It’s almost time to leave Malaysia, and I’m beginning to feel like I’m in some sort of surreal time warp. Back when I was in India, I felt like the Race would be forever…literally. I will be honest and tell you that the thought crossed my mind a few times, “What did I sign up for?” I got a little frustrated with all the alumni racers and AIM staff that said it would go so fast, and wondered if they’d been talking about the same World Race that I was on. But now as I sit in Malaysia, and I’m in my last 5 days in Changlun before I head back to Kuala Lumpur to prepare to leave this continent with the rest of T-squad, I suddenly feel the weight of what each one of those alumni racers said. Dang. I’m about to say goodbye to Asia.
The place I’ve called home for the last 5 months. The place where I’ve had flesh-eating skin rashes, my eye swollen shut, and food that I never thought I’d put in my mouth. The place where I learned what culture shock felt like, where my heart broke for people I didn’t know, and where I began to realize that the comforts of home were not something I could rely on for joy.
The place where I learned to grieve; where I learned what it looks like to love fiercely; where I’ve stepped into more freedom that I ever thought possible.
The place where I learned that I don’t need the things I know and love at home with me to be happy, and the place where I learned how laugh; to live in the joy of the Lord. Where I’ve climbed mountains and seen my Tuk-tuk driver know Jesus for the first time. Where I’ve known what it feels like to be free.
I’m learning how to be vulnerable, and how to love people hard; I’ve cried for hours with the women on my team, and I’ve seen them walk into boldness and freedom.
And as I tell you these things, there’s excitement growing in my heart for these next 6 months. Because as amazing as Asia has been, the Lord is calling me out of good things and into greater things. I’ve walked into some great things, but it’s time to keep running. I’m at a refuel checkpoint in my Race, but by no means do I plan to slow down.
I’m at a point in my life where I know there’s no turning back. Old things in my life are falling away, and I can either try to run backwards and get caught up in the rubble, or I can run forward.
So, here I go. You’re on this journey with me. I can’t promise anything near perfection, but I can promise to say yes to what Jesus is doing in and through me. So, as I prepare to head into Africa, I say yes to freedom. Yes to newness. Yes to healing. Yes to change. Yes to the Holy Spirit moving. Yes to life.
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
UPDATE: I wrote this before I left for Africa, but now I’m HERE! My team and I were re-routed to Namibia, and we’re currently living at an orphanage. There are 84 kids here, and it’s been both beautiful and heartbreaking to experience life here. I know that the Lord will move in a big way through us here. We are excited to celebrate a wonderful Christmas with them. Keep us in your prayers, and know that I miss you all like crazy! I don’t have wifi this month, but I will post another blog as soon as I can! I love you all very much, and I can’t wait to tell you everything!
In order to continue for these next 6 months on the World Race, I must reach my final financial deadline. I have to reach this by December 31st! I’m only $3,800 away! This is more than amazing! God is good. I only have a little longer to reach this deadline. Will you consider supporting this mission the Lord has called me to? You can donate on the left side of this page under the “Support Me” tab. Thank-you for following my journey, it truly means a lot.
Until next time,
Casey
