It’s roughly halfway through the Race and I want to reflect back in a way. I am halfway home and don’t even know where home is anymore. So far, the World Race has been absolutely nothing like I imagined. When they say to have no expectations, they mean NONE, because you spend months being disappointed or frustrated. I have yet to really make physical sacrifices, have had nice homes to stay in, good food for the most part, and a lot of free time.
The challenges have come from other areas-community, personal growth, relationships back home ending, and deaths both here and back home. I look back at why I came on this journey- to love on people around the world and allow God to soften my heart and give me a more gentle spirit. Never did I think He would do it in the ways He is, but that shows how little I understand.
In the last 5 months, I have been more angry, frustrated, and homesick than ever in my life and thought about going home every day until about a couple weeks ago. I finally saw that God is working on all of the things He said he would, just not in the fun, exciting ways I want. So, I am sticking it out and finding joy in whatever pain and frustrations come. Now, I don’t want you to think it’ all bad- certainly not. It’s been a crazy and often-times, amazing ride. I haven’t even gotten sick, eaten anything bad, or had to go more than a few days without a shower! Here are some highlights-
BULGARIA- This was almost a whole month of ATL (ask the Lord) ministry where every day my team and I would just pray and see where the Lord led. This led to so many memorable moments and I grew in my sensitivity to the Spirit. Plus, it was fun living in our Summer home and being a family.
HUNGARY- A month of discernment and frustration but also prayer and triumph. This beautiful country is where God revealed that thankfulness is the key to the consistent joy I was seeking. Praying through the night during 24-hour prayer was so powerful.
INDIA- Originally, this was the one place I was most hesitant, and least excited about, so naturally, it is the country that I connect with most and ministry that will be with me forever. The children at Sarah’s Covenant home feel like my own and I plan on always be involved with the wonderful family there, especially one girl, Melanie, that God placed on my heart to help support and I am dying to see again.
NEPAL- I learned so much about family from the family we stayed with and my new team who finally broke me into having some fun amidst the things I am going through both on and off the Race.
KENYA- This may have been the toughest month with being homesick, having a hard time with ministry, and ending a relationship. Making it through this month with more joy was a confirmation of the promise the Lord shared that living a life of thanks will be joy.
RWANDA- So far, this place has been a beautiful halfway point that is surprisingly very homey. Being able to preach daily is wonderful and my highlight is preaching on the radio. Having real goals and beginning to meet them this month is a victory for our team.
Overall, I have gotten to fly over Mount Everest, get an African and Hungarian massage, witness to Buddhist monks, hike through amazing scenery all over the world, preach on a Rwandan radio, sing in front of an entire school, play with beautiful children, swim in the Indian Ocean, and soooo much more!
