I have been off the field since August. Throughout my race I meet around the world. Each ministry is special and have great things happening because of them, but through it all there was ONE place I didn’t want to be, and it became the ONE place that was the hardest to leave.
That place was Honduras, the ministry, Zion’s Gate in Tegucigalpa. Initially I didn’t want to be there because it meant my squad wouldn’t go to El Salvador, it meant I wasn’t close to my family, AND it meant I had to be with all my squadmates at once (not the easiest for an introvert like me).
In Honduras with Ariel and Cristopher.
But has I have written in prior blogs, the ministry there was amazing. And well, needless to say, I fell in LOVE. Now this is not the kind of love you might be thinking, being go-go-ga-ga over some guy, no, this was real love. Love for the kids taken in by Tony and Nidia to live at Zion’s Gate.
Boys of all ages, all backgrounds, but with one thing in common, the will to change their lives for the better through Jesus Christ. Each of these are special, and are continually learning, they aren’t perfect but no one is. I love each one of them.
Photo by Cassie Schott
But why am I bringing this all up again? Immediately after Thanksgiving Day, I went to El Salvador. I absolutely love it there and enjoy my time with family as well as friends.
Knowing that I was close to Zion’s Gate I wanted to see them again, but I was not sure how.. A semi-long story short, God provided through other Z Squadders the opportunity for Cristopher Lanza and Tony to come to El Salvador!
With Cristopher and Tony at Los Chorros in El Salvador.
From Saturday to Tuesday, Tony and Cristopher spent everyday with my family. We ate, laughed, and explored the country with them.
Simply stated my family became their family.
Cristopher with my cousins and I at a lakeside bonfire!
Cristopher and Tony having lunch with my Daddy.
Cristopher and Tony having dessert with my Mommy.
We had a blessed time together; Tony had the opportunity to speak at our local church and for the first time ever Cristopher gave his testimony in front of a church.
So my encouragement to World Race Alumni, current racers, and future racers:
Keep loving the people you met along the way. Don’t forget them, you can continue to have an impact even when you are “off the field”. It doesn’t matter if you have the title of “World Racer” or “missionary”, you have the title of a Christian.
Go and love. Be reunited.
Cristopher says we're cousins. We look alike, don't we?
Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
 And what does the Lord require of you?
 To act justly and to love mercy
 and to walk humbly with your God.
