Bulgaria: 99 Days

I remember when the race was just an idea. When it was something that I didn’t believe I could ever be a part of. And now, here I am nearing the end of month 8 of doing this thing. We are officially in the double digits of the days left on this crazy journey that the Lord has called us on.

This year has simultaneously felt like the longest and shortest, but mostly the shortest. Days are long and months are short-time is flying by. This year, I have done things I never thought that I would do. I’ve met and befriended people that have changed my life. I’ve let go of fears, insecurities, lies, and chains that were holding me back. I’ve gotten to see the Lord work in mighty ways. I’ve both laughed and cried more than I have during probably any other year in my life. Through it all, the main anthem has been of seeing the faithfulness of the Lord. And it’s not over yet.

There are 99 days left and I don’t want to take a single one for granted. 99 days left to see the Lord move all over the world- in the smile of the kids who are waiting to be adopted, in the tears of the men and woman I get the chance to pray for, in the redemption of stories, and in the freedom that we are called to walk in. In 99 days, I’ll be landing in NYC. Shortly after that, I get to see you all and hug you tight. I get to share with you just how this year has impacted me. But the good thing is, even then-it’s not over. The adventure will be continuing, it just may look a little different. In honor of the bittersweet notion of hitting the double-digit mark, here are 99 things that I’ve learned thus far on the race:

