Hello! thank you for checking out my final blog from the field. Here I have tried to capture the essence of my year on the field. Even though it’s just a glimpse at all the ways the Lord has worked in me this year, I hope you feel encouraged in your own journey of faith. Enjoy!
Before leaving on the World Race in January, I don’t know how many times I heard just how much I was going to change this year, how different I would be when this is all over. Eleven months later, I could never have anticipated just how true that statement is – how deep, significant, and life altering this journey has been.
It’s hard for me to put into words what has happened to me, in me, through me, and around me the past 11 months. I barely recognize the person that left Atlanta 11 months ago. Looking back at all God has done throughout this year, I literally can NOT stop smiling and maybe even shed a few tears (of joy, of course).
This journey has changed my perspective on friendship, on serving, on the world, on life. And not only my perspective, my faith and trust in God has grown so much deeper because of an abundance of new knowledge and understanding I have gained and the experiences I have walked through.
If you ask me how it all happened, my answer is simple: countless encounters and revelations from the Holy Spirit – my understanding, my faith, my whole perspective has been transformed radically.
My identity in Jesus – and Him alone – is solidified like never before. I am confident in who He has made me to be, a confidence I didn’t know I was lacking. I have faith and trust in His promises. I know He is faithful and with me always – every minute of every day.
I have learned to be still in His presence and listen for His voice.
I have dreams bigger than anything I could imagine or accomplish on my own.
I am walking in freedom from the lies I was believing about myself, others, and God. I know that what I have received from God and what I have walked through is worth sharing. I have a voice. I have influence. I carry His peace and joy. I am invested in the countries I visited, the ministries I served with, the people I’ve met. I am invested in building kingdom in this world.
I am no longer driven by a sense of mere obligation but am eager to spend my life worshipping, serving, obeying God because I have full faith that what He has for me (and through me) is so much better than anything else I can find in this world.
After almost a year of travel, a year of amazing encounters, a year of exponential (and sometimes painful) growth, the conclusion I’ve come to is that the journey itself is the real adventure. The journey (aka – life) teaches you about yourself, about God, about how He created things to be. Through the journey and adventures of life, it’s the impact we have on others that’s the real measure of success…that’s all we really leave behind in the end anyway, isn’t it??
Truly, I can’t imagine NOT doing the Race. I ‘leave’ the mission field, my amazing squad, this crazy year with more peace, grace, love, and fire for the Lord and His Kingdom than I thought possible.
I want to say thank you so very much to everyone who has supported me both in prayer and finances, followed my journey, encouraged me in any way. It has meant the world to know so many have been behind me throughout this crazy year.
Much love and all the glory to Jesus!
-Pamela
