Dear Friends/family/supporters, you have my apologies for not posting as often as I used to. there's only so much I can do without the use of my trusty laptop and reliable internet. 
Thanks so much for understanding.
that being said, I am where I never thought I would be. not geographically, of course. I knew we were coming to Nicaragua eventually, but to be honest, when I looked at my World Race route, it seemed like such a distant reality…which somehow made it seem less of a reality. but here we are.
I've got to say, though, I never thought I'd be here. Month 10 of 11, close enough to see the end, but not quite there…and actually wanting it to come faster. I never thought I would see the day that I would want the World Race to be over. now, let's be clear…I don't want it to be over today, or tomorrow, or next week. but, by the grace of God, I will be ready to say goodbye to it when the time comes.
it has been a crazy 10 months. somewhere in the middle of it, though, it became life. passport stamps and crazy food and cold showers and sleeping on the ground and unknown languages ceased to be out-of-the-ordinary or new or exciting, and while it is no less beautiful…it's a different beauty than it was at first. the sparkle has worn off, the colors have dulled, but the wonder goes deeper.
the fact is, it is still an incredible privilege to live this life. it is still a blessing beyond blessings to see these places and know these people. and the fact that I did so little to earn it and am indebted to the generosity of so many humbles me speechless. you have my undying gratitude.
All that being said, some days I don't feel privileged. some days the wonder is lost on my dim eyes, so nearsighted and aching to see the end. some days I cry in frustration because community isn't what I thought it was going to be and ministry wasn't what I imagined and Jesus seems so far away. this is not where I thought I would be 10 months in. I didn't expect it to look so messy and hard. I ache for the arms of people who I haven't seen in what seems like forever. I long for home(without really knowing where "home" is.)
I've often heard the World Race described as the "hardest, best" year of people's lives(so far). as of now, I can attest to the hard. I'll get back to you on the best.
What I can tell you is that God is indeed moving ALL over the world. and though more often than not He seems farther away than ever, I choose to believe that I'm closer to Him than I've ever been. the wonder of it all is that in the hard, in the messy, and in the uncomfortable…He's there.
He's here.
Thank you for sharing the wonder with me.
-Anna
