So,
Life in the US the last few weeks has been kind of crazy. From everyday issues that some of my team are dealing with as we prepare for training camp, to massive fires and flooding. Most of the kids I work with started school this past week and the remaining ones go on Tuesday. How crazy though that we are living life normally when 1000s of people in other parts of our country are being displaced from their homes and community. Besides being worried about our loved ones, the only real change we see here in NH is our gas prices have jumped over 40 cents this week. Have you ever been stuck in rush hour traffic or crammed on the highway with vacationers. This past Friday it took me 40 minutes to go a distance that usually takes about 7 simply because people were on their way to vacation in Maine.
Everyday life is continuing here as we watch news reports. What are we doing? What is important in life? We are donating money to help, some people are donating time and resources. We are hugging our families closer and we are praying for those affected by these natural disasters. Our lives go on in other places. It is so easy to get distracted that we can gloss over major things because they aren’t in our backyard. The theme when things happen like this is “The Power of One.” One person really can make a difference. One nurse who works 5 days in a row trapped in a hospital with minimal sleep, helping the hurting and wounded being boated into their already full emergency room. One man loading his boat on his truck and heading down to help evacuate those stuck in their homes. One restaurant giving out free meals as they feed their scared and hungry neighbors. To the people starting go funds, and putting donation buckets up and the churches collecting extra offerings to go to the aid of our neighbors. People are helping and you can make a difference.
Usually in our everyday lives though the people that do the “one thing” go unrecognized. We all have the ability to donate our time everyday, or give money to local charities and most of us do. You see someone asking for money on the side of the road and you stop and have a meal. Invest your time in local community events. Volunteer to help neighbors in need. As humans we are hard wired to desire having people around in some capacity and wanting to love and be loved. This desire runs deep but the neat thing about God is that I believe He gives this desire a purpose. It no longer becomes just a selfish need, but the opportunity to be His hands and feet to the least of these. Being his light where I am and loving those God has called me to love.
With the World Race a unique opportunity has come into my life but it doesn’t change who I am. I love, loving people. When they are hurting, angry, or happy. No matter what is going on or what has happened to them. My favorite part of my current job is I get to share life with 100s of people. I’m there with these kids both when they learn a new skill swimming or when their hearts are breaking and they feel like the dumbest person on earth. I’m there when they want to care about each other and when they want to punch each other in the face. As we muddle through life they know I love them, they trust me and beyond that I know God put me here to love them and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I can think of countless memories that make me shake my head and laugh out loud or that make me want to curl up in a ball and cry for their pain. But all of them matter. All of them were on purpose. I strive to do my life on purpose it doesn’t just happen.
I’m excited and terrified at the idea of the race. 11 countries, different lifestyles, foods, sleeping places, different diseases, bugs, poisonous things. The race is also 11 different places where God will show up. 11 different yards where I will get to laugh with those who laugh and mourn with those who mourn and be challenged to love like Christ in ways that I can only imagine. Being his hands and feet and shining light where he has called me. My God is so much bigger then the boxes I try and put him in and over the last few days he has been constantly reminding me of the “Power of One.” Just one willing heart, just one willing life, people who are saying yes, I am one person and I can do what I can to make a difference because it does matter.
Please consider being “the one” in my life. I need prayer warriors to come alongside of me and I need people to donate as well. I am both crazy excited and super nervous. I know God is going to show up.
