I’m home! My season as a world racer has ended. It kinda feels like when the Christmas season is over it’s sad but after a little while you’re ready to take the decorations down and head into the next season. Well it’s time to take the decorations down. Doesn’t mean they aren’t special to me anymore it’s just time.
My journey as a World Racer may have come to an end. But everything it’s taught me will carry on.
This last month has felt as quick as a flash of lightning.
Ministry was amazing. We went on feedings in different communities( serving them warm porridge) they would come with whatever kind of dish or bowl they could come up with. We would then play with the kiddos and teach a bible study to the adults. Some of these places were hard to see. A lot of trash everywhere and dirty muddy streets. A scene I can’t accurately depict. It broke my heart.
Another ministry was helping at the children’s home watching the kids. They were so funny and had many melt down s probably because they didn’t know us. We helped watch 5 boys under the age of 2.
we did some projects around the mission grounds like painting and sorting donations. Unloaded a thousand boxes of grains for the feedings, that was a great arm day!
We were given the amazing opportunity to work at their women’s pregnancy clinic. That was incredible we learned how to do blood pressure, find and count the babies heart beat, measure the mothers stumach, weigh them and all that fun stuff. Rona the midwife we worked with was awesome! We learned so much. I helped during a delivery and that is something I’ll never forget seeing the mom and baby bond at first sight and touch. I was never happier to have someone squeeze the life out of my hand. It was the least I could offer.
One of my favorite memories in the Philippines was random hugs from a young man that had down syndrome. I was walking with my team to the children’s home one day and he just walked straight up to me on the street and walked right into my arms for a hug. It caught me kinda off guard and my team was like “do you know him?” in a whisper and I was like, no I have never met him. And this last week I was walking down the street and I hear this really loud “hey!” and turn around to him running full speed toward me and he ran straight into my arms again and stayed there for a good minute then just walked off. It still brings such a warm feeling to my heart. I’m gonna miss those hugs. It made me think of it as a warm goodbye to the race in a since.
Well after that ministry fill in I’ll talk a little about being home.
It’s been slightly cultural shocking even though I’m from the US. Since I’ve gone so many different places and had to adjust to new ways and different living conditions so much. Coming home is like a reverse of learning something new but readjusting to normal again.
I want to readjust but also want to glean from this past year. There’s so much processing to do. To reflect on all the things God did in, around, and through me. Its hard to really process when you’re always moving and learning knew cultures and things. So now is the time. I’m very excited to revisit all my race memories and growth I walked through.
Its So Good to be home with my family and see my friends, my cat, my room, and familiar things! I’m so glad I made it back for my brothers wedding too, just within 17 hours of it! I’ve only been home 2 days now and it’s been a busy 2 days, but it’s been a good 2 days. It’s good to be home!
I need to get back into rhythm and schedule again. I keep forgetting to eat because my body is still readjusting from time changes.
I’m excited to see what God has up His sleeve next in my life. I have no inclinations yet. Time to dream big with God and be His vessel wherever that may be. This trip has taught me when God wants you to do something and you listen He provides the way and clears the path for you. Also ministry is not always what you think it looks like. It doesn’t have to be countries away, it could be right in front of you wherever you are. It can look like smiling at a stranger, helping your neighbor, loving people like Christ loves them, encouraging your family and friends, living an interruptable life, etc. You get the picture. Ministry is life, not necessarily overseas or extravagant. Gods love is extravagant and He calls us to love like He loves. And we can do that wherever we are. Wherever He puts us.
Many Blessings,
Naomi =)
IM HOME!!! AHHH!
