Yes, the title doesn’t lie…I packed my bags after one month in the beautiful Costa Rica and headed for the U.S.
Was it the mission work I had to do? Was it the ministry? Was it the hosts? Was it my squad? Was it my team? No…
It wasn’t any of these things. My hosts were amazing. My team was finally coming together and acting like sisters. The ministry wasn’t that strenuous and most of the time involved kids that wanted so much to tell you everything loudly and in Spanish. The accommodations were pretty snazzy for the World Race. Bunk beds in an open air house in a cute little Costa Rican town. Only a few minutes walk from a store that sold coke in a bottle for less than a dollar. There was also an internet cafe across the street.
So what made me quit? What made me pack my bags when I had set out on an 11 month journey determined to not to quit?
It was a death. A death that would shake me to the core.
One of the most influential people in my life left this earth to be with Jesus and I just wasn’t ready for it. Nobody really is.
He wasn’t even the one I was super concerned about. My grandmother had broken her hip 2 days before launch but she seems to be on the slow road to recovery.
It hit like a ton of bricks on a freight train going a 100 mph on a straight a way.
It took me the better part of 24 hours to touch down in Birmingham. Apparently Costa Rica is a hard country to leave. 1 car ride. 1 tram. 2 buses. 3 planes. 3 countries. 4 airports. To touch down in Birmingham to where a sight for sore eyes picked me up.
I wasn’t even going to call my mom that night I found out but my gut told me too.
I cried in an internet cafe twice. I busted into tears in San Jose airport when I figured out that my plane ticket that I purchased that very morning had indeed not been purchased for San Jose, Costa Rica but San Jose California.
That poor Priceline lady didn’t know what to say when she said that there would be an extra fee to rebook the flight for the next day. She just didn’t understand that tomorrow was not good enough and $300 extra was just down right crazy. I tried not to be impolite. I told her just too cancel the mistake and that I would indeed get right on using the internet to re book. Really? the internet? yeah uh huh I’ll get right on that.
Thankfully there was a person in the U.S. who kept their cool and got me a ticket to ride by the way of Guatemala and Houston, Texas.
I sat in the Guatemala airport for approx 9 hours overnight where no one spoke English and all of my electronic devices had long run out of juice except for my kindle. I found the only lady that spoke fluent English. She told me where to sit and where to go in the morning. I wish I could send her a thank you note. Like seriously. She told me not to leave the airport and that it probably wasn’t a great idea to try and find a hotel.
Houston airport was where I had my first fried chicken and Dr Pepper in 20 something days. It was like heaven smiled.
After all the hustle and bustle to get back my granddaddy had an amazing send off. A complete Masonic ceremony and taps played just as a train went by.
I was only given a week before AIM wanted me back and less than 24 hours to decide on whether I was going to re-join my squad before the debrief in the next country.
Every fiber of my being was conflicted. I was called on a mission from God but he sent me home. The words should I stay or should I go now frequently played in my head. I felt that a week was just too short.
I didn’t sleep much that night. I debated back and forth with family and friends.
I wanted so badly to be able to have a clear cut answer. Like it spelled out or something. It was kinda in a way. I knew I was to stay. Why? Only the good Lord knows. Maybe it was because my momma needed me state side to keep her sanity after losing her father and having to care for her mom. or maybe it was God saying I have something different for you. Or maybe it was because another person needed me here more. Or maybe I have a different mission all together and I was only suppose to be gone for a little while.
But who am I to question the all powerful all knowing God of the universe? I can’t. All I know is that 1 week wasn’t enough. Not for this southern girl where families are tighter than fat man squeeze at Rock city.
He’s gone but never ever ever forgotten. I will forever remember his smile and the way he truly cared about his family. How he always looked so very happy when we went camping. He would sit for hours under the awning of the camper watching me ride my bike around the camp ground. He waved every single time. He always had a story to tell to anyone who would listen.
He was married for 67 years. Had 2 daughters. 3 granddaughters. 3 great grandsons. Served in WW2. Served in the Air Force and the Navy for 32 years.
If I ever become half as good or even a third of the man. The Legend. I will have accomplished much.
So, I really didn’t quit. I was just re routed. To home. To somewhere I belong. To the people I love. To somewhere I didn’t appreciate.
He’s still at work. He didn’t stop when I touched down in Birmingham.
I’ve found a new church to attend that I really enjoy. I’ve got a new small group I’m going to check out this week. I might join and volunteer with youth group. I’m going to Thailand in May…
Oh yeah. I’m going to THAILAND in May. AIM is going to let me re-appropriate the funds raised so that I can go on a short term trip.
I may have left the World Race but my race isn’t over yet. The adventure has just begun….
*****X-squad and Team Unwritten you guys are still on my heart and my mind every day. I love you guys. I so proud to watch your updates. You guys are doing big things!
