At training and throughout launch, the staff at Adventures in Missions (AIM) stressed not having any expectations on the world race. To be honest, I think that’s impossible. However, I am working on not having expectations now that I’m here. I don’t expect our ride to be on time. I don’t expect my tent to be leak-proof. I don’t expect to like every meal (though they actually really have been pretty good!) I don’t expect to always get enough sleep. I don’t expect to always be happy with the decisions.
But, there have been so many things I didn’t expect, but there have been so many things I did expect.
I expected to be worried about fundraising. I expected to always love my ministries with kids. I expected to want tons of alone time. I definitely still have expectations.
God is continually showing me that He does things I don’t expect.
I didn’t expect to have to “Choose In” at the orphanage.
I love kids. My heart breaks for orphans. I was SUPER excited when I found out we were going to be at an orphanage for ministry our first month. I didn’t expect to be exhausted, to crave alone time. And to want time away from the kids. But, that’s what happened. Each day, I had to learn to “Choose in,” to choose to spend time with the kids, to choose joy when I did dishes for the third time that day, to choose to love and put a smile on my face during the 57th game of jacks. Now, don’t get me wrong- these kids are AMAZING and BEAUTIFUL and I LOVE THEM! But, I did fail so often this week to Choose in and Choose joy. I am so thankful that God gives me new chance each and every day to start over and choose in.
I didn’t expect the Guatemalans to wash my feet.
Last Sunday, we had the incredible opportunity to go to a Guatemalan church service. The worship was amazing and it was beautiful to praise the Lord with others, as they sang in Spanish and we sang in English. One of the other teams had planned a foot washing ceremony because Guatemalans often feel inferior to Americans. They spent time during the service washing the people’s feet. What we didn’t expect was for the Guatemalans to then take over and wash our feet. How humbling it was!
I didn’t expect to be fully funded already!
When I came on the race, I didn’t doubt that I would be fully funded in time; however, I didn’t expect to be fully funded 2 weeks into the race! God is good and you, my sponsors, are amazing! Thank you so much!
I didn’t except Australia to be taken off our route.
That’s right, I will no longer be going to Australia. It was a little disappointing initially, though I think I was also somewhat relieved after hearing stories of bugs and ticks and deadly spiders and snakes! So, instead of going to Australia in January, we will be going to Thailand (unless that changes again- I mean, come on. This is the World Race! Anything can happen!) We will also be going to Nicaragua instead of Honduras in November and I have absolutely no idea where we will be going in March (the month we were supposed to go to Thailand)!
I’m learning to hold loosely to the information I have and depend on God to work everything out. After all, His plan is better than any plan I (or anyone else) could make!
( I was going to post pictures, but they won't upload! Pictures to come at a later date!!!!)
