I look back on this past year and realize, it wasn’t so much the country itself that affected me most, but the community or host that impacted my life and view on the month. I’m obviously a relational person and relationships matter! Lol here are 10 words to describe the past 10 countries I’ve been to over the course of the world race.
1. Serbia- Beginning
I chose this word for this month because it all felt new. My team, the culture, the food, the language, being on the race and learning how to do everything asked of us.
2. Romania- Perseverance
This country is 0.2% Christian. They call it the Graveyard for believers because we are so few, and there’s a underlying dark presence. It took perseverance to learn how to be bold enough to evangelize and constantly be looked at differently. Perseverance to endure the oppression we as Christians felt, even if it was indirectly. Lots of spiritual warfare, but quite a growing month.
3. Malawi- Learning
I began a new continent with lots of heat. Africa is hot! I learned about their culture and food(Nsima) and learned how to sing many children songs as I helped teach a kindergarten class. Things I learned from this country I used several other occasions throughout the race during other youth events!
4. Zimbabwe- Flexibility
Sometimes things don’t always work out the way you plan them lol schedule changes became a norm and flexibility was definitely needed! Since I’m a planner, I had to grow in this a lot lol
5. Botswana- Change
This was a month where team changes happened and my logistics partner changed. Change. Again learning a new team with new dynamics. We were in the bush without WiFi. This was a wonderful month seeking the Lord as my constant in the midst of change.
6. Cambodia- Endurance
We changed continents again. From the dry heat of Africa to the humid heat of Asia, I learned real quick the difference humidity can make in adding to the heat! Constant sweat. We couldn’t really eat the meat there because our bodies were not used to it. This was one of my favorite months, but it took a lot of endurance physically!
7. Thailand- Initiate
As an ATL(Ask the Lord) month, we had to initiate ministry. Whether going on prayer walks or handing out encouragements we made, it took initiative not to get lazy.
8. Malaysia- Sisterhood
This was all girls month…15 girls together doing ministry together. I look back on this month and realize I’ll probably never get that chance again to have 14 other sisters living under one roof.
9. Panama- Family
One of my top two! Panama has my heart because of the solid relationships created there! Our host was truly like another mother. We stayed on a YWAM base and ate and lived with the local teenagers going to school there. My little Panama family 🙂
10. Costa Rica- Transition
As we end this journey, Costa Rica has been one of getting into the mindset of transitioning home. Another one of my top two countries, it’s been wonderful creating relationships here as well. I’ve had to initiate and invest in people and use my passions to pour into people, which I’ll have to do at home. A great way to end one journey and begin the next <3
