Lice in hell

I am so sure lice will be in hell. My squad is just wrapping up debrief in Moldova right now. We’re actually leaving to head to Africa in just a few hours. Anyway – 8 people have lice! I’ve been picking nits until I just can’t see anymore. I see lice when I close my eyes to go to sleep at night. Hah I just can’t ever get over that this is my life. It’s kind of hilarious. However, being around my squadmates has been so refreshing. I feel like once a month, I get a Jesus party with all my friends. I am still learning so much about loving and being loved. 

RECAP:

Moldova has been amazing!! I did sprain my ankle this past month playing basketball. It was so dumb how it happened, so I won’t bore you with the very embarrassing details 😉 I had to lay in bed for a week and be carried around everywhere like an incontinent person or something. I’m thinking about putting “excellent ability to use the squatty potty whilst balancing on one leg” on my resume. I got to experience a Moldovan hospital, though. My x-ray was a steal at only $4 USD. As frustrating as it was for me to be carried around, I’m sure it was even more frustrating for Johnfrank and Andrew, who had to do the carrying. My teammates are pretty awesome. They never ever complained. They just took it on as if it was their duty all along. I didn’t even have to ask. They even brought me ice cream for being brave and going to the hospital… hence the smile in the picture =) 

When I was able bodied, we worked on building an addition to our church for a play area for the kids/place for future World Racers to stay. I’m probably going to be a professional construction worker at the end of this thing. We only got the foundation poured, but I am so happy we were able to do that. Our team name is “Jenga” which means “to build” in Swahili. I think that it speaks into what we’re going to be doing for the rest of the year in many ways.

The men in Moldova are very into gender roles so they didn’t like for me, or the other girls, to be lifting heavy things or shoveling very much. After I had lifting a bag of sand, I was reprimanded with a stern Russian “NIET.” Frustrated and confused, I nodded my head “DA! I can do this, I can lift sand. Let me help!” I couldn’t understand why these people weren’t letting me bless them! The man shook his head again and mimed a baby bump over my stomach. UM.. WHAT?! I looked at Johnfrank. “Does he think I’m PREGNANT?!” Johnfrank explained to me that the Moldavians know I’m going to be a mother someday, and they strongly believe that mothers should not be doing this sort of work. I relunctantly learned that the best way I could bless them was by not picking up the sand, and not shoveling so much. Once I understood the hearts of the men we were working alongside of, I learned a lot about submission.  They wanted to protect me, and bless ME and I wasn’t letting them. By the end of the month, I pretty much had my role figured out, though. Maybe letting them bless me was the best way to be a blessing. I am so thankful for grace they’ve shown me and the experiences I’ve had here. 

Moldovans are seriously the most hospitable people ever.  We loved our contacts in Moldova SO much. Andre and Larissa were amazing. They both just have just a heart for their church. They never force Christ on anyone, because, afterall, Jesus never forced anyone to come to Him. He was a gentleman. I learned so much from them. They were just so grateful we were there and so gracious to us. They definitely touched my heart. Please pray for their ministry to continue to grow and for their family. 

NEXT MONTH:

As of right now, my team will be leading crusades in Mozambique for our ministry. I have no idea what that means, or what it entails. We’ve heard how spiritually dark the places we’re going are, so please please pray for us. My apologies in advance if I do not blog this upcoming month, we expect to not have any access to wifi. However, I will absolutely update you all if given the opportunity. 

PRAYER REQUEST:

I need at least $2,500 more by July 1st to continue on the race. I will have to come home early if I do not receive these funds. Would you pray about donating/sharing my blogs?

Thank you so much for all the love and prayers. I am so thankful for all you who continue to support me. Spread His love, share His blessings. =)