"Can you believe it?!?!? We are half way done with the race!", exclaimed one of my teammates.
The discussion between my teammates continued as did their excitement talking about the first things they are going to do when we land in America in 5 1/2 more months. I walked out outside to find some peace and quiet. I am super excited about seeing my loved ones when I return home. I am REALLY excited about the Chick-fil-A that will be waiting on me at the airport (thanks in advance Kellie!!). I can't wait to grab all me nephews, nieces, and all the children in my life up in my arms and never let go! I can't wait to share face to face with my family and friends what God has done over this past year….and that's where God stopped my thoughts.
I started thinking back to all the things God has done, shown me, and taught me over the first 5 1/2 months of this journey…
Guatemala:
- experienced FREEDOM by sharing my story with 63 other brothers and sisters in Christ.
- loved, held, prayed for, sang to and rocked Baby Rosalind for 2 weeks before Jesus took her home.
- met "Unsung Heroes" from all over Guatemala who have devoted their lives and everything they have to Christ and sharing His love with everyone they meet.
- learned more about God's love for me, and just how crazy He is about me
Honduras:
- gave my heart away to 12 girls and 2 babies living in a rescue home.
- sleep-overs, dance parties, and movies every Friday night with girls who have experienced more in their 9-12 years of life than any human should have.
- witnessed the Holy Spirit in ways I have never before. Part of me wanted to run from those experiences, and the other part wanted to run to them.
- Chemical burns on my hands, and on my teammate, Sarah's hands (thought it was flesh eating bacteria!)
- learned to forgive past hurts, and walk in freedom of not carrying regrets and the pain
Nicaragua:
- LABYRINTH….enough said!!!
- star gazing, and pondering just how BIG God is and how small I am
- learned the true meaning of Thanksgiving, and what a thankful heart looks like
- experienced what it is to have JOY in every circumstance, and not having to choose it but being THAT filled with the Holy Spirit that JOY just flows
- learned what it means to trust God, and others He has put in my life
- started learning to love like God loves. (it's not about one love language versus another…God is the author of love)
Philippines:
- learned to just be still and let God do (still working on this one)
- learned to be transparent with God, you would think that would be easy…it wasn't
- learned that God is ENOUGH!
- prayer walks around the community
- laid down religious doctrine, and sought God's truth
Thailand:
- New Years Eve….floating lanterns!!
- lost my heart to a 11 year old little girl rescued from being sold into the brothels, singing "10,000 Reasons" every night after dinner.
- challenge by a 71 year old missionary on fire for Christ and not content with retirement when their are people who haven't heard the Good News yet.
- eyes were opened to the spiritual warfare going on around me
- not content with "co-existing" with my team
- began praying for more of the Holy Spirit, to fight in the spiritual realm
Malaysia:
- received the gift of tongues
- learning to be God's light in a dark, closed community and country
- learning to be creative, and nonverbally share God's love
- friendship with a Muslim family down the road….(that story is still being written)
As God reminded me of all He has taught me and the ways He has challenged me over the past 5 1/2 months, He also reminded me…
WE ARE JUST GETTING STARTED!! We aren't half way done, we are half way started!
