it’s coming to a end.
Its July 9th. And it’s the month that this Race ends. To be exact its 20 days till I land in Charlotte, NC where my sweet family will meet me. I can say that in someway I am ready for this Race to be over. But I am going to miss some things. It’s going to be hard going home; I have no doubt about that. I’ve seen a lot these past 10 months. I’ve seen the poorest of the poor. I’ve seen the rich people. I got to love on orphan children. I got to feed homeless people the only meal they have eaten that day. I got to live life with girls rescued from sex/manual labor. I got to spend Christmas in a community where Christmas trees and presents weren’t available. I got to meet some amazing people. I got to find more of who I am. I got to travel the world. I’ve seen places that most people never will. I tried to change the world, but really the world and the people I have met have changed me.
I am thankful for what I have waiting for me in America. I am thankful for 2 amazing parents, who have always supported me. I am thankful for a brother who I know would be there for me anytime I needed him. Most people around the world don’t have the family that I do. I’ve spent time with many children who don’t know where their dad is. I’ve spent time with teenagers who don’t have either of their parents. I am thankful that I will be going back to a house. I have slept in many different places this year, and it really has made me more thankful for my bed and my house. I am thankful for a lot.
This race has taught me a lot, some of my expectations of this race were fulfilled but some not. It wasn’t in any way easy. Its not easy living in constant community. Its not easy to be on a team where you don’t feel like you belong. Its hard to be on a team that doesn’t understand you. Its not easy pursuing the people who are hardest for you. Its not easy always seeing the good in people. Its not easy to show grace. Its not easy to give hard feedback. Its not easy leaving each country. Its not easy all the time. Its not fun all the times. But I have learned a lot about myself, my relationship with God has grown, I have seen a lot, experienced a lot, made some GREAT friends!
Here’s a little bit of a recap of the past 10 months:
Ministries I’ve Done This Year:
Malaysia- Jewelry making in a homeless shelter for women on the streets, Living life with girls who were rescued from labor and sex trafficking. Worked in a church.
Australia- YWAM Perth- Homeless feedings, cleaned houses for people who weren’t able to, helped in YWAM’s kitchen, evangelism in city.
Vietnam- worked in a orphanage for kids with disabilities and adults who were disabled.
Cambodia- worked with the Rock Foundation, visited villages of people who’s houses got destroyed or the government took them. Lived life with our contact and the 5 boys he was mentoring. Taught English to the youth of the church, and lead bible studies.
India- Deaf School- western cooking class for older students, morning/evening devotions
Nepal- construction on a orphanage, visiting villages, showing Jesus films to unreached people
Rwanda- preaching 3x week, speaking to the youth of the community.
Kenya- door-to-door evangelism, preaching, hospital ministry.
Tanzania- preaching, door to door evangelism, visited a orphanage, visted a deaf/albino school.
Ukraine- taught English
Transinistria (Moldova)-taught English, construction on a rehab center.
Places I’ve Lived This Year:
Malaysia- PODs hostel (3 days), Church sanctuary
Australia- YWAM staff house
Vietnam- Golden Gate Hotel
Cambodia- little concrete house behind the church
India- School dorm room
Nepal- apartment
Rwanda- Pastors house
Kenya- Pastors house
Tanzania- House
Ukraine- apartment
Transnistria (Moldova)- construction site
Modes of Transportation:
Malaysia- walking, sky tram
Australia- walking, bus
Vietnam- walking, bus, van
Cambodia- walking, tuk tuk, moto bus, motorcycle
India- walking, rickshaws
Nepal- walking, bus, tractor trailer
Rwanda- walking, motorcycle, bus
Kenya- walking, bicycle taxi, van, motorcycle
Tanzania- walking, motorcycle, car
Ukraine- walking, Train, bus, car
Transnistria (Moldova)- walking
So here we are 20 days til my “World Race” is over. But then again its 20 days til my race continues. This is not the end for me. This is not the end of my mission..
So now you wanna know what im doing after the race…?
Most of you know that I took a year off of school to come on the Race. I did 2 years at Liberty University. I knew that I needed to go back to school but after being away I wanted to go somewhere closer. So August 21st I will start a new season of my life at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. I’m excited for this new start and new chapter of my life.
So I thank all of you who have been keeping up with my blog, on my Facebook, and in prayer. I thank you to all of you who wrote me letters at my going away party, they kept me going on the hard days 🙂 I thank you if you supported me financially, I would not be here if it weren’t for each of you.
