What a great Christmas on the Race.
The more festive our group became, the more I longed for home, and the more trapped I felt in Africa, on The Race. It was really hard to be away from my family for the very first time ever on Christmas. The extreme heat of Mozambique had really helped me to breeze over the holiday season and pretend it wasn’t happening. But the more I heard Christmas music and the more Christmas movies were played, the more I began to picture a lovely, snowy Christmas back home, happening without me. It was heartbreaking.
I don’t know at what point I became an adult, where pain presses on your heart deep down, making you feel it in your core instead of out on the surface, easily wiped away, like when you’re young. That’s how I was feeling. Without. I was feeling without.
But then, God spoke. He asked me if I loved Him. Of course, I said yes. He asked if I would follow Him wherever, and again, yes. It was then that He reminded me that that was why I was here, away from family. I had followed Him here in love, and for that, it didn’t matter where I was and who I was missing. At the end of the day, it’s just me and Him. I love Him. So. . . here’s where I’ll be.
For Christmas Eve, the teams planned a beautiful, candle-lit service. Peter Dinh reminded us that Jesus coming to Earth as a human baby was “the single most extraordinary act of love the world has EVER seen.” Peter Frizelle reminded us that the beauty of our service was that it wasn’t being conveniently put on by a church, and we were just showing up. Instead, our service happened because we wanted it to happen, because we all love God so much to meet together to recognize His gift to us.
This reminded me of the game I’m playing, The “You’ll Never Be Here Again” Game. Never again will I be in Mozambique on The World Race with these God-loving people, celebrating the birth of my Lord. Never again will I get to spend Christmas with Kathryn Law, my beloved friend. Never again will I receive hand-sewn gifts from Bea. Never again will I be cooked amazing foods and spend the day lying on a sleeping mat on the floor of a cement house while reading Francine Rivers. There’s so much to cherish.
Life really is a journey, but sometimes we get too lost to see it.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a GOOD night!
Current financial status: $13,564.31
Thank you to Ms. Lewis! This is yet another way you have blessed my life!! Jesus bless you!
