I fell in love.
I fell in love with a big city.
I never thought I would say those words. Living the city life was more than a dream, it had become real life. The problem though, God asked me to give it up and go spend the next 11 months around the world. He asked me to go tell people about Jesus and learn about myself.
I wasn’t ready to leave my town, my friends, my church, and families that I had come to love. I had made a life of my own and was immersed in community that I had longed for. I came to love Mondays more than ever before. I lived with the sweetest family and became one of their own. God blessed me with another brother and sister who added so much laughter to my life. I got to do life with students who longed to grow in their faith and wanted to see God move. It was refreshing, motivating, and needless to say so much fun!
Then it happened, God asked me to give it up the first month of my race and I didn’t want to listen. Month two and I couldn’t run anymore. He said I want ALL of you Courtney! I thought I had given it to Him. I guessed wrong. I finally listened and did what God wanted me to, I surrendered the life I had loved more than anything.
I felt empty and was just sitting in my brokenness. It was HARD. I wasn’t sure what to do next or where to turn..all I knew was to run to our Father. Seriously, no kidding all He told me was, “Court just wait, its going to be okay.” Thats what I did, I waited.
Month three and we are in the beautiful country of Ecuador. I knew this month was going to reveal something huge. I had no expectations and knew nothing about this country. I had no idea what God was going to show me.
I fell in love, again.
I fell in love with Ecuador.
My team has had the opportunity to visit a Senior Living Home, where I met Manuel and saw Jesus in Him first hand. I didn’t think I would ever love Mondays again like I did before the race, I was wrong. Monday/Tuesday we travel to Manta and spend time at an orphanage. We drive past the beautiful blue waters as waves crash against the shore and up into the lush green mountains to love on some precious children. We have been immersed in a church community that I thought I would never find again. The people of Ecuador have stolen my heart. Cindy and Kayla have the most contagious joyful laugh I’ve ever heard. Jorge and Jorge Luis, have, in our world, what we would consider nothing but seriously have smiles that light up the room. The Holy Spirit radiates off of them and you can feel the presence of God like never before. Percy and Gema are the most two loving people I’ve ever met, not to mention they have the cutest three month old little girl. They have served us with the most willing and loving hearts!
God has shown me that I can give up a life I’ve loved, so He can show me His love in a completely new way. He has shown me that I can love immensely and not find my worth in it, but find my worth in Him. Every single day He continues to teach me to be thankful for the life He has blessed me with. I learn daily that in all reality it is easier to run to Him than away from Him. He has laid the path of my life before me and wants to take this journey hand in hand together. He keeps teaching me that He might take things away from us we love but He will show us something greater if we are willing to listen.
What are you running from today? What is God asking you to surrender in your life?
I am about $1,800 away from reaching my next deadline of October 1st. Thank you to everyone who has already helped expand the kingdom of God by supporting me. Would you prayerfully consider helping me reach this deadline?
