So as most of you know, about 3 weeks ago I left the Race early.
A lot happened in Month 3 (Cambodia).. I went from having a month with no internet or air conditioning, sleeping on a church floor teaching English and praying for the village people: to my boyfriend (now fiancé) showing up spontaneously outside of said church to ask me to spend forever with him! YES he is CRAZY but in the best way possible 🙂 In the midst of all of that alone time with God and with my team, God was preparing me for what was next. Unknown to me.
I had quite a few God days in Cambodia before Luke (fiancé) came along. God showed me that Cambodia was my country. I grew SO much in those 3 1/2 weeks. I saw God there. For one of first times in my life, I felt like I was HOME and that feeling only grew larger once Lukas had arrived. We agreed that we both felt that we would be back there someday as my contact, one of my best friends, and I drove Lukas to the airport to say our final goodbyes. As we stood in that Cambodian airport, I couldn’t bring myself to cry.. I was actually trying to force it a little bit (if i’m being honest haha). As he walked away, God gave me an unbelievable peace that I would be seeing him again soon. So, I headed back to the church and spent the last week in Cambodia in prayer trying to make sure that what I was feeling was from God and not from myself. Over that week, a lot of things happened back in America that started to point me home even QUICKER.
BUT… I knew that it wasn’t time to leave yet. So I got on the 16 hour bus ride and then another 27 hour bus ride with my team to Da Nang, Vietnam AND praise the LORD i did! We were partnered with an amazing organization (Orphan Voice– orphanvoice.org) where we were able to bond with a wonderful family and do ministry work. During my time there, I was able to go to a nearby village with my friend Dani and provide therapy to a group of special needs children! It was unbelievable.
Before I came on the Race, if i’m being completely honest, I was so burnt out with physical therapy. This was exactly what God knew I needed to fill me back up again. He showed me that every time I touch a person he is using me to be his healing hands. I never looked at it like that before. He showed me that I am called to LOVE and that for this portion of my life, therapy is my outlet. SO with a lot of quality time spent with God, my team, and those children I knew it was time to come home. So I booked my ticket and with no feeling of regret, it was time to close another chapter of my life and begin the next.
Before I came on the Race, I was begging God for a change. I was begging him to change my heart and help me find direction. Little did I know, he was going to use the Race to open my eyes to be his. He wanted me to look at each patient, resident, friend, family member, or stranger the way he looks at them. He taught me a lot about my spiritual gifts and the things he’s given me to give out to others. He also gave me a direction, i’m headed for a marriage with a man that loves me and most importantly LOVES him. “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” Matthew 18:20.
In the midst of all of the craziness with the Race, I had a plan. I planned to be overseas for 11 months and as that plan progressed I started to get used to the plan. Well as Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. I thought I knew the plan, but now I don’t and that’s AWESOME because God does and that’s the only part Lukas or I actually need to “know”. He is good. He is good every second of every minute of every day.
SO as I am back “home”. It’s been a hard transition for me, and it still is. I found an apartment and as I made my “plans”, things have already changed. As I will be possibly taking a therapy job in Bakersfield, CA for 3 months away from all my friends, family, and Lukas once again. I know that God is with me wherever I go and that his plans and our adventure together continues.. and I can’t wait to see what that looks like! 🙂
Thank you so much to all of my supporters!!! I wouldn’t have been able to spend 4 amazing months in Asia without your help. The World Race is doing amazing things with God’s direction and helping God to change so many lives. So with that being said, if you were planning on continuing to donate to me two of my teammates ,Alicia Wrigley and Dani Dakil, are still in need of funds to be fully funded by July 1st. If you feel called, look em up.. I know that they would be forever grateful 🙂 love you all!
To my team, other squad mates, and squad leaders: Thank you so much for your love and investment and in my life. I gained some forever friends, sisters, and brothers and I couldn’t be more thankful for what God did for all of us. Good luck in Africa and Europe. Luke, myself, and all of my supporters will be praying for you!!!
To all my family and friends for all of the prayer while I was gone: Thank you sooo much!!!! Your prayers and facetimes, Facebook messages, or any forms of encouragement helped me so much and I hope that I can return all of that love right back to you!!
God taught me SO much and please don’t hesitate to reach out to me to hear about it. I know that my time spent on the Race should be used as a testament for what he can do in a person’s life. My journal is exploding with his lessons and as i’m still processing it all, and probably still will be for a long time.. I’d love to share it with you.. or if you just simply need someone to pray with you or for you.. please let me be that person!
I won’t be continuing blogs on here anymore but I will be starting a new blog soon for my adventures and Luke and I’s adventures together, both with God as our leader. So stay tuned. It sure is a beautiful life!! Until next time <3
Darlene Rae
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