First off, I’d like to apologize for not blogging in the past month. I really don’t have any excuses for not posting anything. With that being said, let me give you a quick summary of everything that has happened in the last month.
Our month in Nepal was sort of a whirlwind, so much happened. At the beginning of the month, as most of you know, we were in Kathmandu and we had team changes as well as several leadership changes within our squad. This month is also one of a few of our ATL (Ask the Lord) months where we pray and ask God what our ministry should be for the month. With the nature of ATL, there are generally some conflicting ideas as to what teams should do for ministry; so having a new team, ATL, and new leadership just posed a very interesting situation.
During these leadership changes, I was raised up to a team leader over my team. I’m going to briefly share my thoughts on this change in my leadership and, ultimately, my race. Being a team leader is something that I had never had much of a desire to do. It has a certain connotation that comes with the title that is given. I think that there are certain people who view those with these titles on them differently and this is not something that I desire. I want to be known for the character that I exude as well as who I am, Michael Pickett. Not “Team Leader”. I also believe that there are certain expectations that come into play when a title like this is given. Some of these expectations are realistic and some are unrealistic. I am going to step boldly into this new change in my life but also with this knowledge on my mind and to be careful that I do not ever take on a superiority complex which can so often accompany a leadership position like this.
After choosing our team name and getting somewhat established as a team, determining the culture we wanted to create as a team, we needed to pray and figure out what our ministry would be for the month. After praying both together as a team and separately, we came up with the idea of a trek. We were not sure what trek or how ministry would look so we kept researching and praying. Eventually, Kaydan found a trek into the region of Nepal known as the Tsum Valley.
1) We were initially extremely hesitant to pursue a trek like this because we knew that it would require funding from people whom we had been asking over the past year for funds to come on the World Race in the first place. Despite this, after discussing as a team, we decided to dream big with God and to at least try. To God be the glory.
2) The trek was exhausting. Before, during, and after the trek, we were all sick at one point or another; whether it was due to altitude sickness, traveler’s diarrhea, exhaustion, or something else. Everyone maintained a positive attitude most of the time and we made it through the trek!
3) We had certain expectations for the trek like how ministry would look, who all we would be able to minister to, and what the trek would be like. While on the trek, many of our expectations were not met and it was difficult hiking all day while being disappointed from having unmet expectations. We eventually came to terms with it and were able to give glory to God for the opportunities that we did have. We also got to pour into our amazing guide, Bharat, the entire time and that was an amazing opportunity in itself.
4) For me, the trek was amazing. I loved every bit of it. I also loved being able to pour into our guide while being out in God’s amazing creation. Here are a few photos from our trek through Tsum Valley!
After our trek, we went back to Kathmandu for our squad debrief at our hostel. After debrief, we prepared as a squad to head into our next month in Malaysia.
Local shopping and dining area near our hostel in Kuala Lumpur
Going into Malaysia I did not have many expectations for the country as a whole or what we would be getting ourselves into. Malaysia is another ATL month where we are to pray and ask God what our ministry will be for the month. We stayed in Kuala Lumpur at a hostel downtown for a few days to figure out what we should do. My first impression of Malaysia and specifically Kuala Lumpur is that it is basically a mini New York City. It is super fancy and incredibly nice. Even at our cheap hostel, we had every amenity that we could ever need and we really enjoyed it. After about a week, we had found a ministry opportunity on Penang Island at a local place called Kawan. They essentially feed the homeless people in the area, so we would assist in this as well as helping them move out of their building into another building because their lease is ending.
Recently, I have really been struggling, moreso slacking, in my quiet time with the Lord. And the sad part is that I have so much time to do it, I just get so distracted. What’s even more disturbing about this is that life here in Malaysia and during ATL is similar to how life will be when I return home from the Race. If I am not making time for Jesus and ministry here, how will I do it at home. I have had to really force myself into making time with Jesus and something that I could definitely use prayer for right now as I continue to grow in my relationship with the Lord, which is the most important thing we can do in this life.
God Bless
