I AM FULLY FUNDED!!!!!
I cannot even begin to express how thankful I am for all of the support I have received! It is such a blessing to be on this crazy adventure we like to call the World Race. I have learned countless lessons, witnessed situations that words cannot describe, and I have been forever changed by the people I have met. And it has only bee 5.5 months, I am so excited to see what I encounter the next 5.5 months and now thanks to your support I will be able to!
Here are some things I have been thankful for so far:
MONTH 1: Guatemala
day 2: Worship on the hostile roof , overlooking Guatemala City.
day 7: Burning the lies we believed under the starlight.
day 13: Seeing the compassion of a doctor for a little boy without a number.
day 15: Parting of the clouds on top of the volcano at Lake Atitlan.
day 18: Scrubbing into a C-Section, helping to bring new life into a dark place.
day 25: Starting my day off running to the foot of the cross in Antigua.
It's here that I started to see the church that Christ called us to be actually lived out. A church that does life together, prays together, eats together, fights together and heals together. We spent the first month with the entire squad breaking past chains and stepping more into the identity that Christ died to give us. I painted churches and buildings that are now being used as Alcoholic counseling. I prayed over malnutrition babies in the hospital, had tickle fights with giggling children in a field, helped deliver two babies and so much more.
MONTH 2: El Salvador
day 30: Waking up at 5:30 to the pitter patter of running feet with playful screams.
day 33: Praying over Manuel's failing eyes ,the doctor's concluded perfect eyesight.
day 44: Being humbled as Ceci, a disabled 8 year old, cleaned up my mess.
day 47: Quiet time under the stars; the pursuit of prayer.
day 55: Girls sleeping on the floor downstairs, just to hug us one more time at 3 am.
day 58: 24 hour Squad prayer vigil, and indescribable worship after.
It's here that I started to learn lessons in love from the most unlikely of characters. The Lord helped to break my all or nothing mentality and show me how loving Him isn't a formula and its not about following the rules, its a heart posture. We lived at Mi Casa Orphanage and even though its been 4 months since leaving, some of my heart still lives there.. I don't think I will ever get it back. I saw first hand how God takes abandoned, forgotten, & abused children out of their horrid homes and into His loving arms.
MONTH 3: NICARAGUA
day 59: Cool breeze, beautiful view, countless rocking chairs.
day 64: Having a best friend that challenges me from miles away.
day 71: "Stop fighting me & fight with Me."
day 77: Jesus showing me His individual love after my heart broke for Mariana.
day 80: A mother telling her that we taught her how to better love her children.
day 85: 52 hour travel day, divine appointments at the LA airport.
It's here that the Lord showed me the relentless pursuit that He has for my heart time and time again. My team as a whole had a month of hard refinement and it was purely exhausting yet infinitely rewarding. We lived with Anita and everyday we taught bible stories and cooked an afternoon meal for kids in the slums. We played soccer in the street, pushed joyful babies on the swings, and put together the same puzzle 100 times in a row. We also saw and were heart broken by the effects of hunger, poverty, and abuse yet encouraged by the joyful and compassionate hearts of children.
MONTH 4: PHILIPPINES
day 89: Vulnerability and intentionality on an all girls team during manual labor.
day 94: Heart check when we lost our day off– seeing my selfishness.
day 99: Sweating profusely while playing tag; toothless,shy smiles.
day 106: Photographer for a mass wedding for 18 couples; blessing the bride.
day 108: Kids drawing us goodbye love letters with chalk.
day 113: Ice cold water in a big plastic cup.
It's here that I began learning the lesson to just be. That I don't have to be doing anything to be perfectly and wholly loved by my Savior. I lived in my tent, in the middle of a displacement camp, in excruciating heat– I am not sure I ever stopped sweating the entire month. No running water, no electricity, no comforts to hide behind… raw emotions exposed, and let me tell you sometimes they were disgusting. I drew with sidewalk chalk, held naked babies, filled paperwork at the health clinic, and became a professional photographer for a wedding. These people don't have much.. but it's their lives, and I am thankful I got to live like and with them for the Christmas season.
MONTH 5: Thailand
day 115: Standing in awe of fireworks, lanterns, and life on New years Eve.
day 122: Reading love does and big dreams breakdown.
day 124: Playing 3 hours of volleyball with local university students.
day 131: Open mic night: Joy worshiping You through her elegant dance.
day 136: Sharing my story and Your love and constant presence with May.
day 140: "Don't wait for something terrible to happen to always be on your knees" wise words from SBS.
It's here that I started my new year. It was a nice test and I had all of the physical comforts that I am used to, it made me learn how important and difficult it can be to fight for true community. The Lord showed me that He has big dreams, and that He uses ordinary people to accomplish them. I played volleyball for hours a day during a university class, taught English to students, and shared life with a sweet girl named May. I lived in a place without hope, and saw my Savior fighting anyways.
MONTH 6: Malaysia
day 146: Precious email from Emma- in awe of the heart/belief of a child.
day 148: Jesus speaking crazy truth about the love story He is taking me on.
day 155: Watching fireworks explode in every direction from a city rooftop.
It's here…well that I am living right now.
All this to say THANK YOU!!! Thank you for believing in me and for giving up your own heart ,time ,and money to send me on this journey that has already forever changed me.
Our final financial deadline is March 1st and I have two teammates that still need quite a bit of support. Although we have been on the same trip, the lessons that we have learned have been vastly different from each and they have so many stories worth sharing so far…and so many more to come over the next 5.5 months. So please consider supporting them if you wanted to continue supporting me :]
Kaitlyn Keyes needs $3400
Kaitlyn is a 23 year old business woman with the heart of Christ. She selflessly serves our squad as the coordinator of finances on the logistics team, using her natural gifts to bless everyone around her. She is both driven and kind, and she fights for people in a way that shows they have worth. She encourages a heart of diligence and strength in our team.
Amanda Vanzant needs $2700
Mands is hands down one of the sweetest people I know. She has a heart that overflows of compassion and a genuine faith like a child that she shares through every smile. I have been so blessed by her and the way that she loves fully and seeks the Lord with a fever and drive that are not of this world. Her heart is for missions and to love people exactly where they are at.
(Their pictures and blogs are on an attachment on the left side and its here you can support them financially)
Thank you so much!
Love,
Abby
