The World Race has wrecked me, in the best way possible. Month 8, Swaziland Africa, I finally obtained what seemed beyond comprehension due to my position of being born and raised in America. I knew people lived over seas, raising families and living a whole new life style after growing up in America, but for the first 7 months I could not understand how they could do just that. Didn’t they miss what they knew? Can you really fully adjust to such a drastic life style change? Everything is so different in third world countries.
There is hope.
This month I have been given this to be true. You can adjust to change and fully be happy from what you used to call “home”.
I know what lies in America, friends, family, comforts, freedom, wide range of foods, but as far as I am concerned I love living this crazy extraordinary missionary life and almost forget the things in America that used to be so important. Which now is not so important at all any more. The only thing I need is Jesus, hands down me and him everyday and life is great! As I stated above, my position is in America. Well, That’s not entirely true. It may be where God has blessed me to be from (it is truly a blessing after seeing other parts of the world) but that’s not where my true citizenship lies. It lies in heaven. So it’s no wonder why people can adjust to different circumstances because our real home is in heaven as it says in Philippians 3:20 “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ”. So we as Christians are not supposed to make ourselves comfortable here on earth, because we are only here for a short time and the rest is in eternity in heaven.
So what is this new lifestyle like?
I have become accustomed to traveling countries every month or jumping continents every 3 months. I realize this is not normal, but so cool! I have learned what is necessary for travel days (extra change of clothes, toilet paper, tooth brush, hand sanitizer, passport, ipod fully charged) I am comfortable with living off the same 2 t-shirts, 3 tank tops, a pair of jeans and couple capri pants every month. I enjoy being a minimalist. I know how to pack my large pack adequately and have become strong enough to carry it a great amount of distance. Sleeping in over 35 locations including planes, buses, floors, bunk beds, hostels, hotels, airports in 11 countries not including Europe is normal.
I know what it’s like to take bucket showers, not have electricity, internet, a toilet, shower, clean water, or a place to unpack my things for more than 28 days. I love having no internet. Understanding that hand washing my clothes is the only method available and the only way they are going to get clean. What’s a washer and dryer again? Traveling 35 plus hours in an African bus, surely I can travel from coast to coast in America without batting an eye. Spreading the Love of Jesus with 55 other people around the world has become my life. I love living in community. I highly enjoy finding God wherever we set foot, literally around every corner. He is at my right hand “I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand” Psalm 16:8. He knows when I sit and when I rise “O Lord, you have searched me and you know me, You know when I sit and when I rise” Psalm 139:1-2. Through all these crazy experiences I have found no greater love than that of Jesus Christ and knowing no matter where I am, that I can adjust to any circumstance that comes my way, God is with me always.
