Hi family and friends!
I am officially in my 6th month on the World Race! That means my time traveling the globe is almost halfway done…I can’t believe how quickly the time has gone. Each month has presented it’s own challenges, but there have been many more celebrations along the way.
Since I’ve reached the halfway point, I thought I would re-cap what The Lord has been doing in me throughout the past six months, some highlights from each month, and what I still need to finish out the Race! I hope you’ve enjoyed sharing this journey so far!
NEPAL:
Nepal was an awesome first month on the race. I probably couldn’t have dreamt of a better first month! Our team, team |undefined|, worked alongside team Gladiators with TamiAsia. We trekked for a week in the Himalayan foothills, reaching villages and their churches; we worked at the WARM center, where women at risk took adult literacy classes, learned English, and trained to become tailors, handicraft makers, and beauticians; we taught children who lived in the Hindu slums along the river at the TARA School, and; ministered to street children through football (soccer) and feeding programs. We were so blessed to work with our ministry hosts, who loved us so well! They truly showed us what it means to pour love into ministry!
INDIA:
In India we worked with Indian Christian Ministries (ICM) as an entire squad (a.k.a. “All Squad Month”). Different teams did different ministries, but our team worked specifically on construction around the home building and village outreach. India was, for me, a challenging month, but also a month where I truly began to see for the first time the Lord’s healing power and the identity He has assigned to me from the beginning of time as His royal daughter.
THAILAND:
Month three was spent in Thailand working with YWAM and it’s many ministry partners throughout the country. Team |undefined| stayed in Chanthaburi with quite possibly the most enthusiastic pastor I have ever met! With Pastor Ekachi’s help, we taught English to various kids around the province, lead home church groups, and assisted in giving messages during Sunday services. We even got to ride elephants and see some of Thailand’s beautiful natural landscape (lots of waterfalls) on our days “off!” If you have been following my blog, you might have seen that the Lord began to present a glimpse of what the future may look like. I have officially been accepted for a Discipleship Training School (DTS) with YWAM in Perth, Australia called “Priceless,” which trains in anti-trafficking awareness, advocacy, and outreach. I also hope to attend YWAM Perth’s Birthing Attendant School (after completing the DTS), which trains Godly midwives for the missionary field! YAY! for more missions work!
CAMBODIA:
Our last month in Asia was spent in Cambodia! Team |undefined| worked with an organization in Kampong Thom where we lived alongside children who lived at their “Children’s Home,” loving them and teaching them English. We also spent some ministry time traveling to surrounding villages to play with other children who are part of a pre-school and feeding program. Our team also led a small Bible Study and taught English to high school students from the church! The Lord really stretched me and continued to challenge my trust in Him to grow.
SWAZILAND:
While switching to a new continent, we also switched up other things as well with Team Changes! All teams got tweaked a bit, and I found myself on a new co-ed team, which we called Intrepidus, which is Latin for “fearless” or “unshaken.” Our month of ministry was spent in Manzini working with the Adventures in Missions (AIM) office there. I worked with a Care Point, which is a pre-school and feeding center for underprivileged children while others worked on various agriculture projects and with a hospice in town. My month in Swaziland really reawakened my journey of trust with God, taught me a lot about “die to self,” and rekindled my curiosity for the Holy Spirit.
SOUTH AFRICA:
Coming to South Africa, we had yet another team change since this month is “Manistry Month” (all twelve men on our squad come together as an all-male team to do ministry with one another). My current team is an all-female team called Team XX (or Lade Gherkins). We have had such an amazing opportunity here to connect with teens in the church and help the staff during this busy holiday season with Christmas outreaches. We are only nine days into actual ministry here and we already know saying goodbye is going to be difficult because we have made such lasting and authentic relationships here.
FUNDING UPDATE:
My next and final Financial Deadline is approaching quickly on the 1st of the New Year! I am currently at $11,888.68 out of $16,263.75. That means I still need to raise $4,375.07 to finish out the rest of the Race! I am so grateful for all of your support, both financially and spiritually! I know God has crossed our paths for a reason! With the upcoming deadline I continue to ask that you support in any way possible, whether through finances or prayers for provision! I know the Lord will provide!
So thank you so much for your support and prayers! I truly look forward to continuing to share my adventure with the Lord with you!
