I raised humble hands and worshiped with a grateful heart as I stood next to Megan and Liz at Hillsong Church. My journey somehow brought me from a plane to Panama all around the world to Cape Town, South Africa. I have seen much, experienced things I will never be able to express in words, and changed in ways that I cannot even began to know. Sometimes I do not even know how I got here.
For so long now the World Race has been apart of my life. It began well before I boarded that Panama bound plane. It began when I said yes and began fundraising $16,255. Remember all of those emails and posts you received from me about supporting through fundraising and events? Well that is long gone. God provided again and again.
Then came the buying backpacks, clothes, water bottles, shoes, a sleeping pad, and every other random object I “thought” I would need for my 11-month journey. To be honest, if there is anything I have learned, it’s that although I think I need something, I need very little.
Then came departing from my friends and family. That was emotional and hard in ways that I cannot express. I will never forget sitting alone at the airport in the early morning hours with tears streaming down my face as I waited for my plane to arrive. That was so difficult, yet at the same time it was so beautiful because I was fulfilling a life long dream to follow God around the world.
Then there was the actual Race itself. The World Race has brought me to slums where I was certain I was going to get mugged, robbed, or assaulted (I didn’t). It brought me to work in schools, meeting incredible teachers and students. It brought me to feeding centers where 85% of children I saw were being abused. It brought me to orphanages that were filled with children that although they were unwanted by their families, they understood the love of the Father in ways that I cannot comprehend. It brought me to a home for children that were about to be sold by their families into slavery. It brought me to places where the church is being persecuted and the Gospel of Christ’s redeeming love cannot be openly shared. The Race has brought me face to face with children that don’t have enough to eat and access to no education because they don’t have money for a school uniform.
I’ve been able to meet modern day disciples of Jesus that are laying down their lives for the Savior of the world daily. I have been healed and I have seen people healed. I have seen the Spirit of Jesus move undeniably in very dark places. I have followed Jesus and seen incredible things happen. I also have had my fair share of times I have chosen not to follow Him. Through it all He has been there.
The Race brought me to stepping into things that I struggle with like leading a team, then a squad of 34 people alongside of Megan and Liz (You simply can’t find better people then them). It brought me to a place of falling in love with the scriptures that I have never experienced before. My experiences this year have also brought me to tears on several occasions while moved by sadness and joy.
I’ve tasted foods I never thought I would eat. I’ve slept in places I never dreamed to sleep (Two people on our squad counted all the places they have slept and their number was around 50). I have been sick beyond anything I have ever experienced. I have lain in a hospital bed in pain missing my family and feeling alone.
I have lived in community with people for months on end experiencing love, joy, irritation, and annoyance towards them. I’ve been in big cities and small villages. I have gone days without showers and doing laundry (I know it is time to shower when I smell myself. I know it is time for laundry when I can smell my socks).
I have seen pretty much every animal you can think of (besides squirrels, they are pretty hard to find around the world). I have taken boats, planes, trains, motorbikes, Tuk Tuks, Songtao’s, Kombi’s, and other modes of transportation.
I have seen my parents lives changed in Africa as they held children that have no family. I have haggled in markets, and been stared at for 11-months straight. I have been hot beyond anything you can imagine (114 degrees in Cambodia) and cold beyond anything I was prepared for (Wait, you didn’t know Africa has winter?).
I have worked medical missions, dug trenches, ministered to mudslide victims that had lost everything, built buildings and playgrounds, and dug more trenches. I have spoken and sang in front of churches (Getting randomly called up to sing was quite an experience).
Sitting here at 4 a.m. on a cold and wet African morning unable to sleep, I realize this blog could literally go on forever. In case you haven’t realized by now, it has been a full year. It has been a difficult year. It has been a fun year. I have experienced so much and am so grateful that so many have supported and followed my journey. I feel that the Race is a gift and I have thoroughly enjoyed it.
So as I finish my last blog, you may ask me what’s next? The Race is just the beginning for me, not the end. What Christ has done in my life abroad, I will bring back home. I will continue to share the Gospel with those around me. I will continue to love people radically. If there is anything I have learned this year, it is that although there may be different languages, cultures, smells, foods, and ways of life around the world; Christ is needed everywhere.
I go back home to my family that I have missed. To a new niece and so much that has changed back home. I go back to a new job teaching literacy to 5th grade students. Most importantly I go back having people that I now consider family all over the world.
