18 straight months of living in a different country. 8 continent changes. 2 different squads.
Countless children hugged, sermons given, floors slept on and lives forever altered….especially my own.
Yes, the last year and a half has been a pretty incredible whirlwind for me. Last January I began my World Race with C-squad and this past January I helped pioneer and lead the first ever WR Fusion squad. Each experience was incredible and challenging but it’s hard for me not to feel the two morph into one larger journey that The Lord had me on.
As I returned home in June I was looking forward to some rest, home cooked meals and getting to see a lot of friends and family throughout the summer months.
In my mind I envisioned how the rest of this year would play out. A couple months of seeing friends and family, with some much needed down time this summer. I like to joke that over the last year and a half my body has actually aged about 5 years. Living the ‘World Race life’ can definitely take a toll on a man.
Then this Fall I would be back abroad onto the mission field. The place my heart beats for and where I feel most alive. A trip to Tanzania with my Dad and then back to Central America to continue to serve The Lord in a couple different countries.
Unfortunately, an unexpected thing happened….I messed up my knee so bad I could barely walk.
You see, I stayed healthy and injury free while I played countless games of basketball and soccer around the world, cliff jumped at Lake Malawi, Rock climbed in Swaziland and avoided gun shots in El Salvador. Yet after all this I was in America for one week and a simple jump into a small North Carolina river let my knee unable to bend. Life can be funny sometimes!
I thought for certain that I had torn ligaments, just like I did to my other knee in 2009. I heard the ‘pop’ when it happened and was expecting some bad news from the doctor. After finally getting an MRI it turns out to be strained MCL and a lot of small fractures in the bones around the knee. Instead of an expected surgery I am on crutches for 2-4 weeks as the knee gets some needed rest and hopefully the pain subsides.
In the meantime I’ve found life on pause.
It’s a really interesting and vulnerable place to be. So much unknown.
Praying for a quick recovery and healing, but nothing is set in stone. My plans for the Fall tentatively in place, but still dependent on how quickly my body heals.
Yet the beauty I’ve found in this situation is an amazing lesson I’ve been reminded of MANY times over the last year and a half. GOD is in control. He is beside us every step of the way and will never, ever leave us or forsake us. And that simple, yet powerful, truth brings peace to my soul.
Do I occasionally have a moment of frustration or feeling of loneliness? Of course. One of the side effects of being human. But thankfully those feelings and moments are fleeting as the Holy Spirit continues to give me a peace that truly passes all understanding.
This coming month I’m going to enjoy the blessings He has given me! A lot of rest and time to reflect on the journey I’ve been on, some great quality time with my family and countless hours of simply sitting with my Heavenly Father…and a big bowl of ice cream. Not much sweeter than that.
Of course I would love prayers for healing and a quick recovery! I will try and keep you updated on how the process is going and what He teaches me along the way. In the mean time I will rest in this beautiful reminder…
‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.’ – Proverbs 3:5-6
*When I do get healthy I will be raising more support to head to Central America. If you feel lead to financially support what God is doing in my life please hit the ‘Support Me!’ link on the left hand side of this page. Or contact me for more details. THANK YOU!*
