Even with planes involved it is still a very long and tiring journey from Battambang, Cambodia to Cartagena, Colombia. 4 planes, several long layovers, and one 24-hour bus ride later team Arboretum arrived at Alex Rocha’s front door.
All in all the travels went well and we made it, except for one of us. My dearly loved friend and travel partner fell behind somewhere in China. We boarded a plane in Shanghai and upon our arrival to LAX for an 8-hour layover I discovered my backpack never made it out of China.
My dear backpack containing everything I own (except for what I had placed in my day pack which wasn’t much) was still somewhere in Asia and I was well on my way to South America.
I filled out a report in LAX and continued on. The first week here in Colombia I slept on a hard tile floor and wore the same outfit almost every day. My team gave me as much as they could and my host family was able to find a mattress and sheet for me with in the week. I am wearing everyone’s hand-me-down cloths (including underwear….), and was given bedding, but through this I have realized how little we truly need.
Im okay. Really.
There is still no word on my pack. The airlines have not been able to locate it yet, which I do want prayer for. I do not need it right away, but I cannot afford to loose it for good. Even if they are able to find it I have no idea how they would get it to me at this point. It may just have to make its way back to NC with my parents for the rest of the race, but I know I don’t need to worry about ‘having’ things.
The Lord has given me a great peace about not having anything. But, much more than that, He has shown me time and time again how he is MORE than enough.
As I sit here writing this I could tell you all the things I would like to have out of that pack, but I have no needs. The truth is I have a roof over my head and a place to sleep. People have given me clothes (no, they might not fit well or be my style, but they work). I did make it here with deodorant, a toothbrush, computer, and Bible. My journal is not lost so I still have all my written memories and I’m not worried about the coming months.
Don’t get me wrong, I really would like to have that pack back one day (or at least the camping gear replaced seeing as how I live out of my tent half the time back in the states), but God has provided in abundance and meets my needs. He really loves me.
Loosing my pack has brought us closer together. I rely on my God for pretty much everything here seeing as how I simply cannot provide it for myself. How freeing it is to be able to fit your life in a 22-litter backpack and walk out the door for the next adventure without fear.
There is no fear in love.
God is love.
