The World Race allows participants to do a wide variety of ministry. One month you can be in the jungle of Nepal chopping down bamboo trees in order to construct a fence, the next month you may be praying over hundreds of people, or even teaching at local schools for impoverished children. It is in this way that we are able to experience the variety of ways in which God moves and calls us to act in order to further his kingdom. Each day may be distinctly different, and certainly each month will be, but we have the same goal, to spread God’s love, and live out his kingdom. However, even with this unchanging goal, we begin to learn new things about ourselves, and our walk with our Father.
This month we have been working primarily within local schools in Nakham Si Thamarat, which is in southern Thailand. Each day we have rotated between several different schools, teaching a variety of age groups. While working at each of these schools you are able to pick up on a certain personality that exists within each individual school. On some days, dependent on the school, the kids seem to have drunk a gallon of coffee each before they came that day, while others groups seem as if they had been sprayed with Ritalin before we came in. Either way each day holds its own lessons that we teach and are taught ourselves. Often the lesson is on patience for us, but sometimes it can be something wholly different.
As any teacher would probably tell you, the measuring stick for success changes as you accumulate years of experience under your belt as a teacher. What I mean by this is that for each student, in each situation, and in each subject, there becomes a different way in which you measure individual success or growth. The same holds true when you are teaching or explaining something half way around the world to a group of kids who don’t understand a word you’re saying. The hope that all we say will be clearly comprehended soon changes to simple joy in the fact that we can just stand next to a kid and hold their hand and it will make them happy. Or, when we plan on making a professional looking soccer goal for the kids, and in reality we end up with a couple PVC boxes strung together with fishing net. Each day has a way of changing our perception of success.
Although frustration can occur at times when we have grandiose plans, and they don’t turn out how we expect them, I am beginning to learn that how I measure success will look a little different in The Kingdom. For too long I have deemed myself unsuccessful by the world’s standards because I have held myself to a standard I could not achieve, this lead to years of self-abuse, and animosity towards the thought of stepping into a personal growth process.
God however is showing me that I, as well as others, excel in ways the world may not judge as being of great significance, but our Father does. So it’s safe to say that just as our standard of measurement for an individual’s learning and growth changes based on the individual, so has mine based on my mindset. Now I am stepping into a Kingdom mindset, and I am throwing the old ruler in the trash. I ask you to do the same, to see yourself in a different light, and view your success not with the measurement put forth by the world, but instead the accurate ruler of our Father. Amen.
I am still raising money to continue my journey on The World Race. I need approximately 1,500 dollars by October 1st. I am asking you to continue to take part in this journey, and see the amazing things that God has planned for the next 11 months. If you feel led to support me you can do so by clicking the "support me" link on the left side of the page
Thank you for reading and for the support. If you have any questions about me, The World Race, or support feel free to send me an email. Thanks.
Email: [email protected]
Sincerely In Christ,
Garrett
