Month 4 (January)
I spent the month of January in Vietnam! It was by far the hardest month I’ve had on the Race. Vietnam is a closed country so it is illegal to be a missionary there. This made it a little dangerous for us to be there! It was not only physically tough, but also mentally and spiritually tough. I was exposed to some of the darker parts of the world. I saw things that broke my heart and I know if it broke my heart I know it broke God’s heart 1,000 times more. I also ate the weirdest foods and smelled smells I didn’t know existed! It was ATL (Ask The Lord) month. ATL months allow us to wake up every morning and ask the Lord what He wants us to do. We ask who He wants us to talk to or who to be a blessing or encouragement to that day.
What did I learn? I learned about how important it is to tell others about Jesus. To tell them what He’s done for me because so many people around the world need Him, but have never even heard His name.
If you haven’t already you can read my previous blog to read more about traveling to Vietnam and the first few days I spent there. It is called “My Body Hates Me.”
Month 5 (February)
I was in Siem Reap, Cambodia! It was my FAVORITE month on the Race thus far! It was a roller coaster of a month. It was a month filled with 12 hour ministry days, sharing the gospel in rural villages, visiting schools, teaching English in elementary classes, physical labor (painting, cleaning, shoveling dirt, picking weeds) at the church we were partnering with, and playing with lots of kids. All while living with 36 other people because it was SQUAD MONTH again!
What did I learn? I learned that there are some things that I will be incapable of understanding until I meet Jesus face to face. I saw things that made me question my faith. Part of the month I stopped believing that God was good. I now know what it means to wrestle with God. But near the end of the month God revealed to me that He IS good. He is a good God who is not seeking to punish or judge us. No matter what my circumstances are like around me He is still good. He is good no matter what and even when He is silent there is something to be heard. In our struggles is when our faith in the Lord is truly tested.
(If you haven’t already, you can read my previous blogs to read more about what happened in Cambodia: “What God Revealed To Me In Cambodia” & “How Can God Be Good If Bad Things Happen.”)
Month 6 (March)
We spent the month of March in Fier, Albania in Europe! This was our second continent change! Going from Cambodia to Albania was a BIG culture shock! I felt like I was in an alternate universe! So many things reminded me of home, but the culture was different and everyone spoke a different language! We spent the whole month teaching English classes, leading Bible study’s, and sharing our testimonies at a local church! We also gave away shoeboxes full of gifts from Operation Christmas Child! It was a slower month with a less jam packed schedule than we were used to which was the hardest part for me!
What did I learn? I learned that being vulnerable is not easy or fun at all, but it is so rewarding! Before coming on the World Race when I would be asked to share my story I would hardcore cringe inside when I thought about sharing certain parts of it. I learned that sharing your story, even the dark parts, can help other people and yourself walk in freedom from the past.
Month 7 (April)
Last month, we were out in the middle of nowhere, Serbia! We worked at a camp called Kamp Mrcajevci. We cleaned and cleaned some more! We also helped put a roof on a house! All to prepare for the campers that will come this summer.
Since we were out in the middle of nowhere, we were surrounded by nature and IT WAS AMAZING! I haven’t experienced that kind of quiet in 6 month! I took the opportunity to rest and reflect on how I’ve grown on the Race. I’ve realized that the World Race is the BIGGEST blessing and it has already changed my life. It has shaped me to be a better and more confident person in Christ!
What did I learn? Overall, I learned about the importance of self reflection and inner peace.
If you have read my blogs from the beginning or if you donated money so I could do this, I AM SO GRATEFUL! THANK YOU SO MUCH!
