Whoah. I can honestly say that these questions/reflection time has been so so good for my soul. It has been a process that I didn’t want to face. Not because I’m afraid it’s over but because I didn’t want to find any regrets. No regrets for sure but my heart is filled with gratitude for all the people who helped get me here, the people I’ve met, the things I’ve seen and my relationship with the Lord. Here I am sitting in the Dominican Republic and month 11. Here are questions that I have received and if you have any you can comment below and I will get it answered for you. Memories flooding back of good and bad, but in every memory Jesus was there.
What was the most significant experience you had with God?
Our team was serving at Love Story in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. We were having one of our last meals with our ministry host and when we finished eating we had some time in worship and really inviting the Holy Spirit into the space. Luke, (whom he and his wife and their ministry came at the most beautiful time of my race), prophesied over me. The Lord used him to speak truth into my heart. The presence of the Holy Spirit was powerful and every word he shared was right on point.
Some words that Luke shared with me;
“He must hurt you to heal you.” When he shared these words with me I broke down. I’ve had great loss in my life and I often wonder why did it have to happen to me? I can remember when I lost my dad I didn’t want it to be real. It can’t be. It wasn’t until I began to praise God for such an earthly father that I began to feel healing in my heart. This has been one of the handful of times that I had been prophesied over and can say that the way I experienced God in that moment was where I felt Him most on this race. Feeling His presence and knowing that He was speaking through Luke was what I needed to hear.
He described me as a missing puzzle piece. “A missing puzzle piece into other peoples lives. The thing that is missing is the heart. Nothing can work without the heart. You are the one that makes everything work. The Lord wants to use you in many ways to reach the least of these. You have a gift to seek out the one who is lost. The way that He has hurt you is so that you are able to help so many He has in mind for you. To counsel others all around you. You have such a beautiful way with people.”
My heart has continued to heal day by day. Every day I get that much closer to God and He gives me all that my heart will every need.
What kind of activities did you do to see more of the countries/cultures? Also, out of personal curiosity, wondering how you found balance to keep from being overwhelmed in your service and mission.
Some countries our ministry hosts were locals and some months they were missionaries themselves. When we had local ministry hosts we were able to be more engaged in the culture. It was also nice as throughout the month we would have ministry hosts or others in the community cook for us. To eat all the local food was such a fun experience. Each month we were give 3-4 adventure days to go see the country. We often looked for events that had history, but some adventures were climbing waterfalls to see more creation, safaris or visiting temples.
The more relationships I was able to build I could learn that much more about them and their home. Finding balance was something I knew I needed to do early on. I’m not a big internal processor so writing in my journal wasn’t daily. I spent time doing creative journaling (calligraphy) while listening to worship music and would externally process through pictures. This would give me some much needed introvert time that I didn’t know my extrovert heart was missing. 🙂 Having rest one day a week, reflecting weekly and debriefing monthly I was able to not feel overwhelmed. There were some days I just needed to have a good cry, read scripture endlessly, play my guitar or go play with kids. Learning to obey the command of sabbath has been extremely beneficial in my walk and I know it has allowed me to have the energy to finish this season of life.
What culture do you think we (Americans) could learn the most from and why?
The first thought that comes to mind is the love and the passion that the African culture has for Jesus. The first thing they do is invite the Holy Spirit into every space. In Burma the culture was accommodating to our every need. In Europe they were so hospitable and wanted to serve us just as much as we were serving them! I know I see these things in America but believe it was a higher priority in other cultures.
Are you tired? What are some things you did to recharge spiritually and physically?
I am. I’m definitely looking forward to a few weeks off in July before getting back into ministry. Learning to have my sabbath weekly. That has helped me in resting physically and spiritually. Some months I was more tired physically but others it was spiritually. For spiritually I would have my Jesus time daily (most mornings) but sometimes it would be evenings. This would look like worship, reading scripture, podcasts, and praying. It’s always fun to have new ways of learning more about Him and who He has called me to be.
