I was going to study abroad in Peru last summer because I desperately want to go to Machu Picchu. I back packed in the Grand Canyon last Thanksgiving to have my breath taken away by the sunset over the glorious ridge. When I studied in England, every time I went to a new city in Europe I sought out the highest point to feast my eyes on the view.

Knowing those things about me, it makes sense that I would chose a route where I thought I could see some incredibly beautiful things. Peru, Machu Picchu. Nepal, the Himalayas. India, all of its colors. The beaches in Southeast Asia. More of the Andes mountains in Chile. The list could go on. I’m not saying my entire motivation for the World Race was to see pretty things, but it’s certain that it was significant reason I chose my route.

When my squad received an email last week asking several girls to consider changing teams, I my heart did not stir. I thought, “hmm….nah, not for me. I’m happy here – I’ve been on this squad since March.” That night I laid in bed thinking about why I love my route so much and it struck me that it had been a long time since I prayed for the people in the countries I would be visiting. I prayed often for my squad mates but did I pray for Peruvians? Or Nepali people? Did I care more about seeing their country than sharing the love of Christ. I can only describe that since that night God spoon fed me bites of humble pie that spread from my gut to my heart.

God isn’t asking me to embark on this journey to worship His gifts. I am meant to worship the Gifter. Of course, the gifts serve a wonderful purpose when they direct your eye and heart back to the Creator of them all. This race is about loving and serving people and learning what it means to be a disciple, whether that happen in cinder block rooms for 11 months or pristine meadows and mountain tops. 

Within 24 hours I was talking to my mobilizer (shout out to Kristin Rene for being awesome) in Atlanta about a new route when I blurted out, “I need God to have victory over my vanity before the race even starts.” There was a pause and I think we both said “wow” at the same time. It hurt to profess that. Within minutes my heart was beating a faster and I was over come with joy. A silly joy that made me joke about frolicking in a field because He has victory over my vanity.

I made a few more phone calls and heard back some similar response including, “I can hear the smile on your face and joy in your heart right now.” I called Kristin Rene back and said, “I think I should be on a different route.”

Now I am a member of World Race Fusion, the first multi-national squad. What is that? My squad is made up of young people from many different countries. Our new route is Thailand (which will also be where I have training camp), Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Swaziland, Lesotho (go ahead, look this one up, I know you want to), South Africa, Guatemala, Nicaragua and the USA. (I’m pretty excited about serving in the US for our last month.)

Of course, there will still be plenty of beautiful sites to take in – I am aware that these new countries will SHOCK ME with all of their gifts. I have not reached a new level of Christian zen due to this route change. I will (forever) struggle to worship the Gifter and not the gifts.

Last Sunday at church I was reminded of one my favorite metaphors. We are all clay pots with cracks and holes. The Lord places an inextinguishable candle  within us. The light shines out through our cracks and people are not disgraced by the imperfect pot, instead people adore the beautiful design that shines through. I have a wonderful hope that God can use the crack in me called vanity to shine His light.

In Him,

Aly

PS – I am very sad to leave the people on P Squad. I have had daily interaction with these people for half a year and we have prayed together, taken silly selfies and supported each other through some distressing trips to REI and clinics for pricey vaccinations. We’ve had meals together and joked about smelling really bad for a majority of the coming year. I have zero doubts that these people will be amazing tools for God in 2015. I will be blog creeping and loving you all from a far.

 

PPS – Join me in praying for the people of these countries?