Two things I have been asked repeatedly since being home I would like to elaborate on now:
First question: What is ONE thing God taught you over the past 11 months?
I could want nothing less than to be ABLE to sum up into one answer or even be able to choose one thing that God has taught me this year. Part of the beauty of this journey is that God did a MILLION things in me this year. At the same time I appreciate everyone’s efforts in asking me about my journey and how God was growing and changing me.
I decided to share with everyone my #1 answer.
I have gotten to know the Holy Spirit intimately.
Before my time as a racer I was a cookie cutter Christian. I went to church, joined bible studies, and looked for opportunities to jump up and bite me when it comes to sharing the love of Christ. I was stuck on the banks of the river with my toe barely caressing the waters of possibility of who the Holy Spirit was and a relationship with him. I had an urge in my heart for a long time to jump in but didn’t know the depth or if there were sharp rocks at the bottom. I was unsure and scared. I didn’t have people around me to encourage me, people that had jumped in before me to tell me the water was incredible and that I would want to wade in it forever.
That urge did do some good. That little urge got me to training camp in July 2012. At training camp I found myself running toward the water but still afraid to jump in. I had a smile on my face, a new fire in my heart but still no cannonball into that river.
Over the course of this year God has been placing people, places, and experiences in my path to guide me on my run to the river. My smile constantly grew wider and my fire growing out of control.
At the end of the race in month 11 I chose my final word to sum it all up.
I chose FEARLESS.
This year I grew fearless. I grew to know the Holy Spirit. I learned to stop and listen. I learned to love his gentle nudging’s toward God’s will for my life. I learned to be patient. I learned to be kind. I learned to be content.
This year I grew to know the Holy Spirit and I found my ability through Christ to be FEARLESS.
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Second question: What was your favorite month?
This was another difficult question to sum up in one simple answer. There is one obvious answer and that would be India but it doesn’t stop there.
I love India for so many reasons.
-I never expected to love it.
-I initially didn’t want to go there.
-The kids STOLE my heart. Not just like every child does because I simply do just love children but DEEPLY stole my heart in a way that I know only God had ordained
-The food.
-The people we worked with.
-The way the foster moms loved their children was inspiring.
-I could go on and on…
It would be sad if I said I only loved one country because God didn’t intend on me loving one place and it’s people and experiences. God planned for me to fall in love with 11 places and I believe that is what I did.
Albania-
I loved that month because our squad was together. (Some may disagree… and at the time I would probably say I am crazy!) I cherish our times of fellowship going through Proverbs or worshipping all together. Finding those kids among the masses that needed a little extra love. I loved experiencing all the first month stuff together..homesickness, squatty potties, strange food, community living, doing ministry, ect.
Serbia-
I loved this time that I got to spend with my team. We were in a small town with not a lot to do because everyone was on holiday and we were such last minute visitors to the church. A teammate led a bible study on the book of James and I believe it bonded us all together. We invested into one another and as hard as that was at times I enjoyed it.
Romania-
This month the weather was beautiful. We had a few teams living together in the mission house and although hectic our dinners together were yummy and some of the best fellowship on the entire race. I had one of my favorite days and one of my most difficult days both in this month. I was able to do street ministry with a random group and met an incredible guy willing to share what little he had with us. I also struggled as a team leader this month and felt I was seeking God for the first time in how to handle a difficult time. Also, the ministry contact there was inspiring. He was URGENTLY on fire for the Lord.
Nepal-
This was by far my most difficult month for a lot of reasons. Looking back that was a month I didn’t write a single blog. I think I was embarrassed to share with my supporter that I was not enjoying where I was. If it wasn’t for the view of the Himalayas from our rooftop for tea time every day I might have quit and come home. That month I appreciated the beauty that was around me. I felt God comforting me through those moments where I could just stare at His beautiful creation. I learned to fight for justice. I learned to rely on my leadership. In the end I found value in all of these things. This was my favorite “struggle-bus” month.
Thailand-
I loved having some creature comforts back again. I loved our contact and their family. I loved getting to celebrate Christmas with people that opened their home to us and gave us a family Christmas after all. I loved being with the other all girls team. Fifteen girls and everyone getting along was a miracle .J I loved getting a chance to do bar ministry; something so out of my comfort zone. Our off day excursions were pretty stellar. Our little huts that we got to live in were the best living arrangement!
Cambodia part 1-
I loved the ministry contact here as well. His testimony is one of the most incredible stories I have ever heard. He is a true inspiration and I feel blessed to have served with him. I loved the children that we taught. I loved the vulnerability of the high school students I taught and all their really hard questions about faith and who God is. I loved preaching this month. I loved getting a chance to get to know some YWAM people!
Cambodia part 2-
As much as I have loved a lot of my contact this month they were by far my favorite. These people were not just contacts or friends but they became like family. I would cook our meals with them and we would talk about everything; sometimes serious and other times we just goofed around. I loved being the first WR team to go there. I love how much the university students just wanted to love us and have us love them. Family dinners in our contacts kitchen were the best.
Philippines-
I love that this country is made up of a bunch of islands. I loved our contacts and that we were their first WR team as well. I love that I got to actually use my tent. I always felt so loved and taken care of there. The food was awesome. ( I still miss those breakfast sandwiches) I love that our team was able to goof around and be silly 98% of the time. They had the best group of youth kids I have ever known. These groups of people were so giving. They gave us the royal treatment everywhere we went. I loved our off days on the boat. I loved being able to run!!! I had some of the most amazing conversations that month with my teammates. I love my girl Mae and her family!
Swaziland-
I loved getting to live in a room with just the two girls from my team; it was our little haven. I loved our ministry at the Hope House. We met some individuals and their families dealing with terminal illnesses and we grew to love one another. Buying one of the patients a soccer ball was the best money I have ever spent. I got to spend the month with two of my best friends for the first time. We celebrated Easter like a family.
South Africa-
We were able to stay with a family this month; for me the first time on the race. I loved teaching at the school. I felt kind of like a mother because I loved the kids at the school so much but they would make me soo made sometimes but yet I still loved them. Our contact carved time into our schedule for us to start to process the race. Our contact and his family were amazing. It was obvious how much they love the Lord and not just by their words but by all their actions it was known. We had freedom this month to go and do things. I feel we made a positive impact on the community, the school, and our host families this month.
It is hard to pick a favorite but I can say I loved all my months just for very different reasons.
Thanks for reading….I think just writing this helped me appreciate it all a little bit more and to process.
X
