Down a toe nail and I am still rejoicing!
It all started the second morning in Malawi! Every morning a team is on water duty where you carry 20 liter jugs half mile down a hill, through a corn field to the well. At the well you proceed to pump 80-100 times to fill your jug and typically locals are at the pump too and you help fill up their water baskets. And this morning my team was on water duty.
Started at 5am, on a crisp cool morning and I was eager to get started. The locals and the team that did water duty the day before recommended to go bare foot because it was easier. All the jugs have cracks at the top so water pours out the side when you carry them, plus sand, and you end up with dirt caked on you. Somehow doing it bare foot makes it easier to go up the hill and overcome the wet muddy shoe issue.
Barefoot I went. The first run to the well went smooth. I pumped up my jug, helped a couple others and carried it back relatively easily to the camp using a variety of carry methods: right shoulder, left shoulder, bear hug, one handed, etc. I did whatever possible to ensure I didn’t stop walking and never set it down. The locals put it on their head….and that method I didn’t try.
Second trip went smooth too! I even helped a teammate carry their jug for a section of the journey back and I was feeling in the “zone” of carrying water.
The famous and last trip of the morning came and the start of the journey back was a struggle. Shoulders/arms sore from pumping so much, back was beginning to feel it, and overall just ready to be done. Mid way back I got my third or fourth wind and determined to power it home with an extra incentive….I needed to go to the bathroom. All I was thinking is how fast can I get back, and where is the nearest toilet paper. This was all going through me mind as I ascended the final hill to being done.
BAM! Ouch!
Something took out my toe on my left foot. I stub it on a rock at the top of the hill and I looked down to a puddle of blood. Calmly I set my jug down and waited for some assistance. Thankfully people were near by to carry my jug and start the cleaning process. The bad news after further inspection by a nurse on the squad is that I only managed to rip off 95% of the toe nail so the decision to pull it off the remainder or wait for it to rot off? We went with let it rot.
God taught me a ton through this experience.
1. I overcame my biggest phyiscal fear…which was loosing a toe nail or finger nail. I know it seems silly but it just seemed painful and I didn’t want to get one of those infected toes that never quite seem to heal. God led my through this process and I have no conquered that fear.
2. Being still, being vulnerable, and open to His plan. Because later that morning the squad split up into a couple groups. One went to film for an AIM promotion video, another went to do soccer ministry, and another group ended up doing Listening Prayer. I heard the vision for the soccer ministry the day prior and was excited to be apart of it but God had a greater plan.
The Listening Prayer group split in half to process and see what God laid on our hearts. My half came up with the following: hurt, healing, wholeness, mending. The other group came up with something similar too! Love the conformation God provides when you seek His plan. Then someone got a word from the Lord, that we were meant to minister to each other before reaching the communities that afternoon.
In that time of ministry with each other so much healing came out of it. So many people struggled with not feeling adequate, identity issues, and how could I help the locals. People spoke truth into each other, prayed over each other, and discussed scripture that talked of these issues.
So what did God teach you Eric?
I am naturally introverted and I prefer speaking to a group of people rather than discussing something with a group of people. It was a stretching experience to be in a group of 23 peers and discuss struggles. My main struggle is first and foremost identifying myself as a son of Christ. My whole life I put so much of my identity and security in earthly titles: cyclist, USC Alumni, Resident Mentor, Timken employee, variety of leadership roles in college, etc. The World Race has “stripped” me of such titles and has revealed to me that first and foremost I am a son of God!
All the other things are great but will eventually fade away, but embracing who you are in Christ will last for eternity. It is the most important relationship you can develop! How crazy is it that we are talk (pray) to the creator of the universe and He speaks back! Let that sink in for a second!
I have lived my entire life not letting that take fully priority. God took a toe nail of mine to ground me in His presence!
Be Bold in pursuing Christ daily in your life.
Be Intentional to spend time in the Bible and discussing what God is doing in your life.
Update: Yes my toe nail has fallen off and it is healing up nicely!