1. Real, true community may be one of the hardest things to create, but it’s one of the best things you can do.
2. You can ALWAYS fit one more person into the vehicle.
3. People need to hear what you have to say. When you hold back your stories, opinions, lessons, struggles, etc., you are robbing others of the wisdom, experience, and freedom that you have to share.
4. I would never want to be famous. The paparazzi life isn’t for me.
5. Rest isn’t a suggestion, it’s a commandment. It’s only when you realize that that you can operate out of true rest in the Lord.
6. Even if you don’t speak the language, you can win over any child with funny faces, tickle fights, and a smile.
7. Leave your expectations at the door.
8. Fight to stay present and practice contentment. You’ll miss out on so much if you don’t.
9. When your host says she has a “surprise” for you, get ready for a LONG day.
10.  You can find Snickers in pretty much every country.
11.  Coca Cola, too (unfortunately, not diet).
12. You CAN survive without running water.
13.  And without a comfy mattress to sleep on.
14.  In reality, you need much less than you think you do.
15.  Fresh concrete needs watered (who knew?!)
16.  An attitude of flexibility and willingness are key to most situations in life.
17.  Be interruptible- the interruptions will result in so many sweet memories and relationships.
18.  Punjabi’s are really the only attire you need- good for every situation (thanks, India).
19.  It’s not about ME. Never has been, never will be.
20.  You don’t have to have it all together.
21.  Let others into your mess, they want to come alongside you.
22.  A hammock is not only good for relaxing; it also makes a good shower curtain and bathroom door.
23.  How to use a squatty potty.
24.  There are more generous and kind people in this world than not.
25.  My name is hard to pronounce in most languages.
26.  Wifi has become more of a comfort/addiction than I’d like to admit.
27.  God speaks to us, we just have to pay attention.
28.  I will never be perfect, and that’s okay.
29.  I will always be a work in progress- the Lord is never finished with us.
30.  How to dig a ditch with just a shovel head and makeshift handle.
31.  I tend to put ministry in a box. It’s much more than what I limit it to.
32.  God, too.
33.  I love to get to know people and to hear their stories.
34.  Discipleship is something that I’m passionate about.
35.  How to play soccer.
36.  And volleyball.
37.  God is faithful. His promises are sure.
38.  Miracles still happen today.
39.  Humongous portions of rice are meant to be eaten at every meal in Asia.
40.  Prayer is powerful.
41.  Take every chance you get to hike a mountain.
42.  Look around and notice the beauty in the things around you.
43.  Stepping out of your comfort zone is the best way to learn and to grow.
44.  Speaking may not be something I enjoy, but it’s something that I’m good at.
45.  I am a teacher, through and through.
46.  We in the U.S. are blessed in more ways than we even realize.
47.  It’s not my job to fix anyone.
48.  It is my job to encourage and to call those around me up and point them to Christ.
49.  Evangelism scares me, but that doesn’t mean that I should never do it.
50.  In India, pretty much anywhere is fair game for your trash.
51.  Even when you don’t feel it, God is moving.
52.  Sometimes the best thing you can do for someone is to just sit with them.
53.  How to teach English to kindergartners.
54.  How to scare birds away from a corn field.
55.  Loving others is a CHOICE.
56.  So is joy.
57.  How to hunt insects (luckily, I didn’t have to learn how to fry them up and eat them. PTL).
58.  How to plant grass (bamboo).
59.  Listen to other opinions, but research things for yourself and take everything back to scripture.
60.  People that you just met can become family.
61.  Always have games and songs prepared ready to implement at a moment’s notice.
62.  How to organize and implement VBS.
63.  You can make any place home in a short amount of time.
64.  How to haggle and to get the best price.
65.  Budgeting galore.
66.  How to plan and shop for 7 people to make money go the furthest.
67.  How to do currency exchanges on the go.
68.  There’s so much that I want to learn.
69.  There is so much more to the history that we’re taught.
70.  How to play (sort of) ukulele.
71.  I don’t always trust the Lord as much as I’d like to think I do.
72.  How to make a decent meal out of pretty much anything.
73.  How to pack a pack full of things for the year in under 30 minutes.
74.  Don’t brush off the things people see in you- they recognize them for a reason. Learn to accept and recognize your gifts.
75.  I need to be challenged.
76.  Peace comes from trust and faith that the Lord is there and that He’s in perfect control.
77.  Seek out perspectives other than your own.
78.  Conflict and hard conversations are signs of healthy relationships. They aren’t a bad thing.
79.  How to start a fire.
80.  My worth comes from the Lord. I don’t need to doubt that.
81.  I don’t know what’s next and that’s okay.
82.  Most other countries lack the ability and skills to provide for those with special needs in all the ways that they need. My heart for this has grown.
83.  People don’t need your pity.
84.  My follow-through on disciplines is lacking.
85.  The planner in me has drastically decreased.
86.  You can do communion with anything- even beetles and frogs.
87.  How to convince a host to adopt a cat.
88.  Everyone’s experience is different and that’s okay.
89.  The Lord will use your weaknesses.
90.  You can fit 16 people in a 3 room building for a month and survive.
91.  When you don’t know the language, it often sounds like people are fighting. They’re not.
92.  My time is not my own.
93.  Never leave the house without TP and hand sanitizer.
94.  Gestures and charades go a long way when trying to communicate overseas.
95.  How to sleep pretty much anywhere.
96.  Peanut butter is its own food group.
97.  Your pack can hold more than you realize- just remember you have to carry it.
98.  Just how big and connected the kingdom family really is.
99.  I’ll never be the same and at the end of the day, it’s all about Jesus.

---

 

THANK YOU to all of you back home. You all have supported me with your kind words, sacrifices financially, and your prayers. As hard as it will be to say goodbye to this community that I have on the race, it will be SO sweet to see you all again. As the time nears for me to be home, I start to think about what’s next. It’s been a year since I’ve had a job and a paycheck and that can make the transition back home seem scary. There are 2 ways that I’d love for you to partner with me in this!

1. Pray for our transition into new teams and our final continent- Africa! Pray that I’d be able to stay present and fully embrace the moments and growth that the Lord has in these final months. That He’d be preparing direction and next steps and I’d rest in the peace of knowing that He’s in control. Pray for the people that we will leave behind and those that we will encounter- for open doors and opportunities to show them the love of Christ.

2. I have 99 days left on the race and then whatever the transition home entails. If you would like to continue supporting me financially, it would be a huge blessing to have personal funds for the rest of the race. To bless those I encounter, for ministry clothing/supplies, and for treat meals and adventures. And for after the race, for loans and payments that pick back up. Pray about how and if the Lord would have you partner with me in this way! If you are interested in helping me with this, send me a message or you can donate through https://www.paypal.me/SylviaBarrett.