You try not to have expectations when you go on the race, but it kinda happens anyways. Cambodia and Honduras took all of those expectations and threw them off a cliff. And thank you Jesus that happened. He has blessed me with more than I could ever imagine.
The living situation in Honduras is actually what I expected the race to look like though. Handing washing clothes on a washboard, toilets that you have to use a jug of water to flush, cold bucket showers, scorpions, spiders and other large unidentifiable bugs crawling right where I sleep on the ground (but at least we have actual beds!!!!) All of these things sound unpleasant and they are. It’s hard, uncomfy and just the living situation seems exhausting at times, but it’s so worth it. I love it so much. Every single thing here is so beautiful. God has completely blown my mind by His beauty. His complex, yet simplistic closeness is so cool.
He has blessed us by surrounding us with mountains that take my breath away every time I look up and I hope I never take it for granted.
Spiritually, mentally and physically, I feel like we’ve all grown so much and it’s so amazing to watch. I was talking to my teammate, Lauryn, the other day and she helped me realize that when our comforts are taken away and you don’t have them to lean on or be a distraction, you can hear God so much more clearly. I fully believe that He’s always with me and speaking in His beautiful, still and small voice, I can just hear Him so more clearly now because I don’t have a ton of things distracting me. And I know this not just limited to Honduras or even the world race as a whole, I know He’s the same God here and at home in America and I’m excited to continue in this mindset for hopefully, the rest of my life.
The other day, a lot of people from my squad fasted for the day for Honduras and for the sickness that was spreading throughout our teams. It was challenging, but it was so cool. Anytime I was hungry, tired or felt sick I immediately turned to Him before anything else and He comforted me and poured so many good things into my soul. This sacrifice was small in the grand scheme of things, but the opportunity helped me change my perspective and mindset on so many things. That night, we also did a sleep fast and 2 people every hour would wake up and pray for Honduras. It was really amazing to just declare His peace over this country, especially now, with all of the political unrest and corruption.
Thank you Jesus for reigning in this place and for this opportunity; I couldn’t have done it without you or the awesome community you have surrounded me with. Thank you for my team. Thank you for their kindness and generosity. Thank you for their love, venerability, and trust. They are my family now and I can’t thank You enough for each and every one of them. Grace, Hannah, Bekah, Lauryn, Ashley and Tennessee: you are changing my life in such a positive way, thank you for pushing and challenging me to do better and to go deeper, thank you for uplifting me and encouraging me, thank you for laughing and being really weird with me, and thank you for loving me unconditionally. I’m so proud of you all and I’m so thankful I get to experience life with you!!!
Thank you to the other team we’re living with this month: Free People, I frickin love all of you so much and it’s been so fun getting to know you guys more. I’ve loved watching you guys grow here and thrive in ministry and community with one another.
And thank you for my sweet friend and awesome squad leader, Andrea. You work so hard and you care so much for all of us. Thank you for loving us, calling us higher, being a great friend, comforter, and for being a great woman of God who fearlessly loves us all. I look up to you and I’ve learned so much from you already. You’re hilarious and I’m so thankful for all of the laughs we’ve shared. Thank you for observing bugs with me, inviting me in your hammock, sharing your oreos with me and relentlessly loving me and everyone around you. You deserve the best pizza empanada in the world.
Last, but certainly not least, thank you Jesus. Again and again. Forever ever and ever shall my lips praise you and thank you. For all of the good times, the hard times and for all of the great community here. Thank you for this opportunity to live with this specific community in this exact place at this time. You are so good and I love you so much.
