We have made it! Our last month of the race. It is unbelievable that we are here, that almost a year has past since we last saw America. We have had a full year of incredible experiences. Some that are full of joy and some that have been hard. God has been so faithful through it all and we are beyond thankful for His presence in our lives each and every day.
And believe me when I say that the only thing that has kept us thriving is His presence. We spent more hours in buses that I ever want to know, had no idea what our schedule looks like, preached without expecting it, struggled through Spanish, and slept in more places than I could count. This year has been the absolute best, but we are tired!
Exhaustion is something that I wasn’t expecting to hit us so hard, but it is so real at this point in the race. My body and mind are so tired of the continual changes. Changes in food, climate, altitude, beds, languages, cultures, people. We wake up and are tired, eat lunch and are tired, go to bed tired. But through it all we are still seeing God work through us each day. We are watching Him give us energy when we don’t have it and provide us with words to say when we feel like we don’t have any.
In our final month we are in Colombia, the busy city of Medellin. Colombia is a beautiful country, filled with rich culture and a strong belief that their soccer team will win the World Cup. But just like anywhere, it struggles with the temptations of the world. Part of our ministry here has been evangelizing to the homeless and to people on the streets. It has been amazing to see how God uses just a little bit of courage and a whole lot of faith.
Last Wednesday night we went downtown with a big pot of hot chocolate and a bag full of bread to give to the homeless. We just started walking around and when we saw someone with all their belongings sitting on the sidewalk and we walked up to them and offered them food. They always happily accepted it and we would ask them if they knew who Jesus is. Most of the time they would say yes, but sometimes they would have no idea who we were talking about. It is so exciting to talk to people about Him! To share of His love for them and how He has a plan of redemption for them. We were able to pray for many people, but the last man we met impacted me the most.
We had one cup of hot chocolate left and we found a man laying under a tarp next to a chain-link fence. Honestly, he looked like he was barely alive. He was so skinny and dirty and could barely open his eyes. Hungrily he grabbed at the cup and bread and told us that he had been beaten up. As a result, he had a lot of pain in his leg and couldn’t move very well. We started telling him about Jesus and asked if he wanted to accept Him into his life. He agreed, and we prayed the salvation prayer with him – which was such a moment of joy! But God had even more for him. We asked him if he wanted us to pray for his hurt leg and we prayed for healing. After we finished, he said the pain in his leg was gone!
God is so good and so faithful!
It was incredible to see God work a physical miracle, but even greater was seeing Him work in this man’s heart. In these moments, the exhaustion disappears, and I am filled with wonder at how God has allowed me to be a part of bringing His Kingdom to earth. He fills up our bodies with energy and our minds with His words so that we can invite people into knowing who their Creator is. And that is what makes it all worth it. The days where I’m so excited to go home, eat a bowl of cereal, take a hot shower, and sleep in a comfy bed, I must remember why I am here. Not for my own benefit but for the benefit of the Kingdom of God. I have said YES to Him and in return He has allowed me to see lives changed through the power of Jesus. Home is right around the corner, but until then I will be filled by Him and have open arms to continue to share His great love.
“Look among the nations and see; wonder and be astounded.
For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.”
Habakkuk 1:5
