The Journey of 11 Countries in 11 months Begins with a single…LAUNCH!
All of my hotel roommates are still sleeping (as they should, it’s only 4:42 am)
This is it: Launch.
For those who’d appreciate an overview of Launch, it’s simply the time where all of the World Racers who are about to go out in the field reunite, get some nuggets of wisdom, pack and re pack their packs, get ready to go out onto the field, and then…. finally……. GO!
For those who would appreciate to hear how I saw and experienced Launch so far, (I’ve still got about 13 hours until I’m on a plane,) this is what I’ve experienced:
Lots of time full of giving and receiving hugs, hugs and more hugs.
Incredibly helpful and practical talks from AIM staff and speakers and discussions with squad mates.
Generosity like I’ve never seen it before. To elaborate, someone literally said to me, “Hey, do you want to borrow my brand-new Kindle Fire for the World Race?” ( Insert: “WHAT THE WHAT?!” here.) I also heard: “Yes, you can have all 3 packing cubes if you wish.” ( Again: “WHAT THE WHAT?”) AS I was in a convenience store, at the counter trying to pay, I couldn’t find my wallet in my bag. A young woman who was behind me eventually got to the counter. She looked at me, my snacks, and then suddenly told the cashier, I’ll grab all of her snacks too. It was a “mere” 3 dollars, but it was a mere 3 dollars I didn’t have at that moment which I now can give to someone who needs it more than I do.
Lots of team building, lots of great communication, some not-so-great communication.
The wonderful ride on the metaphorical see-saw of already feeling excited and a little homesick.
Getting reminder after reminder after reminder that the World Race is not about me, it’s about the Kingdom, and that although I’m giving up so many things, ultimately, if I’m open to it, I’ll be receiving more of the Lord than I can ever imagine, growing into the Daughter that the Lord has called me to be.
Getting both challenged and refreshed in my faith.
Pondering the question: Did I bring everything I needed to bring? ( The answer is always YES! Everyone has more than enough!)
Worshipping the Lord and dancing for Him so boldly and outrageously I almost fell over. Twice.
I think the coolest things I’ve experienced while observing others and myself during Launch was to be in the World Race community again, a community where people give hugs and things that others needs, people boldly pray for each other, and ask for big things from the Lord. A community where people are learning how to listen well, respect others well, and build them up into the men and women they were created to be. I’ve also observed that I made some mistakes, and others did as well, but we’re ok, and we gave each other Grace and we Forgave each other because as Sons and Daughters of Jesus Christ, as we are learning that that’s what Jesus did while He was here on earth, we’re learning to do that too.
I am so thankful that I could experience Launch, and begin to be in the World Race culture even in America. Through coming to Launch, I’ve learned that the command to “go out and make disciples” and love on each other well won’t begin when we’re at our contact’s place. It won’t even begin at the Guatemalan airport. It won’t even begin at the Atlanta airport. It’s ALREADY begun. It’s here. It’s now.
My plane leaves in exactly 12 hours. I’m simultaneously stoked, tired, excited and so much more.
Please be aware that you can join in on the journey too! The first and most important way you can join me is by praying for my team, ( Dependent by Faith) my squad ( A Squad) and you can pray for our safety, for our hearts to grow, for a desire for change, for us to be vulnerable with each other, for old wounds and scars to come to the surface, so as a team/ squad, ask for help and healing in Jesus’ name, for the people we meet to be moved by the Jesus they see in us, and extremely importantly, for the Kingdom of God to expand!
I’ll try to update as much as possible, so please subscribe or stay subscribed. Please subscribe by clicking the link ::Updates:: on the left side of my blog.
I am still raising support to be out on the World Race. I still have to raise approximately $7,953 dollars to stay out on the field. If you’d like to support me financially, please click the ::Support Me/ GIVE:: link on the left side of my blog.
In the words of my dear friend and former roommate Sandy, “IT’S HAPPENING!”
‘Til next time…
