This is the blog that I couldn’t imagine writing. I remember having conversations with people before I left about how quickly this year would fly. I kept saying, “yeah, it’s just going to fly by and I know I need to soak in every moment.” But then I blinked. And it really was over.
The last month was just full of goodbyes. Goodbyes to squad mates. Goodbyes to ministry kids. Goodbyes to hosts. Goodbye to Ecuador. Goodbye to the World Race.
It’s so weird just looking back at my life the last 9 months. As we drove to Quito to go to the airport, we could see the night lights glistening and I was comforted by the familiar view. But then I realized that that was the last “normal” thing in my life for a while. For the last 9 months, my life was a season of constant change. A season of constant growth and stretching. A season surrounded by my 30 best friends. That constant changing while being surrounded by my squad was my normal. And now it’s gone.
Honestly, I don’t even know how I feel yet. Sad to not be in Ecuador. Excited to see my family. Lonely without my people. Right now, the only thing I have to cling too is Jesus. I know He has me home for a reason and that I have a whole new mission field in front of me, but there’s still so many questions. Why did it have to end? Did I really change? Was I even missed while I was gone? Will my people remember me?
This is my last blog, but thank you so much to everyone that has helped me go on this journey. I thank God so much I was able to experience such a trip, and will forever be changed because of it.
-A
P.S. I forgot my phone in Bogota so prayer requests that I am able to get it back because it has all my pictures and videos from the last month on it!!!
Here’s my end-of-the-race video:
