So, I think this World Race thing has finally become a reality for me. Not only do we now have an itinerary (more like Tentative/Flexible Schedule), but I have also had the opportunity to visit other AIM sites, and meet with some of the people that we may be working with. Weird!
As I write this, most of you are probably still sleeping. It’s early Saturday morning, and I’ve been up for about 4 hours, still trying to recover from the annoying reminder of my frail humanity… jet lag. After doing a brief tour of Europe (we had three layovers), I was able to return home from my wonderful, three-week, post-graduation, “I no longer have to study!” vacation in the beautiful countries of South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Swaziland.
Some of my friends have been working there with AIM since September, and I took this trip in an effort to satisfy my thirst for adventure, my love of travel, and my desire to encourage those who are currently on the “front lines.” I also got to meet the missionaries and native people with whom my friends have been working, and I even stayed in the places they have called “home” for the past three months. Needless to say, I was incredibly excited when I realized that our training will probably be in some of the very places that I have already visited. My parents also breathed a huge sigh of relief as well since I have been to these places, and have lived to tell about it.
So, to my fellow team members, I want to encourage you by saying “Be encouraged!” The Lord is doing awesome things in these places, and I know that He will challenge us, and equip us for our time there. I also want to say, get ready to “Rough it.” You learn very quickly what is deemed a “necessity” and a “luxury”, especially while you are traveling through a country such as Swaziland.
Basically, a necessity for human existence would be air and water, and perhaps, at times, a little food. That’s about it! That said, I would use this time leading up to our June departure to prepare your heart and your body for what the Lord has in store. Ask Him to show you areas of your life that are not necessarily a “necessity” but rather a “comfortable luxury.” We have many of those in this great country, and now is a good time to mentally prepare, and let go of some of those things that we hold so dear. Such as, but not limited to: running water, hot water, and clean water. The list goes on and on, and I’m laughing as I write this, but I’ll leave it at that for now!
So what? So maybe we give up a few luxuries for awhile…isn’t that the least we can do? In an effort to not sound like an arrogant, pious know-it-all, I humbly write these words to encourage you and prepare you- as I know that I myself will struggle at times. But, I have to say that the desire for air conditioning, mocha frappucinos, or personal space can’t compare to the feeling of the Lord’s presence in the midst of poverty and heartache. He will meet us there.
