Things I’ve learned each month.
Month 1 ( Lesotho)
The root of my fear of spiritual warfare ( specifically demons)
Month 2 (Swaziland)
Started addressing my biggest fear: losing my mom.
- God spoke through a book, and our squad’s mentor the sentiment: “You’re going to be okay. You’re going to find your way. You are not alone.”
My true identity: I am a chosen and deeply loved son of the Most High King
- Read Killing Lions: A Guide Through the Trials Young Men Face by John Eldredge
Month 3 (South Africa)
I have the gift of prophecy and knowledge, and not to doubt that I can hear from God.
- When we were teaching Sex Ed to high school students, we decided to do listening prayer. During listening prayer, I heard God say that “there is someone in here who has been sexually assaulted and they feel dirty and unclean. Tell them the truth.” At first, I didn’t want to tell the class what I heard, because I was afraid that I didn’t actually hear God say that. However, the Lord wouldn’t let those words leave my mind. I decided to tell the class what I heard. I spoke what I heard and the truth. The class eventually ended, and people went on their way.
The next period was a lunch break, and we (the racers) had decided to stay in the class just in case students wanted to talk to us. This girl that I thought I had never seen before came up to me and pulled me aside. She went on saying that “I was in your last class, and I’m that person.” At first, I was confused, and then it hit me: she was the person who was sexually assaulted and felt unclean. My automatic response was just to hug her as she started to weep. I began to express to her that I don’t know why God allows bad things to happen to us, but what I do know is that when our heart breaks, His heart breaks. I recited with confidence what I found to be true: Romans 5:3-4. I told her that her Heavenly Father, who created her, wanted to remind her that she is His princess and that He calls her clean and loves her so much.
3 Not only this, but we also rejoice in sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance, character, and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:3-5 NET
Month 4 (Vietnam) ** It’s illegal to tell people about Jesus here. One of my favorite countries! I will go back in a heartbeat!**
I started the lifelong process of learning how to love people well, even when I feel like they don’t deserve to be loved well. Having hard conversations is a must!
- The enemy tried to destroy relationships on my team at the time (Cubs of Judah) so that my focus would shift from kingdom work to “who’s right or wrong.” I learned that life is much bigger than who is right or wrong. That life is so much bigger than myself, bigger than my views, and bigger than what I think I may or may not know. There is a spiritual war going on; a life-or-death fight. I learned not to allow my issues to burn bridges or prevent me from coming alongside my team to advance the kingdom. Whether I am in ministry or just doing life together, there is work to be done.
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places. Ephesians 6:12 AMP
Month 5 (Cambodia) **Everyone was placed on new teams and I was raised up to be the Team Leader for Rooted in Truth at the very beginning of the month**
I learned that I was afraid of being decisive out of a fear of appearing domineering.
Month 6 (Thailand) **Manistry (all the guys were placed on the same team for a month)**
I let go of my fear of being domineering and became more decisive as a leader.
I also learned how to honor leadership, specifically ministry hosts, even when what they asked of us seems unnecessary (we were never asked to do anything unbiblical, only things that at times seemed unnecessary.) I realized that the extent to which I honor established authority is the extent to which I honor the one who establishes authority (God).
This was also the month that I was hit by a motorbike, and ended up with 7 stitches. I’m completely healed and only have a minor scar.
Month 7 (Nicaragua) **Reunited with Rooted in Truth**
This month I learned what true hospitality looks like!
- One of my teammates had an opportunity to meet an aunt and uncle of a friend from back home. A few of us went with her to meet them. They came and picked us up, took us to a beachfront hotel for the day, brought us to their house. Made us Homemade Cinnamon Rolls (they had read on one of our blogs that we really loved cinnamon rolls) and fresh lemonade, shared their story (they are missionaries) and paid for dinner. The following week they took a few of us to a waterfall on the island. They had never met us before, and treated us as if we were family! We need more people like this.
Month 8 (Costa Rica)
Patience
Month 9 (Jamaica) **Loved this month so much**
We walked around Brown’s Town, Jamaica 6 hours a day building relationships with locals and evangelizing. I love speaking to strangers!
Month 10 (Haiti) **Hardest country to say Goodbye to**
The second half of the month we worked with an orphanage. I loved this place and desire to go back. I learned how to love in a different way.
Month 11 (Dominican Republic) **Hardest Month**
I would say this was the hardest month on the race for me. I learned how to tame my tongue and let God fight for me.
