FORWARD
I have not posted a blog or really used any of my social media as a way to update those of you who are following me on this journey. The truth is, I feel like so much is happening or has happened that if I go a little bit without posting a blog I get overwhelmed with the amount of information I want to share in order to authentically share my heart with you all. However, I’m going to take the pressure off of myself to regale everything in fine detail, and from here on out post regularly enough to not feel trapped in information. I am forever thankful to everyone who has listened to the voice of Holy Spirit and supported me through prayer and finances. Time and time again you have shown me the body of Christ in action. Thank you for being the hope of the world.
- John
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At this point in time we’ve found ourselves halfway through this journey, and with only a few injuries (both physical and emotional) we look expectantly towards the future. I am in awe everyday of this opportunity, and am confident in how formative it will prove to be for me.
As a quick update for everyone, I am now one of 3 squad leaders for J squad. This means that Abby, Claire and I (separately) travel from team to team and stay 2 weeks with them to pour into and disciple the rest of J squad. This in itself is a journey that merits its own blog, but that will surely come when I’ve finished thinking about all the things I am going through enough to share with you all.
(Abby, Claire and I)
On the other hand, as I reach this halfway mark wondering how in the world I got here, the mortality of my World Race career is more present and more pressing. I’m on the downhill slope now, and with that come many thoughts.
What will I do when I get home? Go back to school? Get a job?
Where will I live?
How do I intentionally approach the rest of the Race?
What’s the balance between thinking about the future and also pouring into the Race 100%?
Etc. etc.
But I also get to think about all the fun, beautiful and hard things that have happened thus far.
Like the time in Haiti where I ate a peanut butter and m&m sandwich for dinner one night.
Or when I let Vic give me a baller haircut.
Or when I gave a duckling skin-to-skin in the Dominican Republic.
Or when I was awoken from a deep slumber on a bus in Haiti and told that my team and me had to get off the bus right then and there and thus ensued my first tap-tap ride.
Also the 16 hour layover in Boston.
And my first and only safari I’ve ever been on in South Africa.
And my team’s first real fight.
And camel spiders in Zimbabwe.
Basically all of Zimbabwe was a memory. For better or for worse. I still miss that month with the guys a lot. Including the Big Lez Show.
Victoria Falls.
Christmas away from home.
And all of what Asia has offered me.
With this in mind, I look forward to the latter half of this Race and what Jesus has in it for all of J church. As I walk on new ground all I really have is him. It’s really all we’ve got left. Our bodies are weary at times, and so are our souls. But the Spirit of the Living God continues to keep his promises and gives us life. I am so thankful for his presence.
This month I’ve been with a team spreading awareness of human trafficking, teaching young girls English, hearing the stories of young mothers, and encouraging women who own their own businesses and hearing their stories. We’ve been able to develop relationships with some of the girls and invest in them. It’s been a wonderful opportunity pouring into this community in different ways, and the work being done here bears so much fruit.
Thank you to team Talia for making me feel completely at home and a part of your team. You guys have ministered to me in so many ways.
More blogs to come.
Here are some pictures for you, Mom.
