*Before coming on The World Race, homesickness was my biggest fear.
*Before coming on The World Race, living constantly with 7 people was a love-hate feeling.
*Before coming on The World Race I thought it would be easy to get my relationship with Christ my number one priority.
*Before coming on The World Race I thought it was going to be a tough ride.
After being on the field for 2 months I can tell you that some of the above thoughts that I had were completely true and false.
Life on The World Race is very tough, whether its getting along with people that your with constantly or whether its ministry stuff. I can tell you that even though we are in Australia, this has been the hardest out of the 2 months. Australia is a western culture, Australia is to similar to America for me right now. I came on The World Race because I was to comfortable where I was at but also needed to be put out of my comfort zone so I could grow as a Christian but also as a person wanting to pursue missions. Street Evangelism has been the hardest thing for me this month, whether its going up to random people and just starting a conversation with them or whether its knocking on doors to evangelize. It has put me out of my comfort zone because Australia is so much like America that it scares me. But I know that if I can evangelize here than I can do it anywhere but especially in America to friends.
There def. are days that I just wish I was at home. There are days when all I want is a big hug from my momma. Days like today where I was just saying that I wish I could take a quick trip home and come back. But I know I am here for a reason and I already see how God is using my life on The World Race and would not change my decision to come for a second. I haven't felt homesick really, just the thought of missing my family and friends. I know that God is there with me because without him I would be a emotional wreck missing my family.
Living with 7 people 24/7 has been interesting. There have been healthy conflict just like every other team. But for us we get to figure out how to work through it so that it doesn't affect our ministry. We have feedback every day where people come to others out of love and tell them things they can work on or things they can improve on. Feedback has been the hardest for me and to this day I have a love-hate feeling about it. I know that in the end talking about things that are going on will be the best. The good thing about being on a team of 7 is that when you need someone there is always someone willing to be your listening ear. There is also always someone that is on your side, there is also someone who is encouraging you through certain struggles.
Coming on The World Race to get your relationship with Christ right isn't a good reason at all. I have to admit that I thought it would be easier to focus on that when I'm not at home and comfortable. But when you are exhausted and just want to go to sleep you have to have the discipline to stay up or get up early. It has been hard for me since this month has been so tiring to get up those 30 extra minutes. While my relationship with Christ has grown so much I had to work for it, and I had to say no to other things in order to set aside time to be with God.
While I def. can tell you that being on the World Race isn't a vacation. Yeah we have done some sight seeing and some fun stuff, but we work very 6 days a week. Whether we are cleaning every morning or cooking lunch and dinner for 300+ people, whether its cleaning people's houses who cant do it for themselves or doing street evangelism. Our days are packed with various ministry options. We love all that we are doing and we all came on the World Race to do ministry, but don't think this is a year long vacation.
Since this month has been harder than last I am excited to head to Vietnam this weekend but also going to miss the western side of the month. I'm going to miss being able to speak English and people understand, and def going to miss the food!
I am also going to miss alot of people here. I have met alot of wonderful people who have impacted my life also.
I am going to miss going to Welds Square 3-4 times a week to help with the homeless feeding and just talking to the friends we have made there. We have met a few people and just keep them in your prayers, please!: Tony, Shirley, Ricky.
I am going to miss Angie who has challenged me in so many ways. We met her the first day we did street evangelism. She has made me uncomfortable and def made me think about certain things but it is what I need at this point, I needed someone to question what I believe so I could proclaim why I believe in God and what he has done in my life. She has researched it so much and knows so much but still doesn't believe. Angie has been a blessing this month because I know after talking to her that she is helping me so much, she is helping me understand how to better evangelize, but also teaching me how building a relationship and letting her see Gods love through my everyday life is the biggest way the evangelize.
so…
*After being on the field for 2 months there are things I don't like but there is so much more that I love about my life on The World Race
*After being on the field I miss home but I'm loving my life on The World Race.
*After being on the field for 2 months I have added 6 new people to my family.
*After being on the field my relationship with Christ has grown but I've had to work hard for that.
*After being on the Race for 2 months I can tell you that its not easy but it is rewarding and I wouldn't take this back for anything.
