As I reflect over this first week of being out on the race, God gives me one word. Move. Those of you that know me, I’m sure you’re already laughing. For those of you who don’t, let me explain. It starts in High School where my family, well, let’s just say we got pretty dang good at this whole moving thing! When it came time to move for college, we had that thing down. To school, home, back to school, new home, school, different house, school, so on and so on. My friends and I joke around because every time it’s time for me to move back home, I’m always moving into a different house than the one I left. As I’ve gotten older, each move becomes more significant. My last move to Georgia to finish my College Career. My move to St. George where I started my first “big girl job.” My move home to prepare for the Worldrace. Now most recently, my move to Panama.
One country for one month. This means I’m done moving for one whole month right? Not even close. This month we are doing Unsung Heroes which means that we are free to go around the country to find ministries and contacts to partner with the Worldrace so future racers can come in and help them with what they’re doing. So actually, we’re moving even more. About every 3-5 days.
Moving.
Aside from the physical definition, there’s also the spiritual one. And THAT has been happening longer and more frequent than I can keep track of. As with all things, it starts with Jesus. He’s been moving in my heart in ways that I don’t even know about.
Here’s where it all comes together.
Day 2 in Panama. As a team, we met outside in a park-ish area where we were to spend about an hour talking with God and asking him for direction for the day. About 30 minutes in, He does something totally rad. All of a sudden, out of nowhere he swarms us with 250 children all around us. They are running, chasing and playing. They greet us with “Hola” as they walk by us. As a team, our hearts are convicted. “See the leader, go talk with her,” Jesus said.
I DIDN’T move.
I froze. Afraid.
My heart beats faster, I turn around and see Keri and Jake talking with her.
At this moment, I am now thanking God that He unified my team’s hearts to convict us with the same direction. Her name is Vilma, and she loves Jesus. She knew of places that could use our help. We are now meeting with her this week.
As Keri, Jake and Nick were talking to Vilma, I was watching how these children were playing. They were moving. And not just the stay-in-one-place-jump-up-and-down sort of moving. They ran from one side of the park to the other, down the stairs, up the stairs, around the corner. They were EVERYWHERE. They were there for one second and then off just as fast as they came.
There’s already been multiple times this trip where I didn’t move when I KNEW that I should.
“What if they don’t understand me?” “I don’t know know what words to say.”
These doubts fears and lies are NOT from God. In fact, Exodus 4:10 says this:
“But Moses pleaded with the Lord. “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been and I’m not now. Even though you have spoken to me. I get toungue-tied, and my words get tangled.” Then The Lord asks Moses “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decided whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what you say.”
God placed Vilma and her students right in our laps. He painted a remarkable illustration about “moving.” He is patient with us, when we don’t listen the first second third or tenth time. He has it all laid out. He’s going to continue to place us where He needs us for His purposes. All we have to do is listen when he speaks, and then move.
If you guys want to see photo’s/videos, check them out here: www.brittsworldrace.tumblr.com
