Wow! I have
only been gone for 3 weeks and God is so at work! I am learning more everyday about God’s faithfulness. I had been planning to come on the
World Race for about one year. Then the time finally came. I wanted to go but it was so hard to leave family, friends, home, and
everything I had known up to that point. The night before I left Miami my mind was racing about a million miles
an hour. I was honestly
overwhelmed with the emotions of saying goodbye and not knowing what was ahead,
but I clung to the fact that I knew God had called me to this. So, I boarded the plane and came. In the last three weeks, God has given
me a peace that I never knew existed before. He has proved to be so faithful. He called me to do this and is not just going to drop me out
here. He is walking with me
every step of the way. I was
having my quiet time one morning this week, and I just realized…I am exactly
where I am supposed to be. I am so
at peace and content with being here, with living out of a backpack and tent,
with sharing everything with my team 24/7, with being completely dependent on
God for everything. I feel more
alive, free and at peace than I ever have before and I know that things are
only going to continue to get better. I left everything behind but have gained so much more through Christ.
Our team is really beginning to mesh together and become
family. Every night we have
feedback. We meet and talk about
the day, how everyone is doing, and give positive and constructive suggestions
to improve on as a team and as individuals. Everyone is really beginning to open up and be totally
honest. We also developed three
team norms that we all committed to live by over the next year. They are:
1) Always be honest
2) ATL(ask the Lord) – always have your quiet time and focus
on what God wants you to say to each other and others before
speaking…especially in Feedback
3) Family First – always put your teammates and the best for
our team ahead of yourself
We all live together, eat together, work together, minister
together. We are truly learning
how to love each other as Christ loves us and to live in true community. It is challenging at times but also the
most beautiful experience. I am
forming brothers in sisters in Christ for a lifetime. It is amazing.
Another thing I am learning about is how to truly live in
every moment. The days and weeks
fly by. We only have one month to
influence this community. I don’t
want to miss out on something that he has for me because I was looking back or
looking too far forward. I am
learning to be with God, let him love me, and let him lead me to truly love
others.
This month so far has been beautiful. God is speaking to me and teaching me
so much about myself and about this journey that I am embarking on….really
teaching me a whole new lifestyle. And I love it!
