Shortly I will be getting on a plane and flying back to America. 11 months, 11 countries, 1 incredible journey.
I was struggling with the words to recap this amazing year, so I figured I could try and show it in pictures. These are some of my favorite and most memorable from throughout the year.
I have been so blessed to meet many amazing people throughout the world this year and my life has always been impacted by them.
To everyone back home, thank you for all of the support, encouragement and love. I hope this gives you some insight into the year you were a part of!
Honduras: We lived and worked at a safe home for children who needed a safe place to escape the gangs. These two girls were always close to my side, even for my morning workouts. Although they made fun of the fact I wore the same clothes a lot and smelled bad (hey, we had bucket showers!) they brought me so much joy and laughter.
Guatemala: My team helped clear mountainside for a church. Children walked for miles to sit on rocks in the sun and hear about Jesus.
El Salvador: My team had no set mission host for the month so we constantly moved around and worked with different missionaries. One day we were staying with missionaries near the beach so I got up early to catch the sun rise.
El Salvador: At a children’s home on a 90 degree day I decided to jump in the kiddie pool and spent the afternoon playing with the kids. My mindset for ministry this year, “Dive in. Don’t worry if you look silly or out of place. Love people with all you have.”
Bulgaria: We spent time at a young men transition home for 20-25 year old guys. After a day of painting or sports we liked to wind down with a game of monopoly. Most of these men had been told they were worthless all of their lives, we just wanted them to know their true worth in the Lord.
Squad Leading: After month 4 I was asked to step into the role of Squad Leader. It taught me so much this year and I loved serving the squad in this role. This is my leadership team, three amazing people and they will be dear friends for life.
Albania: We were knee deep in pig poop, cleaning out tons of feces and building a new trough system. We also spent hours lime washing and cleaning a camp property to get ready for the kids coming in the summer.
Eastern Europe: The most beautiful countries I saw this year were in Eastern Europe. Albania, Bulgaria, Macedonia and Kosovo.
Victoria Falls: The most beautiful thing I saw all year. Powerful, majestic, unforgettable. I bungee jumped off the bridge at the falls between Zambia and Zimbabwe, but my greatest memory will be the awe I was in for the countless hours I watched the falls.
KIDS KIDS KIDS: Africa was filled with kids thirsting for love. In fact the whole world is, even America. So full of joy and life. Loving them like Christ does was the easiest way to share the gospel.
Zambia: From bible studies with widows, to clearing fields for after school programs and running ‘awana’ camps our first month in Africa was a wild and adventurous one. We spent a weekend out in a remote village and this is a shot of where we ate dinner every night. We lived on the banks of the powerful Zambezi river.
Malawi: Every day we hiked through the ‘Shire Highlands’ to share the gospel at homes and small mud churches. There was a mountain near our house I like to climb and catch the sunrise or sunset. This particular day it blew me way.
Mozambique: Although it was my hardest month, my time in Mozambique might be the most memorable of the year. This particular morning we woke up at 5:30 to head to the river and baptize new believers in the remote national park we were living in.
Thailand: We ended our month by heading up river to a remote village. Thailand on the left bank, Myanmar on the right bank. Most of my month was actually spent teaching English to and working with the Burmese community. Such gentle and humble people!
Cambodia: My church I worked with all month was filled with young passionate Christians. This generation is going to change Cambodia from the inside out. My month was filled with healing, new believers and God moving in powerful ways.
Malaysia: I spent my mornings as ‘Coach Daniel’ to a group of teenage girls. As you can see, our practice field skyline will soon be dominated by the rapid expansion and modernization of Kuala Lumpur.
Hardships: This year was TOUGH. No other way to put it. It’s easy to look through the instagram pictures and see the highlights, but it’s harder to capture the moments you spend sleeping in a closet under a mosquito net, or when every meal is cooked over coals that are started by the firewood you have to find, or the exhaustion and weariness that can hit at the worst times. I had to truly rely on the LORD as my strength this year because I couldn’t have physically done it any other way.
Facial Hair: As someone who has never been able to really grow facial hair I attempted all kinds of things this year. I didn’t shave month 5-8 and finished Africa looking like a crazy wild wilderness man, which was fitting for Mozambique. For ‘Man-istry’ in September I rocked a mustache that curled up on the sides. I am returning home with a little facial hair but nothing nearly as wild.
C-Squad: This was my family for the year. We served together, grew together, cried together, laughed together. All 41 of us that started this journey together is finishing together. These people will ALWAYS have a special place in my heart.
My Journey with God: Of everything that happened this year. The sermons given, the children held, the fields cleared…the most important thing was my walk with God. I am heading home more in love with him, with a better understanding of who I am as a SON and closer to him than I was when I started my World Race. And that, in my opinion, is what it’s all about.
See you soon America!
