Dear Family, Friends, Neighbors,
This note is to officially end this World Race season of my life and to say a big THANK YOU to all of you for your support and prayers.
This time last year, I was in the Philippines for Month 1, getting to know my new team, helping to deliver babies at Hope Alive Clinic, making cement blocks for a future school with Kids International Ministries, and sharing the Gospel to mothers and children in impoverished neighborhoods. I was also still fundraising, and unsure if I really heard God call me to the World Race for 11 months.
Fast-forward to 1 year later, and I am so thankful I took that leap of faith and trusted that God would provide. Every time I mention where I’ve been for the past year, the number one question is How. Thanks to all of you, I was fully funded in month 4 (January 2019), in Lesotho. As my team will tell you, up until that point, a little part of me wasn’t really committed to all 11 months. Once I was fully funded, I gave God my full yes, and the rest is history!
I’m now on the other side of the Race, and trusting that God still has good things in store for me. I’m trusting that the Race was only the beginning to awaken me to live Kingdom-minded. It’s more challenging here in the States because of the many distractions, but that’s no excuse. I want God to continue to use me to bring good news to the poor, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and comfort those who mourn (Isaiah 61). I want to continue to live out “life is ministry and ministry is life.”
So, many people have also asked, what’s next for me? All I can say for sure is that my one desire is to be obedient to the Holy Spirit. Like it says in Galatians 1:10, “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Today, I want to encourage you with this verse as well. Since being home, some of my priorities have shifted, which is fine, as long as I’m keeping God in the center. So, I encourage you to constantly be re-evaluating your priorities and make changes if you have to. It’s the only way we can live the more abundant life we are called to live as followers of Jesus!
Again, thank you so much for your support before and during my mission trip October 2018 through August 2019. I could not have gone without your support. Because of your support so many people (especially children) have now been introduced to God’s love in 11 different countries in Asia, Africa, and Central/South America. THANK YOU!!!
In courageous faith and for His glory alone,
Sharon
p.s. The best way to reach me from now on is +1-914-557-0117, @sharonruns on Instagram, and sharonruns.com. I’m in the process of revamping my personal blog site since it’s been a while, so stay tuned for periodic blog posts at sharonruns.com (most likely in 2020).
p.p.s. I apologize if I’ve not had chance to catch up with you already! If you’d like to meet up to ask me questions about the 11 months or just to say hello, feel free to text/call me!
