Ahhhh. Our first debrief. It feels like a breath of fresh air after a crazy busy first month of the World Race. I still cannot believe I’m on the Race. It doesn’t feel real in the slightest!
I want to catch you all up on everything that has happened this month. It was a whirlwind of a transition, just as I expected the first month to be. My intention was to blog once a week, but in the little free time I had every day, my priorities quickly became quiet time with the Lord, exercising, and journaling over blogging and keeping up with posts on social media. At first, the thought of not “keeping up” with everyone else who seems to have it altogether with posting about the Race in real-time stirred up anxiety, but I’m working through the root of that anxiety with the Lord.
So, as my supporters, I’m asking for grace. Know that I am so grateful for each and every one of you, and I want to keep you up to date as much as possible, but sometimes it feels impossible, and I hope you can forgive me for placing other things in higher priority.
With that being said, month one is done. I repeat, MONTH ONE IS DONE!!!!!!!!!!! I’m still comprehending that truth. I feel as though I just accepted my position on the Race, let alone just finished my first month here on the field. Life is crazy. It flies by so quickly. I’m trying to soak in every moment, because I know as soon as I blink, this year will be over. *insert tears*
This month was nothing that I expected, but far better in every way. One of the best months of my life, for sure. Here’s a little peek into what it looked like:
August 8th. We all arrived safe and sound in Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa.
August 9th. Both teams (11 of us) left for the Baavians Mountains to serve at the toughest single-stage mountain bike race in the world for the weekend. My role was to check racers in and out of a checkpoint about 100 km into the race.
August 12th. My team started serving at Father’s House Church in Port Elizabeth, about a 45-minute drive from our ministry hosts, where we prepared and decorated for the Worthy Women’s Conference that coming weekend. We painted a mural, spray painted feathers, worshipped, and participated in Bible college. I felt like we were poured into by the staff and interns at the church more than we poured into them. That week was such a blessing.
August 16th. The start of the weekend we attended the Worthy conference. After all of our “hard work” during the week, the staff so generously allowed us to attend the conference free of charge. We experienced amazing worship, encouraging messages, and heart-warming community.
August 19th. The first day of our Beats & Books ministry. This is the ministry we spent most of our time with this month. Beats & Books is an after-school program for elementary/middle-school-aged children in the underprivileged community of Jeffrey’s Bay. Each child practices their instrument (either trumpet, drums, violin, or piano), completes their homework, eats a snack, and participates in worship every day. My role was to – get this – TEACH PIANO. The Lord is so good. He knew that desire in my heart before I ever realized it. I had no true intention to teach piano this year, but the Lord knew placing me here would give me joy and glorify His kingdom through my passion. Wow. God is so cool you guys!!!!!
August 30th. The beginning of our last ministry. UCSA. A weekend camp for 6 to 8-year-olds to learn about Jesus and His love for them. The theme was superheroes. Our goal was to instill in these little ones the importance of looking to Jesus as our superhero and Savior instead of at worldly superheroes for the joy, comfort, peace, salvation, etc. that will satisfy all their needs. Many important lessons were learned this weekend! I spent my weekend in the kitchen, helping to prepare all of the meals for the kiddos and staff. It was a weekend full of laughter, love, and community. What a special ministry.
September 2nd. Adventure day. Our hosts blessed us by taking us to Addo Elephant Park to experience an African safari. My heart was bursting with joy the whole day! We saw a whole variety of safari animals, but the best part by far was seeing several herds of elephants spend time by a watering hole. We probably saw a total of 75 elephants! I had never seen anything like that in my life. Creation is so beautiful!!
September 3rd. Adventure day #2. Another one of our hosts drove us all to Tsitsikamma National Park to hike. We started at the Bloukrans bridge where two of our girls were brave enough to bungee off the bridge! It is ranked the highest bungee jumping bridge in the world. You couldn’t have paid me enough!! We drove a little further then to the park which was on the coast, and the water was crystal blue. The scene was something you would see on a postcard! We hiked to a suspension bridge that overlooked the ocean and gave a beautiful view of the mountains. It was such a beautiful day with good friends!
September 5th. The day we left Jeffrey’s Bay to travel to Nelspruit, South Africa for our first squad debrief. A bittersweet day. This month has truly been an answered prayer. The Lord has blessed me and my team (& my squad) in ways we could never have asked or imagined! I am eternally grateful for all of the wonderful people I met, all of the connections I made, all of the ministry opportunities we were apart of, and all of the adventures we experienced. If this month is anything like how the Race will be moving forward, I know I will return to the States radically changed. And He promises me that, because the best is yet to come!! I am stoked to see how the Lord will move this next month in Zimbabwe. Bring on month TWO!
Thank you all for your continued prayers for me & my squadmates. We are experiencing the fruit of them every single day! I am so grateful for each of you.
Much love!!!
Allison
