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I loved my month at home. There was hard stuff. I failed in some areas with how I used my short time back here in the USA, and in others I don’t think I could have made a better decision.

Below are three hard things from my time at home this past month, and three good things. Finally, a few pics!

Hard stuff:

1. Comfort – There are simple pleasures I easily take for granted in the US. Like a foam mattress topper. I was lazier than I’d hoped with some of my time. I got really comfortable and that made me sluggish.

2. Solitude vs. Isolation – Solitude is good. It becomes isolation when we aren’t using the alone time as a means to connect with our Creator who loves us. If I shut out the one I was created for, and people aren’t around — for me that’s a recipe for disaster. I was in an emotionally volatile state coming off the race from saying goodbye and not knowing what to say to the people I loved who I was going to see to some up this crazy year and experience. I felt mostly out of place when I gave myself permission to isolate rather than use the solitude for deeper intimacy with the Lord.

3. Sin – Part of my story includes a struggle with lust, if I give into that I often start to think of God differently than He is, and view myself from the lense of a false god who would have me feel ashamed and unworthy, rather than loved and made worthy by His loving unconditional self sacrifice for me. Jesus is kind and that leads me away from that sin struggle. Yet, because of my flesh I don’t always do the things I truly want to do. Thankfully, God is always further transforming my heart to receive His love. My behavior changes from there. Being home I was once again reminded of the reality of the struggle, that we are participants in a Spiritual War. Jesus has won. Yet, the struggle is not over!

Good stuff:

1. Family and friends – I saw family and friends in Georgia and Florida. I cherished our time together. I got caught up on the stuff of people’s lives. I especially enjoyed conversations around what God has done in our lives in the past year. I enjoyed seeing the softening of hearts for my friends and family who are still journeying towards a relationship with Jesus. For those that know the Lord and walk with Him, it was fun to meet together to pray and encourage each other with where we are in our walk with God.

2. Project Search Light – After Florida, I saw my squad once again. We caught up and we were mobilized deeper into whatever opportunity the Lord has for us next. If we didn’t have anything lined up, they mentioned potential opportunities we could take and encourage praying into this post Race season. Whatever it is, each Racer is going to go do the goal is that we live as people loved by Jesus, and bringing His Kingdom with us wherever we go. Life is ministry, and ministry is life – we want to continue that on!

3. Leader Training – Because I am going back out to Africa, following PSL I’ve continued to be poured into by people who work with the World Race. We did lessons on finances, risk and safety, mission, intimacy with God, our identify, and how to take all this stuff and call it out in others. It was also much less Go Go Go than PSL so it was a nice time to connect with the leadership team I’m leaving out with and reflect on this past month and all that God’s been speaking in the midst of the hurry!

Currently, I’m waiting here at the Hilton in ATL to meet my new team. I’m pumped! Then in 4 days — I fly out to South Africa! Please pray for X squad, pray for my team, and pray for the people we are going to encounter! If you feel led, please give to anyone on X squad, and I myself have $2,285 left to raise. Just click donate to give or you can send money for personal expenses via cash app or venmo.

Cash app: $dandydaniel

Venmo: @Daniel-Peters20

Love you all! Here are some pictures!