Change of Heart
So I’m currently riding a bus from Singapore to Kuala Lampur, Malaysia, and so much has happened the last few days! Australia.. Ahhh… you are something else! Such a beautiful place and the nicest people.. But man that was tough. So I brought a brand new camera about 2-3 weeks ago.. It is AWESOME! But in true Crystal fashion, I left it at the ywam house in airlie beach… ahhhhhhh… my contact is going to try to send it to the post office here in Malaysis! I know God has his hand in that situation and will get it to me. Is it weird that I miss Asia? I guess not.. But so thankful God is allowing us to come back for more!
Things I miss: FRESH FRUIT! Prices, the people.. Especially the children, the weather (I know its blazing hot, but not pouring down rain and wet too), did I mention fresh fruit? Ok.. Fresh fruit smoothies, markets, being able to hug and squeeze the children.. And fresh fruit..
So to humor you guys, we landed in Singapore about 8 or 9pm last night.. And our bus wasn’t until 8am this morning.. So we slept in the Singapore airport which is pretty hoppin! We finally found a cozy corner with not many people and spread out our 43 backpacks, our 43 day packs, about 4-5 guitars.. Etc etc, you get the picture. Some people take off to explore, others lay out to go to bed. Little do we know.. About 10pm right when we are laying down and getting cozy, in true world race fashion, we have camped out right beside a construction sight (within the airport) and until about 4am they continuously used jackhammers… we were cracking up!! Of course they would.. Right where we had decided to “sleep”. Luckily everyone had awesome attitudes and earplugs.. Too much work to move! 5:30am we gathered and headed to the bus station and then through the border into Malaysia. I can’t wait to see where we are staying! One more interesting fact.. Going through the border into Malaysia there was a sign that reads “no smuggling drugs or narcotics, if caught: death by hanging” with a picture of a noose, no joke.. They will seriously hang you to death.. WOW I have never in my life seen something so serious! Good thing I’m just bringing Jesus.. No death by hanging for Him.. He’s been there done that.. Got the scars.. Thank you Jesus for loving me that much..
So I officially have a NEW TEAM! Our name is… drum roll……..
ROOTED… so many great messages from that. We derived it from Psalm 1.. Particularly verse 3- “They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.” Also in Ephesians 3:17 “Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in Him. You roots will grown down deep into God’s love and keep you strong.” Both such awesome descriptions of our team already. The names of my team are: leader- Ben Gagne, then Trey Genser, Natasha “Tye” Ritsema, Julie Malamant, and Beka Fritz. Beka and I have been on the same team together so I am so excited to continue to grow our friendship and bond. Even though she may not say so, I think we have more in common that meets the eye.. And I am so proud to call her my sister! I am so excited for this new season.. All the members of my new team are eager to grown in Gods love and spirit. We are such a powerhouse and can’t wait to see how we will be used and come together as a family. Ben has an amazing gift of speaking and preaching. I know God will use that for me.. I can’t wait to soak in as much as I can from him! Trey is such a free spirit, amazing surfer dude! Makes me smile.. And I believe we are both going to use each other for greatness.. Teaching each other everything we can from music to wisdom. We come from similar pasts so I know God will use that in so many ways! Three North Carolina girls.. Hehe southern charm baby! Julie is actually from charlotte, I met her before training camp and we rode together.. Her dad actually works with/knows two of my clients! So funny! (shout out to Shelby and Wendy Shedd if you are reading this!) She has such a sweet spirit and has already taught me so much.. Its also nice to have someone to talk to about home.. And Tye, we were actually together in Thailand when our teams were paired up.. While we were there and in Australia we have been asked if we are sisters.. We have similar personalities and apparently we favor each other! Its funny because her sister is actually on the race as well… She is such a servant and I love that! She has already encouraged me so much!
