Honduras (Month 1)
I learned…not to view the children at New Life Children's Home as poor, underprivileged, abused kids, but instead as precious children of God who want to run, laugh and play. Just like any other child in the world.
I learned that Love can look like…walking hand and hand with the little ones through the villages and letting them snuggle up on my lap through the church service.
What I'll take away: During this month God helped me understand the power of prayer. i was asked to pray for an old man with pain in his side. I placed my hands on him and began to pray. Suddenly, he fell down and laid on the ground. I opened my eyes as people in the church helped catch his fall. Tears were running down his face and he was smiling. He looked at me and i knelt down and smiled at him…I'm not sure if he was physically healed, but the smile on his face through his pain indicated that he was spiritually restored.
Guatemala (Month 2)
I learned… to pick up the crying kids with runny noses and not worry about getting sick. I decided to hold and comfort them the way Jesus would.
I learned that Love can look like… taking the sleepy kids out of the high chairs at the day care center and let them fall asleep on my shoulder until i find a place for them to sleep.
What I'll take away: The memory of the pastors son who greeted us on the last day of building the road for the church. He was wearing a winter coat in 90F heat. We prayed over the boy for healing from a sickness he had and suddenly he told us that there was this burning fire through his body. Then he said he felt like a bull with smoke flowing through his nostrils. Although I'm not sure if he was better, I know that God works in mysterious ways and sometimes it is through the love of people that He moves.
El Salvador (Month 3)
I learned… that working for the Lord to serve others can look like waking up at 4:30am and helping a disabled woman slice mangos and assorted fruits to serve children in a school so she can make a living.
I learned that love can look like… playing Hillsong United in Spanish and dancing around with a cook who lost her daughter in a car accident.
I'll take away… the importance of leaning on God when a loved one dies and understanding that death is not the end. It was hard to hear my grandma had died that month, but i am thankful that my dad encouraged me to say goodbye to her before i left on the race.
Macedonia Unsung Heroes (Month 4)
I learned… how to stop stereotyping my own gender as emotional, drama-filled passive woman. Instead i learned the importance of humility through becoming vulnerable with my female team.
I learned that Love can look like… God creating divine appointments in which people generously opened their homes to us.
I'll take away…how to love people that are outcasts in their society. When i first traveled through Europe, i initially judged all gypsies as pick pocketters. During this month God opened my eyes to his love for them.
Albania (Month 5)
I learned… to be excited about shoveling pig poop for hours in the heat. And how to ask God for help when the smell and flies made me want to throw up.
I learned that Love looks like… doing every job assignment to the best of my ability, and that it is important to spend quality time reflecting with God.
I'll take away...learning to focus on the not on what is seen, but on the unseen. At times i felt like i was just shoveling pig poop and other construction projects, but i was actually preparing a camp for kids to come and get to know Christ.
Zambia (Month 6)
I learned…how to be bold in setting a positive example of the importance of gender equality. I invited the girls to play soccer with the boys despite protest from the boys.
I learned that Loves looks like…a pastors wife going out of her way to make our team handmade African dresses.
I'll take away…how to be bold in sharing my testimony of the double life i lived before i gave my life to God.
Malawi 1.0 (Month 7)
I learned… I learned that you just have to giggle when you find a small rock in your rice you're eating. I learned to continue to push forward even when i just wanted to stay back from ministry and rest.
I learned that Love looks like… being thankful for PB and jelly sandwiches everyday for lunch because so many people in the world often don't have anything to eat.
I'll take away… as a new team leader the best way to lead my team is just to serve them through quality time and good communication.
Malawi 2.0 (Month 8)
I learned… that although my team and two other teams never crossed the border into Mozambique that it was all part of God's plan for us to stay and continue to help minister to people in Malawi.
I learned that Love looks like… pushing through to find creative ways to bless others. God gave me the opportunity to create a blanket fundraiser to provide families with warmth and comfort.
I'll take away…learning how to bless the men on the squad by stepping aside and giving them opportunities for man time.
Thailand Unsung Heroes (Month 9)
I learned…to take opportunities that God gives me to meet people who are serving him different ways. God is so much bigger than the box i put him in.
I learned that Love looks like…loving myself and not allowing the enemy to lie to me about not doing enough to serve my team. I learned that i am not responsible for fixing other people's issues.
I'll take away….learning to explore and find joy in the little things.
Cambodia (Month 10)
I learned… it is important to spend quality time with the family and serve them well.
I learned that Love looks like…finding ways be creative in teaching English to the children in the school we were serving in.
I'll take away from this month… learned to be thankful for my modern day comforts in the US which protect me from ravenous dengue-carrying mosquitoes. I have so much to be thankful for.
Malaysia (Month 11)
I Learned...that ministry doesn't always look like working in churches or orphanages. Ministry can be utilizing your business/marketing skills to help re-brand a campaign to end modern day slavery.
I learned that Love looks like…loving your host family like your own family.
I'll take away from this month that ending the race doesn't have to be stressful or full of worries or expectations. It can look like talking out any fears and praying for the transition home with your team.
And..then to Month 12,13,14… I'll be leading a PASSPORT ministry team of four ladies to the PHILIPPINES! -if you would like to help support me let me know! Prayers are needed for this upcoming adventure.
