Sunday, September 9th We are told to be ready to leave at 10 am for our trip to Agape in Action, our squad’s ministry host for the month. (This is really rare for The World Race, but my squad gets to stay together for most of this first month.)
By 2 pm, we finally load the bus with more people than seats. A 3 hour drive turns into more like 5…but I’m impressed and slightly terrified at the speed of the driver as we wind up the mountainous roads.
We arrive at the hospital grounds, where we immediately start to set up our tents as the rain threatens to dump. We’re too late and 3 minutes later, we pile into the small meeting room with our half opened packs and tents.
10 minutes later, a break in the rain sends us all 
scrambling again to set up our tents before more rain and dark hits. As we pile back into our meeting room, the thoughts start to hit.
What am I doing here? I don’t think I want to do this. I’m not sure I CAN do this. Will Jesus be enough for me? Is this worth it? Fear of the unknown starts to overwhelm. This is Day 2.
But then I remember to take my thoughts captive and choose joy and thankfulness. I try to practice contentment. And my thoughts return to a conversation with fellow squad mates from the night before.
This is my life. This is my reality. I’m not living for 11 months to be over. I’m not enduring until I get my comforts back. I’m living fully right now. And I want more, and more, and more, and more of Jesus.
We finally have lunch at 9 pm and Day 2 of the Race is over.
Monday-Friday, Sept 10-14: Week 1
Each team is serving at separate ministries for the month. 
My team of 6 (Team Shekinah), is working at Casa de mi Padre, an orphanage for 22 kids. We are in training for next week when some of the staff will have time off. So we are doing the laundry, learning to help the cooks (like making homemade tortillas!), helping the kids with homework (thank goodness I remember my numbers in Spanish so I can help with math), and cleaning and playing with the kids.
In the mornings and evenings for this first week, we engage in sweet times of worship, teaching, and sharing with our squad. Seth Barnes, our squad coach and the founder of AIM & the World Race is with us for most of the week and challenged our squad to choose “IN” to being vulnerable and honest with one another. So for days, we have listened, grieved, rejoiced, and prayed for healing with one another from past and current wounds.
I cannot begin to share the impact it has made on us as a squad. In the midst of complete honesty about brokenness and sin, there has been grace, acceptance, and forgiveness spoken over each member of our squad. Seth describes it as true revival. You can read his account and challenge for the church here.
I’m currently in the midst of week 2, where we are in full-time mommy mode, so when the craziness subsides, I will share more about our ministry.
A few praises:
* In the midst of seeing a gut-wrenching view of Satan’s destruction in this world, we have an amazing hope in Christ. His truth truly brings healing and hope in the midst of devastation. Only He can bring to life what once was dead.
* Last week, I hurt a toe so badly I worried that it was broken. It turned black and blue and I could not put any pressure on it. My team prayed for me that night and by the next morning, I was able to walk almost completely normal.
* 2 days later, I was playing soccer and noticed that something in my lower back seemed out of place. By dinner that night, I could not put pressure on my right leg without feeling like I would collapse. In America, I would go to a chiropractor. In Guatemala, we prayed. And by morning, everything was in place and I could walk.
Prayer Request:
* Now, a few days later, something is out of place in the middle of my back. It hurts to breathe when I lay down or bend over and it hurts to pick up the kids. I’m not sleeping well because no position relieves the ache. And I’m tired of always feeling like I am a burden on my team with these constant problems. Please pray for healing, but also pray for wisdom that I might know how to walk in grace no matter my circumstance.
