Here I am. It’s happening. I am officially on The World Race.
We spent the first 2 days on airplanes, flying from Atlanta to Chicago, then to Qatar, Kolkata, and finally Imphal. From Imphal we took an hour and a half bus ride to a village called Sielmat in Churachandpur, Manipur, India. It is here in Sielmat and the surrounding villages where we will be doing our ministry for the month.
We’ve spent these first weeks doing various ministry around the village. Each team has been assigned a local to serve as our liaison for the month. Our liaison’s name is Sawmpek. Last week he shared something that the Lord has been bringing up to him since we’ve gotten here. He explained how out of all the people in the world, how incredible it is that God has chosen us to be His instruments and use us to bless the people in this place.
I couldn’t help but think of all the people that surround me. How each of us were predestined to go on The World Race {Ephesians 4:1-16}. We were supposed to meet each other. The God of Heaven and Earth knew the choices we would be making and the people we would be meeting along the way. Each of us here has made the choice to go; to leave our comforts behind and embark on the most incredible journey of our life. And now here we are beginning to live out the calling the Lord has placed on each of our hearts.
However, we didn’t get here on our own. We all have a story. We all have parents, friends, and loved ones we left behind. We all have individuals in our lives who helped us make a choice to get here and helped make that choice possible.
So, this one’s for you – the ones who influenced me to have the courage to do this crazy thing called The World Race and made all of it possible.
Thank you for your support from the very beginning. When I said I was going to go away for 11 months, travel to 11 different countries, preach the Gospel, and live out of a backpack – you were skeptical of the journey, but you believed in me. You believed that God would give me the strength and resources to complete this journey, and you did everything you could to help.
Thank you for your unfailing encouragement during the preparation period of this adventure. There were so many unknowns but you stood by my side and helped me work through all of them. You lifted me up on the days my spirits were low and I felt discouraged. You helped me to find peace and comfort on the days I was stressed and overwhelmed.
Thank you for your financial support. To some of you I am a friend, to others I’m a complete stranger. No matter our relationship you generously gave because you believe in this journey. You believe in me. And most importantly you believe in the power of the gospel. Your generosity has allowed me to fulfill the Great Commission and for that I have no words to describe my gratitude.
Thank you for your continued support and encouragement during this journey. On the hard days I’ll remember you at home, cheering me on from many miles away.
I pray that this year will stretch and grow you as much as it does me. I pray that this year will bring you joy. That you will learn to find joy in the little things. I pray that your heart will break when you see the things that break God’s heart. I pray that you grow in your faith and learn to trust beyond reason. I pray that you cherish relationships. That you learn to slow down and get to know the people God has put in your life – from the ones you love most to the stranger you always run into at the coffee shop. I pray for peace and strength as you trek through difficult times. I pray that you open your heart and experience all the blessings God has in store for you this year.
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
–Numbers 6:24-26
