Before I started the race I was concerned. I wondered how I could live 11 months in 11 countries. I wondered if I would miss my life. Other people wondered this too. It seems like most of the questions I received before and even on the race pertain to what my life looks like. What I am eating? Where do I sleep? How often can I shower? These questions are the same questions I had, but now they seem odd because the race has become life. 11 countries in 11 months, I thought I was crazy when I left 4 months ago, but now having been to 4 countries in 4 months with 7 more to go seems normal. Don’t get me wrong, my life is very different from what it was 4 months ago, but it is life all the same. I didn’t believe the blogs that said life on the race becomes normal, but its true. Although there are many things I don’t have, I’ve learned that life on the race is not lacking anything; I just have many “insteads”
Instead of chik-fil-a, I have had fresh chicken and food that may or may not have a chicken like meat in it
Fresh Chicken in DR Potato's and some meat in Moldova
Instead of my church, I have a new church each month (in a new language!)
My precious church in the DR They speak Romanian and Russian in my Moldova Church
Instead of working retail, I visit homes, pour concrete, do yard work, garden, play with kids and so forth.
My beautiful Lianna and I in Haiti The cutest kids in the DR
Instead of going to the gym, I’ve climbed mountains, moved cinder blocks, and played endless games of volleyball with children.
On a mountain in the DR Ball coming at my face
Instead of spending time with kids I babysat or friend’s kids, I am blessed to love on new precious faces every month.
DR Moldova Haiti
Instead of spending time with my friends at home, I have made many new friends who have been so gracious to share their language, food, and culture with me.
My beautiful friend Mari from the DR My team with our wonderful Moldovan Friends
Instead of a car, I’ve attempted to hitch hike and I have ridden in many overcrowded sketchy forms of transportation.
Grace and I hitch hiking A very crowded flat bed truck in the DR
Instead of being surrounded my by family, I am surrounded by a loving team and many local “grandmas” who like to spoil us.
My beautiful Team Our friend Giku and his Grandmother who spolied us
Instead of sitting in class, I get to travel to the places I’ve learned about and learn hand’s on from the people there.
Budapest Brasov
Most importantly though,
Instead of living a comfortable and complacent life where I rarely needed to fully trust God, I am living a life full of unknowns. I am living a life where there is constantly an opportunity for God to move. I’m living a life where I need God to speak every day. I’m living the life God has planned for me.
I thank God every day for this life, and I thank God for the supporters that made it possible. I have been blessed in ways I could not even imagine a few months ago, but my fund raising journey is not over yet. I need $3,637 by July 1st in order to keep living this amazing life of faith, service, and growth.
It would be a huge blessing if you could please pray for all the funds to be raised, as well as pray to see if God is leading you to give. I could not live this life without God’s grace, and each and every one of my supporters!
