I know that I talked
about being homesick a couple blogs ago but fact is, I have rethought that
statement. Fact is, I am “HOME” for the first time since I can remember. I
can’t imagine living any other way then the way I live my life now on the race.
I don’t even know how I did it before and was happy… Oh wait… I wasn’t happy.
Kyla (One of my squad
leaders but not just that… She is a friend and a true sister in Christ to me as
well.) Anyway, she went “home” to the US for a week this month for a wedding
and she just got back a week or so ago. It felt weird not having her around and
I’m so happy to have her back with us but we were talking the other day and I
was asked her, “Do you think it’s weirder to go back to the states or to come
back to the race after a break in the US?” And she replied almost instantly
that being in the US was weirder. Fact is, the race is a lifestyle of COMMUNITY
that once you live in it, it’s hard to go back to anything else.
Before I came on the
race, I used to sit back like some of you possibly are right now and watch
videos and read blogs of people on the field (I still can’t believe I am on the
field sometimes) and here a lot about community. I never got the concept or
could grasp it but that seemed to be all I could hear about for a while. And
now I’m living and breathing in it and can’t imagine my life any other way. I
wake up around people, I go to sleep around people, I shower and talk to people
while getting clean, I don’t own ANYTHING of my OWN…
It’s like the church
in ACTS. We share EVERYTHING and I LOVE IT. I can’t imagine going home and not
having someone talk to me while I’m showering, or not having 30 people cook
dinner in one small kitchen every single night, not climbing on furniture and
screaming out declarations and speaking LIFE over ourselves, not having the
living room triple as a dining area and sanctuary, or not having feedback every
single night full of laughter, tears and surprises straight from God.
“If you have any
encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if
any fellowship with the Spirit, If any tenderness and compassion, then make my
joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one spirit and
purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility
consider others before yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own
interest, but the interest of others.” -Phil 2: 1-4
I’m a new creation
and this is my new life!!! I started thinking last month (Month one) about how
could I ever go back home after this because I have CHANGED SO MUCH ALREADY and
it’s only been 2 MONTHS!
My brothers and
sisters in Christ make my day that much better. I’m truly a new creation thru
Christ and also thru them pushing me. I don’t know what life is going to look
like without them but I’m just along for the ride. The point is, I’m not ready
to leave.
“And he died for ALL,
that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died
for them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly
point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a NEW CREATION; the old has GONE, the
NEW has COME!!!” – 2 Cor : 15-17
I’ve learned so much
already and God CALLED me HERE at this moment. Here recently there have been
stories of WR teams being robbed and even held at knife point. It’s taken things
like having their lives spared before truly feeling god’s love and mercy.
People have been on their death beds and have become well during this race.
Miracles happen all around and in world racers every single day. I would
imagine it’s hard to go back home after learning everything that you learn on
this journey.
But my point is I
have NOT learned everything I NEED to learn. I was called to this race for a
reason! And this is an 11 month race… Not a 2 or 4 or even 8 month race. I WAS
CALLED TO SERVE ON THIS THING A FULL 11 MONTHS. I now know that more than ever
after having several conversations with people on my squad today.
God is so amazing and
loves you (and ME) so much that he has a plan for us. He protects us and
PROVIDES for us. If God can help out people who are facing death on this race
then I dare say that money isn’t even an issue. I’m just sad It’s taken me this
long to understand that. God DOES LOVE ME, GOD HAS A PLAN FOR MY LIFE, AND I
HAVE BEEN CHOSEN!
NO MISTAKES HERE
BABY!
The truth is, my home
is where God calls me. And right now that has been on this 11 MONTH JOURNEY. I
KNOW God is going to bring in the funds I need! I am enjoying rejoicing with my
team and squad in God working thru my support account. I know if he can protect
us physically, emotionally, and spiritually… He can fund my trip.
A very wise man wrote
this passage in my journal of letters before I left…
“I want to tell you
to be safe, I know you won’t. I want to tell you not to get hurt, I know you
will. I want to tell you to stay here, I know you cannot. I want to tell you to
be sure and come back home but I know that home is where the hands and feet of
God take you- thus you will never leave “home.”
HE WAS SO RIGHT!
That’s how I feel! So the fact that I need a little over $2000 in the next
month doesn’t scare me. God is bigger than that. And I’m staying HERE where God
has called me. This is my HOME. If you feel a burden on your heart to give to
me (Even if it’s simply a dollar) because every little bit counts because after
all, I live on $4 a day… Please click on the “SUPPORT ME” button.
PS. Thanks for the
words of advice daddy. I miss you and love you. You’re the smartest man in this
world.
<3 and butterfly
kisses.
