Of course, there may be delays in shipping or customs, so pray everything is in place on time.

The Barrels: The barrels of polyurethane foam (that the blocks are made out of) were also shipped weeks ago. We have conflicting reports on whether they are in port or still in transit. Pray that the shipping company can straighten this out and that these supplies also arrive in time.

Please note: If these barrels do not arrive in time, we may be able to secure some alternate chemicals in Kampala. If that falls through we will build a masonry home, like we did for Faith and her family in Bulanga. Don't worry, we will build a house!

The Spray equipment: Our advance team, ("The Guys" below),  will be bringing in the spray equipment next week. This consists of some long hoses, a nozzle "gun" assembly, a control box and pumps that fit into the barrels. As you can imagine, most customs officials probably have never seen anything like this equipment. Pray for favor and smooth entry into Uganda. Oh, and pray for no lost luggage!

*   *   *   *   *   *   *

Johny

Sergio

PRAY FOR THE GUYS

Sergio and Johny fly to Uganda on Monday. Pray for safe travels. Pray that they are able to enter with no problems and are able to get everything set up in Jinja and ready for our arrival. These two will be our expert builders, and I know they need your prayers! 

*   *   *   *   *   *   *

PRAY FOR A WAY FORWARD

Finally, pray that this trip results in a way forward—we hope and pray these are the beginning steps of a home building movement among the poorest of the poor in Africa. Our hope is that our efforts will inspire African churches to take up the challenge of helping their own people out of poverty. Our team is the catalyst for getting the block building equipment in country. And we will be building the first house of this style in Uganda. As with any pioneering effort, there are many obstacles to overcome. However, through prayer, we can depend on God, and work hard to see Him use us to accomplish His purposes!

Thanks for your prayers!

This is a polystyrene block.

This is the block-making mold thingie™

Here's what the block wall looks like as it's being built!

A Book, a Door, and a New Nation

What do a book, a door and a new nation have in common? 

We want to give you an opportunity to find out. 

The Condensed Version: 

• We have 10 Copies of Kay Charlotte's book, Why Do I Have to Go to School Today? left, and…
• We are going to Uganda after Christmas, and…
• Kay Charlotte has an open door to pioneer Homes of Hope in the Republic of South Sudan, so…
• You can buy a book and be a part of this amazing opportunity!

The Details:

Kay Charlotte has written a children's book and we only have 10 copies left. With these last books, we want to give you the unique opportunity to invest in a new nation. After Christmas, our family will travel to Africa again to further develop the Homes of Hope ministry in Uganda. And this time a door has been opened to the Republic of South Sudan* Kay Charlotte has been personally invited by the Ambassador to go to Juba, and meet with government officials to discuss acquiring land to establish Homes of Hope in South Sudan. 

Would you help send our family to Africa by purchasing one of the remaining copies of her book? Books are signed by the author and are a minimum of $100 each, while supplies last. If you'd like to give even after the books are sold, or are not interested in the book at all,  that is fine too.

Thanks for your interest in the work we are doing in Africa. 

To Purchase A Book, Make Your Check Out to, "Ends of the Earth" and mail it to:

Kay Charlotte McClurg

2259 Poppy Hills Drive

Chula Vista, Ca. 91915 

To Donate, Make Your Check Out to, "Youth With A Mission" and mail it to: 

Kay Charlotte McClurg

2259 Poppy Hills Drive

Chula Vista, Ca. 91915 

Library Hard Bound, 42 Pages, Signed by the Author

Heartwarming Story Inspired by Real Life Events

Gorgeously Illustrated

She Spoke Life

Two weeks ago, Kay Charlotte spoke in a Discipleship Training School in the Dominican Republic.

(Aside: This week she's speaking at the DTS in Tijuana; next week at the DTS in Vancouver—busy woman!) 

One of her students wrote this on her blog:

“The next week we had Kay Charlotte. She talked about Identity in Christ. I think that was my favourite week of the school so far. We talked about the things that hold us from being the people God created us to be and what holds us from seeing ourselves the way God sees us. We talked about pride, being vulnerable, and how important dealing with the past is. We talked about forgiveness and the effects the lack of forgiveness has on us. She spoke life into us and for me, God brought so much freedom through her. Praise God that His yolk [sic] is easy and His burden is light. On Friday that week, we went to a cemetery. Sounds weird- I know. When we first arrived Kay Charlotte told us that God has spoken to her to share Romans 8 with us. The very same passage that God spoke to my heart one week before. We spent time there sitting and talking with God. Verse 10 says, “But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.” Being in a cemetery really gives you a solid visual of being dead to yourself- it’s probably the best visual there could be! When Jesus said, “Take up your cross and follow me” he meant it to be a one way trip- dying to yourself and living in reckless abandon because of what is ALREADY finished. All things are possible with Him.”

— Mairi Macpherson

I'm so proud of Kay Charlotte for how she's giving of herself to these students. Please pray for her as we both have had a busy travel schedule this fall, with a lot more to come! (Stay tuned!) 

I encourage you to take a look at the rest of Mairi's blog post here: 

Lead me to where my trust is without borders.

Dedicating His Life to Deeper Service

Kay Charlotte spoke to ten Discipleship Training School students at the YWAM center in San Pedro, Dominican Republic this week. Here topic was on Identity in Christ. Yesterday she sent me this photo: 

She wrote:

Today I took the students to a local graveyard. I shared with them from the Scriptures and I asked them, "How do you want your life to count? When it's all over, what do you hope to have accomplished? Who do you hope to have become?"

Little did I know that this young man received a vision from God yesterday. He saw himself at his parents' gravesite dedicating himself to walk in God's ways. He was stunned when he found out we were going on a field trip to a graveyard. He's weeping as I clicked this shot. 

Thank you so much for your prayers and financial support. We are privileged to be in partnership with you! 

Fifteen Photos from Switzerland

Levi and I flew to Burtigny, Switzerland this week to be a part of the Mission Adventures International Theme Team. We met up with 8 other YWAMers from five other nations to pray, wait on the Lord, and brainstorm about the 2014 Mission Adventures theme.  

This trip is special for lots of reasons: 

• I got to travel with my son. Having him participate in my work and enjoy my friends was a real treat.
• This was our first trip to Switzerland, and boy oh boy is this place beautiful! I think I took more than 700 photos in the last four days.
• This will be the 21st Mission Adventures theme I've been a part of defining. It's such a privilege to seek God for his heart and mind for students.

I'm posting this just as we pack up and head to the airport in Geneva. So if you see this, say a prayer for smooth travels and a sweet reunion at home! 

Cool Facts About the University of the Nations

Youth With A Mission's University of the Nations is truly unique. It's a global university designed to train students to be messengers of the Gospel into every sphere of society.

Two weeks ago, the U of N held it's biennial Workshop at our campus in Tijuana, Mexico. Here are some pretty cool facts about the University:

16,500 Total Students in 2010, a 12% Increase from 2008

11,300 Discipleship Training School Students in 2010

5,200 Second-Level Students in 2010

550 Global Training Locations in 2010, a 49% Increase from 2008

160 Countries in Which Courses Are Taught, a 33% Increase from 2008

We are so encouraged by all the amazing thing God is doing in and through the University of the Nations. Kay Charlotte and I are humbled to teach for students in this university and we are very excited to help staff the  Compassion and Mercy Discipleship Training School in Tijuana ths fall.