Back when I was all in to gymnastics, I watched a lot of competitions (and the olympics!) and loved seeing when perfect 10’s were handed out. Since this year is almost over, I thought I’d share my perfect 10’s with all of you.
10.1: 10 countries we ministered in:
Thailand, Cambodia, Philippines, China, South Africa, Swaziland, Costa Rica, Panama, Guatemala, Nicaragua
10.2: 10 modes of transportation used throughout this year:
airplane, train, taxi, bus, ferry, tuk-tuk (motorized rick-shaw), kombi (African van), moto, horse, foot
10.3: 10 picturesque places I visited:
Bohol Island (Philippines), the Great Wall, Pacific Coast beaches in Nicaragua, Volcan Pacaya (Guatemala), Cape Point (South Africa), “Christmas Island” (Philippines – I don’t really remember the name of the island), Stellenbosch (wine country in South Africa), Hong Kong, Khao Yai National Park (Thailand), Alajuelita (Costa Rica)
10.4: 10 interesting foods I tried:
gallo pinto (traditional rice and beans in central America), pigeon, fried crickets, pulled noodles (China), yuca, rambutan (spiky fruit from Thailand), dragon fruit (another spiky fruit that is bright purple on the outside and looks like a dalmation inside), “big plate of chicken” (in china, I don’t remember the name but it was literally a huge platter with all parts of the chicken and noodles and onions and potatoes), numbing spice (also China), papoosas (stuffed tortillas in El Salvador)
10.5: 10 people that stole my heart:
Desiree, Eileen, Levi, Fern, Josie, Elzette, Noah, David, Edgar, Mon
10.6: 10 ministeries we worked with:
Tree of Life Orphanage (Thailand), Khmer Christian Association Orphanage (Cambodia), International Care Ministries (Philippines), G42 (Swaziland), Pneumatix (South Africa), YWAM (a variety of places), Ministerio Mateo 5:16 (Nicaragua), New Song Ministries (Nicaragua), Fundacion ProVida (Panama), Centro Cristiano Alabanza (Costa Rica)
10.7: 10 of the international airports I was in:
Bangkok, Manila, Hong Kong, Dubai, Johannesburg, Zurich, Madrid, Bogota, San Jose, Managua
10.8: 10 places I have slept overnight throughout this year:
tent, orphanage floor, house, hostel, train, bus, YWAM base, bunk beds, plane, hotel
10.9: 10 things I have learned this year:
1: God is faithful – He will never give up on me
2: God answers prayers
3: I can’t do anything on my own
4: I am His beloved one.
5: Those who are physically poor are often the richest people we met
6: Unconditional love can happen in a short period of time
7: I am needed and valuable
8: God can do ANYTHING
9: I can and do have an intimate relationship with God
10: Laughter really can cure many things
10.10: 10 things you need to know about me before I come “home”:
1: I’m broke.
2: I don’t have a favorite country – that’s like asking for a favorite candy or scent at bath and body works – too many to choose from!
3: I like parties and balloons
4: It’s going to take me a while to get used to American things like flushing toilet paper down the toilet and having hot showers and electricity
5: I have thousands of pictures and a story to go with every one of them (and with some places I couldn’t take pictures of)
6: If you ask me “how was your year?” I have every right to respond with “how was yours?” – it’s not a question that can really be answered because it encompasses so much
7: I do want to know about fun things that have happened in your lives while I’ve been gone
8: I have no idea what I’m doing after my first week back
9: I look different inside and out
10: I love you and am so thankful for all of you that have partnered on this journey with me – this is not the end!
