It seems like it was two weeks ago that I left the World Race. I still refer to myself as being in the re-entry process. I’m shocked when I count the months since we’ve been home. Eight. Eight whopping months…and then I realize that 8 is definitely more than half a year and I find myself in a stupor musing, “More than half a year already?? What have I done with all that time?”
The World Race always seemed to be packed with meaningful things-walking into barrios and praying healing over people, packing up a flatbed truck with 120 lb. bags of food to feed starving refugees, holding orphans and showing love to those who need it most, sitting with prostitutes showering them with love and words of affirmation. Being in such striking circumstances really provides the time to pull the best out of you. 
You’re challenged and given an opportunity to be the will of God in people’s lives. You affect people’s lives with your words and your actions, however small they are-an arm on a widow’s shoulder and a smile shows care and love, swinging orphans around and around and around again bring squeals of delight. These are the things I remember with such great detail. It seems like yesterday.
You’re challenged and given an opportunity to be the will of God in people’s lives. You affect people’s lives with your words and your actions, however small they are-an arm on a widow’s shoulder and a smile shows care and love, swinging orphans around and around and around again bring squeals of delight. These are the things I remember with such great detail. It seems like yesterday.
And then I think about what I was actually doing yesterday…and all the yesterdays that are contained in the last 8 months and I’m almost surprised at how similar they are to some of the “World Race” things I did. I’ve seen revival here-I’ve prayed for people’s bodies in the US and seen them healed. I’ve spent time giving out food to those in need at our local soup kitchen. I’ve swung little kids around too, whether they are my friend’s newest additions to the family or at risk kids from the projects (you get the same squeal either way!) I’ve lived in relationship with people in intentional community just like the World Race. We share. We pray. We want our own space. We make accommodations for others. We play. We give. We love.
Eight months have gone by and I’m still learning to love. Things don’t change that drastically when you’re off the race if you really think about it. Sure, circumstances are different and your surroundings may be much less dire, but there is always the opportunity to love, to give of yourself, and to be Jesus to those in need. North America needs the love of God too! Amen?!
So that’s it, I’ve spent these last 8 months loving my fellow Americans and seeking God and allowing him to show me how to love. Places change, but He does not. Here’s to the next 8 months wherever that may take me!
(for info on just where that may be read my next post here) J