Physically each month would look different. In month 2 (Romania) we had a soccer stadium we went to and ran stairs, ran around the track, different workouts throughout. In month 6 (Myanmar) we didn’t have much so I did yoga in the hallway. In month 7 (Lesotho) we walked everywhere for ministry and it definitely wasn’t Kansas. Mountains and hills in every step. Some months we used workouts on the computer. This was beneficial. Staying active on the race definitely gave me good energy to play with kids, manual labor and to walk through borders and airports with my 50lb back pack, 30lb day pack and guitar.
Where do you think you had the biggest impact? What area impacted you the most?
I believe that I saw the biggest impact in Zimbabwe. That month (as a squad) we saw 1,000+ people receive Christ. Whether they were new believers or asking the Lord back into their lives. This month (as a team) we got to play, hold, love and laugh with 20 sweet babes at a children’s home. Affection was something they didn’t get a lot of as there are more of them than their were caretakers. Getting to do something so simple was something much bigger in their hearts.
Lesotho impacted me the most. We had multiple ministry opportunities filled up in one month. From school, to gardening, prison, hospital ministry. They were endless! One thing that really called me out of my comfort zone was sharing the word at church one Sunday morning. I also got to share the word at the hospital and my testimony multiple times, but through the pastors, church and community I would say Lesotho had one of the biggest impacts of the race.
What was your biggest challenge?
The biggest challenge was saying goodbyes at the end of each month! We had a saying to “Love Hard but Hold Loosely.” This was to make the goodbyes a bit more bearable at the end of each month. It doesn’t get easier but I have faith in knowing I will see some again on this side of heaven and others in Heaven. 🙂
Fav food on entire trip?
Kôw soy!! “arguably the most famous northern Thai dish, combines wheat-and-egg noodles and a rich, fragrant curry broth. The dish is closely linked to Chiang Mai, and was probably introduced to northern Thailand by travelling Chinese merchants.” I fell in love with this dish and have already pinned some recipes on pinterest to make when I get home. 🙂
Which culture did you most enjoy and why?
Ever since I went to Kenya in 2015 I’ve had a sweet spot for Africa. So I will always love it, but I can honestly say I truly enjoyed Asia. It was probably the one I was looking forward to the least but how cool that it is now one I most enjoyed. Absolutely breathtaking from culture, views, food, and people.
Thing you miss the most back home?
family, friends, church, (those are given i’m sure), but specifically; my bed, my car, gracehill wine, Verita coffee, my blow dryer and just the beauty of the midwest. 🙂
What is one of your favorite things you have learned while serving on the race?
Giving and receiving feedback. It can be a hard thing to do, but in the end so healthy when you live or are a part of any community.
Least favorable bathroom situation?
Well if we’re not counting the two times I peed my pants from laughing. I would say the squatty potties in Asia. Definitely built up those quad muscles. I thought it was funny when I found a sign once that said, “Please do not stand on the toilet.” As I find shoe prints on the toilet seat. I would also think that by month 7 I would have learned to always have toilet paper with me!
Which country was your favorite to visit and why?
There are many in this category and grateful for each country I got to experience. Over all experience would be Romania. I loved the beauty from the country, the friends and the culture I experienced there. From castles to sunflowers and the mountains. I just couldn’t get enough of it. The weather was also our fall weather back home and leaves were changing. So good.
And what have you learned the most from this experience?
That the Lord speaks to me through small whispers and visions. Gratitude. To not be in such a hurry.
What is the most useless item you brought and why?
A fidget spinner. 🙂 I ended up putting it in a “World Race Gift Exchange” at Christmas time. For the exchange we were asked to gift something from our pack that we didn’t want/need any longer. It was a great opportunity to gift it to someone else!
Was there a culture or country that you could see yourself living in long term?
Yes, definitely Romania and South Africa!
And what’s one or two items you wish you would of brought or that you used the most?
There isn’t anything that I wish I would have brought. If there was anything that I really needed we could find it in some of the bigger cities. I’m pretty happy with the things I came with, but the thing I’m grateful I have had are my essential oils. Tea tree, lavender, thieves and peppermint!
How has the actual experience differed from the expectations you had going into this?
Living in constant community. Like, people always around. It’s been a great experience but was quite the adjustment had been living with just my sister the years prior. Overall experience has far exceeded any expectations. I have met some forever friends and my heart for the world grew 10 times more than I could have ever imagined.
