It has been three months since my arrival back in the land of constant communication, freedom to be alone at a coffee shop, and most importantly, the option to choose whole grains & salmon over fried fatty meat, white rice, and sugar.
Just kidding…family and friends!
Re-entry was all sorts of weird and I sometimes felt like a baby deer learning how to walk. But falling. A lot.
Eventually, I got my footing thanks to some love from solid friends, encouragement from family, and a warm welcome home from supporters.
While the adjustment has settled, there are still some pieces of myself that I’m refusing to let fall back into the same old familiar place they were before the race.
I came home, decided there was no possible way I could be moved the immense way I was in Tacloban, helping with Typhoon Yolanda disaster relief, and not apply to grad school to learn more about global health.
So that is my plan!
(If I get accepted…) To put this reborn compassion to good use and start school in the fall to earn my Masters in Public Health with a specialty in Environmental and Occupational Health.
To make the most of the in-between* (Jeff Goins anyone?), I’m living in Atlanta for the next 4 months, participating in a discipleship/apprenticeship program called The Center for Global Action. I’m living with fellow world race alumni, working on a sustainable farm for refugees from all over the world, participating in business classes and leadership labs with a focus on entrepreneurship, and doing outreach with an ministry set out to put an end to sex trafficking called Out of Darkness.
I love life. Seriously.
I wake up and thank God for sending me here, and that these people I’m living with make me laugh every day and how we already feel like family after just one month. We even made snow-pacalypse fun! (#1 and #2!)
My apprenticeship is way more than I bargained for and more evidence that Atlanta is just where God wants me right meow. I thought I was simply going to learn about the business/engineering side of sustainable farms, but instead I get to do all of that, while also loving on families from all over the world. We visit their houses, learn from them, eat their wonderfully spicy food, share Bible stories and pray for them.
With every step into their homes, I honestly feel like I walk into a time warp and travel back to the World Race and visit their country with them. This week I have traveled to Nepal, Burma, Thailand, Burundi, and India. (Well not physically… but you get the idea).
The business classes are a pleasant surprise as well. Considering business was my minor in college, I wasn’t expecting to acquire too much information. But it has been 2 weeks of classes and I am already learning new things. Not to mention our business track leaders here in Atlanta make us feel like the coolest thing since sliced bread.
They taught me that no matter how insignificant or small the responsibility, do it with excellence. CGA is a side project for them; they all have other jobs with different companies, but they make us their number one priority when they are with us.
I’m seeing the body of Christ in full force.
Those who are gifted in connecting people with their passions, were able to find us top notch apprenticeships. Those who are passionate about empowering people to find their calling, are instructing me. My mentor has a huge heart for our generation after being a World Race contact in Costa Rica for two years, and is disciplining me. I’m witnessing how when we all fully realize and act on the gifts God has given us to serve others, life works out much smoother.
God is good. And America isn’t scary… anymore.
[The Center for Global Action is a part of Adventures in Missions, and therefore all donations are tax-deductible. I am here until mid-May and need to raise $1,600 more to cover discipleship classes, rent, etc. If you are looking for somewhere to send your tax-deductible donations, or just want to give a little bit…give a little bit of your love to me, I would greatly appreciate your support. Thank you!]
