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I am thankful for what I have learned from the World Race.
Below is a summary of a few things about what I have learned.
I can’t believe that it is time to write what I have learned from the World Race blog! Wow has time flown by. I still remember the fears and anxieties I had when I left the states for the first time in the first week of January 2019. I had a fear of danger, and I was nervous because I didn’t know what to expect. In training camp around this time, I was asked to be a team leader. I remember being uncertain at first, and I heard the Lord tell me to do it. I was asked a second time in Month five to team lead for another four months of the race. When I reflect over this past year and think about what I have learned, I would say I have learned things in 3 different categories or sections as to how I have grown. This year has made me unafraid to try new things. Overall I learned to live what I believe by stepping out in my faith. Along this journey, there have been conversations and questions that have challenged what I believed. I have been put in challenging and uncomfortable situations that sharpened my faith and my identity in Christ. I have learned through discussions, journaling, sharing my testimony, and diving deeper into God’s word. When evangelizing to people along this journey, I was able to get more clarity of what I believe. It was through sitting with people all over the world intentionally, hearing their stories, understanding their beliefs, and sharing the message of truth I have found in Christ.
TEAM LEADING AND COMMUNITY
1 John 1:7
First, I have learned so much from Team Leading. Living in a tight community this year meant you are around the same 6-7 people all the time. This year I grew in vulnerability, transparency, boldness, feedback, and honesty, taking off masks/walls. At the start, I learned to lead in humility and be dependent on the Lord for every step. There were moments where I didn’t know the answers to people’s questions or where to go. Moments where my teammates called me out and called me higher. This community loved me throughout my mistakes, and ALWAYS pointed me to Christ. My mentor and coaches encouraged me to be bold when sharing the gospel and to go deeper into a relationship with the Lord. We lived out the gospel every day.
I learned how to thoroughly communicate information when it came to logistical things. I grew in having tough conversations with teammates in regards to addressing sin patterns and calling them higher out of love. Intentionally choosing the people around you despite how tired you are or your selfish desire to have your space. I learned what true forgiveness is/looks like through being bold and transparent. I learned from the brothers and sisters in Christ around me through their giftings/talents. Seeing people, the Lord sees them and encouraging people. There were, at times, disagreements, and moments when I felt like I didn’t fit in. But, in the moments when I felt outcasted, and alone the Lord comforted me. In the storms, lies, and attacks, the Lord comforted me through it all. This community reaffirmed me in my distress and loved me unconditionally. He has always been with me, and he will be forever. It has been a tough journey living in a close community but also the most rewarding thing in my life.
Fruit from this year.
- We traveled on 4 continents to more than 12 nations.
- We shared the gospel with 2,307 people.
- 1,015 people prayed to receive Jesus.
- 200 people were healed after we prayed for them.
- 342 people were delivered.
- 295 Bibles were distributed.
- 659 people plugged into discipleship groups/church.
- 530 people we personally discipled.
- 15 people were baptized.
GOODBYES AND THE CONNECTION
John 15:5
Secondly, it was hard to say goodbye after connecting so easily with the local people in every country. IT HURT ALOT! But I learned that the hurt I felt when saying goodbye cannot compare to how the Lord feels when we run away from him. As a team leader, I was responsible for connecting with the ministry hosts. We all became like them by eating what they eat, wear what they wear, and talk like they talk, etc. — keeping the eternal vision on — loving people beyond the physical. (1 Corinthians 9:22) I grew in loving people despite knowing that we were going to have to say goodbye at the end of the month. I learned what unconditionally love looks like despite knowing the pain you will feel when saying goodbye. The suffering you experience or the heartbreak you experience is nothing compared to the suffering Jesus endured on the cross for us. To continue to press forward and persevere through it all. To know that it is the Lord that will get you through it all. That it is only by his power alone that you can love as he loves us. Without him and his power, it is impossible to love others as Christ loves us. That all you need is him.
After reflecting, the Lord revealed to me when I said goodbye to Alberto in Santiago, Spain. He was the homeless guy John, and I had been connecting with. I realized that I have a gift of connection. I can connect with people naturally and quickly. I have learned this year as I continued to travel and connect to people of every single country. And I realized through feedback given to me this year from teammates, and now I see/believe it. Even when I look back at working in restaurants, I connected with people in a unique way that brought them back to see me time and time again. No matter where I am or what I am doing, I will connect to people.
The Lord is a God of connection. He desires to connect with every single one of his children in an intimate and personal way. A relationship that is special just to you. And this year for me has made me aware of this gift of connection he has given me. There were times where I chose to isolate myself out of fear of being hurt. It was because I finally understood how easy it is for me to connect to people. Month after month, it became harder to do. It became harder to love at full capacity with my all and living out my purpose to connect with people so they can know they are seen, known, and loved by Jesus. I now know that when I walking in faith and understand my identity, people will know who my father is. They will experience his love through the life I live to bring him glory.
MY IDENTITY
Romans 8:14-15
Lastly, I have been reminded continuously that I am a Child of God. That there is nothing I will ever do or become that is greater than that identity. As I connected with children in every country, I saw that through my understanding of my identity as the months went on, I was able to share more of God’s love intentionally. What I mean is that when I saw children, the Lord spoke to me and said, “Show them what it looks like to be loved.” And month after month, I was shown that it was their joy and love that was reciprocated back to me. I could see in their eyes, and by the way, they loved me back that they understood more of what God’s love looked like. I could see that they were accepting more of what God’s love is. Show them that the little amount of love you show them is nothing compared to the love I have for all of you. I realized that I have a huge heart to give and desire to love the people around me. No matter what I do or where I am in my life, I know and understand that my passion, joy, purpose, and direction comes from the Lord only. He directs my footsteps, and I have to depend on him ALONE.
WHAT’S NEXT
Thank you to my supporters! I am so thankful for you, and I wouldn’t have had this life-changing year without your support. This year God has taken me around the world, and now millions of people have a piece of my heart. Also, I still have paintings for sale. Email me at [email protected] if you are interested in buying a painting. Supporters, be on the lookout for an exclusive email from me! I am putting together a photo book that I can send out to you as a thank you for your support! There are more blogs about the last few months that will come after this one, so be on the lookout.
As I approach my last couple of days before returning home, I am in this place of dependency. I depend on the Lord for a place to stay and a job in Dallas. I plan on moving back to Dallas in December. The Lord is leading me back to my home church Irving Bible Church to continue to be an influence on the boys that I shared about in my last blog post. I plan on sharing what the Lord has done this year with my family and friends in Georgia before returning to Dallas. That will be the ministry that I will have until the Lord reveals more of the next steps to what he is calling me to. I will continue to update more as I am home. I am still actively pursuing my career and getting a good job. Although nothing is certain yet, I am at peace because I know how to wait until he tells me to move. This year has prepared me for this. It has prepared me for the rest of my life. I am thankful for all the Lord has done in 2019 on the World Race. So many stories, experiences, and lessons learned this year. I thank him and everyone that has supported me. Thank you!
I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance, and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:12-13
