I spent month 4 of my World Race at home in America instead of in India. Despite my initial confusion and disappointment, I was exactly where God wanted me for that month. God had me in the place where He knew I needed to be in order to grow to look more like Jesus. I thought that place would be India, but God sent me to Cleveland, Ohio instead.
Confession- I liked being at home. Home was really good. For me, ‘home’ is a person that I love a lot. And so it was hard for me to come back to the Race, but I did. God wants me on the World Race. And I love being here. Even more than I did before my month in America.
Being in America for the month actually gave me a greater appreciation for life on the World Race. And being on the World Race gave me a whole different perspective on being at home.
In my first few months on the Race, I longed to be at home. I loved life on the Race and knew it was where I was meant to be, but there were definitely days where I wished to actually have some alone time, wear some different clothes, talk to people I love in person, and eat a Chipotle burrito.
But then I got all of those things. Having my own room again was great, but then it was actually kind of lonely. I missed having six roommates and doing life together with the ladies on Team Parresia. Yeah, the Chipotle tasted amazing, but not any better than some of the other awesome foreign foods I’ve gotten to sample in the past few months. Wearing some of my favorite clothes and feeling a bit more like myself was cool. Then I realized I appreciate the simplicity of living out of a backpack and only wearing a few different outfits.
I spent part of my Race wishing to be at home, longing for comfort and familiarity. It took actually being at home to open my eyes to some of the blessings of being on the Race. The deep, Spirit-filled community, the adventure, the simplicity, the excitement of new and unfamiliar experiences, the constant change and growth, seeing God work in people’s lives all over the world. My time on the Race is not going to last forever. I want to make the most of every moment, completely present and invested in this mission.
When I was in America, I was fully present in the season that God had me in. I had wonderful opportunities to connect with family and friends, sharing stories from my first few months on the Race and catching up on their lives. Rather than focusing on the fact that I was missing India, I enjoyed the blessing of celebrating Christmas with family, seeing snow, eating all my favorite American foods, and ringing in the New Year with my best friend. I knew my time at home was fleeting, so I wanted to make the most of it. I want to bring that same sense of urgency, adventure, and appreciation to the rest of my World Race.
As I begin month 5 in Nepal, excited to finish out the last 7 months of my journey, I have completely new eyes and a totally different perspective.
I’m ready to be all in. All in for what God has in store for me on this Race.
P.S. Thank you for the prayers and support! I was overwhelmed by the amount of love I experienced while I was home and am so thankful to everyone who prayed for my healing. I returned to America being pushed in a wheelchair and I left America swing dancing with my love. God really did heal me and restore my strength in an incredible way!
