Sorry for not posting in a while — it’s been a pretty eventful month or so. I have slept in about 6 or 7 different beds/seats in the past few weeks traveling Lesotho, Swaziland, South Africa, Singapore, and now Cambodia. The good Lord has been on the move and so have we. So much happened, so let me go through one country at a time.
Lesotho
We men fought to the end in our time in the Mountain Kingdom. We moved 3,000 cinderblocks (an estimated 42 tons) in the course of 2-3 weeks to help build a new orphanage. We climbed mighty Thabana Ntlenyana, which is the highest point in Southern Africa and the 3rd highest on the continent. It was a great time of celebration of our time with our hosts and those we had worked alongside in the past few months.
We also continued to share messages at the prison, hospital, soup kitchens, and local churches. We were able to see a few more people saved, proving our time had been fruitful and God had been moving! I also got to ride a horse while wearing my traditional Basotho blanket and hat. I felt like a hobbit and it felt awesome.
Swaziland
Traveling about 9-10 hours from Lesotho, through South Africa, and into Swaziland was a beautiful drive. Since the whole squad met together for travel day, I got to reconnect with the other girls on the squad after not seeing them for a couple months. After being with only men for 2 months, I realized that much my social skills with girls had depleted back to 6th grade level.
It was in Swaziland that my parents came to see me for a week. The Race sets up an opportunity for the Racer’s parents to come for one week for a “vision trip,” during which parents and racers get to do ministry together and reconnect. It was a sweet sight seeing my mom and dad after almost half a year, however it was so strange that people from my world back home had entered my world here on the mission field. I was glad they weren’t too astonished at my beard.
I got to reconnect with them over meals and coffee, go on a safari, and love many kids at a ministry that provided them a meal and place to play after school. We also had a night where parents and racers got to encourage one another and reconcile if need be. My parents wrote a letter to me that I’ll never forget — it was so full of love, affirmation, and encouragement and it really lifted my spirits.
During the squad’s free day in Swaziland, I took a risk and went white-water rafting in a river inhabited crocodiles and occasionally hippos – two of some of Africa’s deadliest animals. It was a great time and I enjoyed the good weather, beautiful mountains, and kayaking. My buddy Sam and I did great until we were annihilated by class 4 rapids and swept downstream…
South Africa
Our squad then traveled to Pretoria, South Africa’s capital, to meet up with two other squads that happened to be crossing paths on their way to different ministries or countries. One squad was Gap F, the squad I was originally on, and there I got to reconnect with all my friends — especially Jason Gebhart.
Oh, I love Jason. He’s like the peanut butter to my jelly. We’re both from Arizona and even look alike which makes it all better! We spent almost the entire three days together and spent a lot of time hammocking, reconnecting, and hanging out.
The three squads gathered for the Awakening Conference, which was designed to gather other racers from around the world to worship God, encourage one another, and get poured into by other people who came to speak. One such man was a man named Andrew, who leads a program called G42 in Spain. Even though he’s 72, he’s alive and well and one of the few of his generation deeply on fire for the Lord.
His messages were clear and simple — to follow God with everything, in everything. He refused to follow many of his age in the American Dream and saving up for the next BMW. I believe that Andrew is a pioneer of what many of my generation’s Christians will be like in their 70s: devoted, on fire, and world-changing.
Some of Andrew’s messages really stuck out to me. He said that the curse of men is silence, referencing the silence of Adam as he watched as Eve was led into sin. I was really motivated to not be silent anymore — to stand up, speak out, and not be afraid. I was affirmed in the power of a man of God and how it is my calling to fight for my loved ones and not idly watch injustice take root.
Singapore
Okay, I didn’t really go to Singapore. I had an 11 hour layover in the airport and never left. Saying I have been to Singapore is like saying I’ve gone swimming while I only put my feet in the pool. But the flight over and the time spent there were essential for preparing me for Cambodia. The flight was lit: good movie and game selection, including a game pad, complimentary toothbrush and socks, and a very nice blanket and pillow. It was extravagant.
As I was enjoying the film The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, I felt the Holy Spirit say, “Can I watch the movie with you?” The question almost brought me to tears. Of course you can, God! The simple love of God wrecked me once again. I was blown back at the presence of God in the little things and how He so clearly wanted to make Himself clear to me in every part of life.
So the next 11 hours in the airport were spent hanging out with Jesus. We went shopping, walking around, and eating. I mean Jesus didn’t buy anything, but I know He was very influential as I discussed various little purchases in the airport. One such purchase was a lit Japanese pen — very high quality of course. At first I thought it was your average multicolored pen, but then I randomly discovered it was also a MECHANICAL PENCIL. What! It was revolutionary. I felt like I was holding a James Bond gadget.
Anyway, my intimacy with Jesus was unforgettable in that place. I felt incredibly near to Him. During that time spent he helped me process the awakening conference and how Jesus was calling me into more freedom, life, and boldness during Cambodia.
I felt He was calling me into greater discipline and to speak out and not be silent.
Cambodia
So the squad safely arrived in Siem Reap, Cambodia and made it to our debrief location, a hostel owned by AIM as a sort of business as missions venture. We were welcomed into the isolated yet multi-storied hostel with a swimming pool and rooms with AC.
It was here we enjoyed debrief and got to see our squad coaches, mentor, and logistics guy. We all had a sweet time and it was very refreshing to get a break and chill out. We were also sorted into new teams!
Meet the Elephant Gang!
Karen, one of the coaches, gave a message that deeply stuck with me.
She said that in life, especially our walks with God, we must focus on training instead of trying. She said that so often we try out things like time with God, prayer, evangelism, or just any other activity in general and quit as soon as there’s a challenge. It really set everything into perspective. I feel like this also confirmed the season God has me in of learning to be increasingly disciplined in every area of my life despite obstacles.
After debrief, we started all-squad ministry in Siem Reap. We have been doing a mixture of intercession, maintenance, and evangelism (Check out Max Scheffer’s “White Signs Nicaragua and Banana Splits” blog).
We’ve seen people touched by the love of God, and it’s always the best thing telling someone who has never heard of Jesus before about Him and how He loves them dearly. I pray many people here have powerful encounters with Jesus and that more Christians will be able to share the gospel here.
So, that’s all for now. I know it was long but thanks for reading!
I leave for Kampong Cham, Cambodia on the 25th for 8 weeks. Please keep me and the team in prayer as we start our new ministry there!
Blessings,
Brandon