Was there a moment that you saw Jesus moving that stands out more than the rest?
We had a squad debrief in Bangkok, Thailand. The moment we arrived there I wanted to leave. The oppression there was real and my anger toward man was great. Spiritual warfare has been evident throughout the race and this was one place I felt it. We walked through multiple Red Light districts with thousands of woman victimized to human trafficking. In me I could only feel anger towards the Pimps and Johns selling and buying the woman. The Lord gave me a vision one night before we went out to evangelize to the prostitutes, pimps, and johns. It wasn’t until I saw them through His eyes that I had the desire to share the love of Jesus with them. That each and every one of them belong to Him just as much as I do and He wants them to hear His good news.
How has this changed your views on America? The world?
That just as much as I’m sharing Jesus with the world; America needs Jesus too. I’m excited to continue ministry in the American church at Gracepoint when I get home. I can’t wait to continue to travel and see the world. There is so much to see and do for the kingdom! There is so much of His goodness all around us and we are the ones who decide if we want to share His goodness. Whether it is near our home or to the ends of the earth.
Where are you wanting to go back? Where do you think you did the most good?
Romania, South Africa and Thailand! I hope and pray that I did good in each country but one I think we had a major impact on was Myanmar. If you can think about Asia 50 years ago that is what we got. Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) has been a closed country for years and we were as foreign as foreign could get.
After seeing and experiencing all you did, what message do you most want to spread when you return home?
Don’t fear the world. It is the most kind and beautiful place. Things that we hear or see through the news give us a fear of man. The Lord has allowed me to meet the most wonderful people when I travel. Not just by traveling across the world, but even at home. When I slow down and take time to notice those around me I become more personal.
What was your hardest moment?
Besides saying goodbyes every month; homesickness hit the hardest in month 4 and month 10! I was sad to be missing the holiday seasons in November and last month I was hot, tired and longing to be home. You desire all the comforts of home but it was an experience of a lifetime and wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Which sibling did you miss the most?
All of them 😉
Which aunt did you miss the most?
All of them 😉
From the time you started the process until now how has God used this experience to transform you more into the image of Christ?
He continues to teach me each day of how I can look more like Him. Through teammates, locals, ministry, adventure, cultures and letting go of my own comforts. Communion was the word the Lord gave me for this year and I have lived to see what that looks like daily. I have grown in more intimacy with Him through scripture, worship, missions and relationships. I have new courage, faith, love and boldness. Those that have given me feedback have called me higher..
The things God did in me and through me as I traveled the world were beyond anything I ever could have asked for or imagined, and my life is drastically and amazingly different because of it.
What advice would you give a future racer?
Feedback is the real deal. It’s important to get over the fear of people not liking you. If I had told my teammates the character flaws I saw in them from the start, it would have made things easier for them, it would have helped our relationship, and it would have ushered the kingdom of God in sooner. Feedback should be given often, for we are all far from perfect, amen?
What was your favorite spot of the trip?
I can honestly say that I enjoyed each spot! So I’ll say what the first favorite memory/thing of each country was. 🙂
Serbia; living at ‘summer camp’ all month long, Romania; some of my best friends live here, Bulgaria; our ministry hosts, Malaysia; art, Thailand; Night markets, Myanmar; history, Lesotho; mountains, South Africa; Love Story, Zimbabwe; VBS, Haiti; swimming with the community babes, Dominican; reflection/process.
Has there been a moment where you have felt God working in the area you were visiting? Felt God moving on a grander scale?
We would often feel strong spiritual warfare in countries where we had come to after seeing so many come to know Jesus. So it basically became a ‘theme’ each month. The enemy would try to kill every hope and dream that we had for each country. My time in Bangkok and South Africa were times for sure but in Haiti I wanted to be home more than ever. I wrote a thankful journal entry and just wrote down everything that I was grateful for there. The heat, hunger, and long days were getting in the way of what God had in store for me. After giving my gratitude for all that was good there I was able to see past the things bringing me down and began to see His goodness in it all. His goodness was always there I just hadn’t chose to see it in the beginning. His grace and mercy; wow, so beautiful.
Thank you all for the great questions! If you have any others for me don’t hesitate to ask!
America; I’ll see you in 24 days!
Much love.
