This Is My Life

Being on the race is starting to feel like real life, it’s not just a missions trip anymore. I’m starting to realize how little control I have over my life. Whatever control I think I have, I need to surrender. Each day I live should be lived for the glory of God and the furtherance of His Kingdom. I’m learning to listen to the Spirit and follow His lead. And though many times the task proves to be uncomfortable it is moving me once step closer to Jesus and one step closer to becoming the woman He created me to be. In no means do I have it all together, I have far to go but thankfully my Daddy is patient and gracious with me. 

This month the Lord has given me great joy, contentment and a desire to make the most of each and every moment and find delight no matter what the circumstances. When I don’t think I can make it any farther He smiles at me, gently takes my hand and patiently urges me forward another step. 

-Ukraine- 

Thought I knew what I were doing but really had no idea. Ukraine was a wonderful first month starting us off gently. Although we had a lot of sketchy moments like our many run- ins with the police who wanted bribes, hearing gunshots in the night and making a 30 minute trek in the dark surrounded by drunk men because we missed our bus,  we also had a lot of happy moments too; Whitey our cat that we pet with a stick for fear of getting some disease, random firework shows that we watched from our balcony,  and Uncle Yuri. Our ministry was teaching English, handing out flyers, cleaning houses and building relationships with our contacts and members of their church. 

Still thought I knew what I were doing but still had no idea. Romania was beautiful! Our ministry was similar but different from the previous month and somewhat difficult for me. We handed out about a thousand more flyers than the month before, toured with a christian band, spoke at church, did street evangelism, did door to door and prayed for people. I became really close with the Pastor’s wife and a few of our translators who didn’t speak much English. Yes that proved to be rather difficult. We met many amazing people who were even more beautiful than their country. The funniest moment of the month was when I was eating a peice of bread with Futella (Fake nutella) on it and I look over and our contacts son Christopher is eating the Futella out of the jar with a knife. He licked off the knife and stuck it back in, over and over for a good 15 minutes until there was hardly anything left and then handed it back to me. EEW! 

-Ireland- 

Had a little bit of an idea what the race was all about. The month I was most looking forward to was incredible! We lived in the heart of Dublin in a hostel. I believe part of our ministry that month was to people we met in the hostel. Our main ministry was helping out at DCM, making sandwiches, feeding the homeless, sorting clothes and familiy camp. I really enjoyed our ministry. We met many wonderful people, some of whom were from North America. My favorite memory is when we took about 5 bags of left over sandwiches from the homeless shelter that they were gonna throw out. We didn’t have a fridge so they were on our floor overnight and then Dan rolled over them with his skateboard and we were so hungry that we ate them! Mmm day old, skateboard smushed, butter and prosessed cheese sandwiches. 

I started realizing that this thing was real and wasn’t so sure if I really knew what I had got myself into anymore. We had the most amazing contacts ever, definitely the perfect way to start off our time in Africa. It was a little daunting to come to the realization that we’d be in Africa longer than we’d even been on the Race! Our ministry consisted of preaching, door to door and hospital ministry. Although we had challenges God brought us through them stronger than ever. His hand was definitely upon us that month teaching us, growing us and strengthening us. Some of my favorite memories were cooking in the kitchen with Chef Lucas, Dennis, Steve and Steve-O 🙂 

-Uganda- 

I was starting to get the swing of Africa and the swing of the WR. Our living conditions were definitely a challenge but we survived the bush! It was crazy to think the opportunity that we had at Child Voice. We spent time with some of Joseph Koney’s wives, we loved on and played with some of his kids. The realities of war and the heartache it created for these women and children was heavy and crushing. I spent most of my time cuddling kids and playing with them. When I wasn’t with the kids I was in the office working on my project, helping the bead women, helping the girls and I even spoke in chapel. My favorite memories of this month were the kids and Saturdays when we held fun events for the girls like relay races and a Fall festival.

-Tanzania-  

Realized that I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I signed up for the race. Laughed cause I thought I did. This month we are staying with a family from the church that we are working with in Kunduchi, Tanzania. The house is nestled in what once was a quarry, not far from the Indian Ocean. Country number 3 of Africa, country number 6 of the race leaving 5 more to go! It’s exciting and sad all at the same time knowing that there are only 5 and a half months left before I will be home. Ministry this month has been spur the moment and often times we don’t know what is going on til the very last minute. Most of our time has been spent preaching and I have spent many hours getting to know our contacts and their children. One of the main things I’ve learned that even though it’s uncomfortable I can do it and should volunteer to. The Lord is weak when we are strong and it doesn’t matter what we are capable of because He uses us for His glory and the furtherance of His kingdom no matter what. He is more than able. One of my favorite memories of this month is playing with the kids and singing songs with them.