“I had no idea what I signed up for.” – a well used phrase that has graced my ears more than a dozen times when on previous missions trips and now on the World Race.
Usually that statement comes with a negative connotation, but this month, I found those words slipping out of my own mouth as I a profound gratefulness grew deep within my soul.
Have all the moments in Nepal been happy, peaceful, or enjoyable? Absolutely not. Reality is I have been cohabiting with 20 other people as three teams were stationed together this month- that’s 20 people, 1 bathroom. The amount of hours I have racked up on rickety buses and trail blazing jeeps easily surpasses several days, and I’ve left trips with bruises from the jostling journeys. I’ve thrown up and ran to the bathroom more times this month than I’ve ever experienced in my life. Showering was not out of desire, but out of sheer necessity as I could see my breath and my feet went numb from the cold. Picking out lice from head after head became a routine as it crept from person to person. Twelve river crossings stood between me and the remote village we trekked to resulting in wet pants and the decision to get rid of more stuff in my pack. Attempting to understand cultural differences was a choice as miscommunications occurred between myself and our contact.
No, not all moments this month have been laughs and smiles, but the revelation The Lord downloaded to my spirit was worth every minute designated to waiting in line for the bathroom, every bruise, every urgent sprint to the toilet, every icy cold shower, every hour spent killing lice, every time I thought the river current was going to overtake me, and every moment spent over communicating.
As we hiked a mountainside one morning, the Himalayan mountains emerged above the clouds in the distance, and if all the earth were to be silence, I feel as though they would have shouted praises to our Creator. In the shadow of these majestic mountains, my heart was overwhelmed that God (the Creator of the universe) loves me enough He desires to be in relationship with me!
I had no idea what I signed up for! Expectation exceeded, boundaries broken, hurts healed, insecurities conquered, and eyes opened- I had no idea what He could do with my life. I had no idea I signed up for the adventure of a lifetime, but more so I had no idea He would pursue my heart with such fierceness. I had no idea He could continually use me to love people by holding adorable babies, praying for the sick, sharing the life of Jesus Christ, hauling rocks from a river bed to help build a school, and leading an amazing team who refuses stop serving with all of their hearts. I no idea He would qualify me to live a life most people only dream of.
So as we leave our winter gear behind, my squad is heading into Uganda tonight where we will meet our World Race coaches and participate in processing these past two months. After debrief is completed, Rwanda is our destination for the month of March.
Thank you for your continual support! The March 1st deadline is almost here, and I am still in need of $2,700. Please consider sponsoring me as the journey continues. God bless you!
