Tomorrow we will be in INDIA! It’s crazy to think we are already into our fourth month…second country! I can’t even put into words about my whole experience in Ecuador. It was challenging but in the most beautiful way. I was taken out of my comfortable zone but that’s exactly what I needed to see what Jesus was wanting to do in my heart. He showed me a lot about myself and my worth in Him. I was so consumed by this world and getting approval from it, but Jesus broke that and I found my true purpose and freedom in Him, but it’s definitely still a process. Often times people ask why? Why follow Jesus? Why not don’t you follow and do things like the rest of the world? Reality is Christians aren’t called to the same life as this world, and if we were then there would be no point to a God. Let me explain. Since giving my life completely to Jesus (last April) I’ve dealt with fitting in with my old life before Jesus because it was so easy to follow everyone else and I still deal with it, but Jesus is showing me that I don’t need certain things anymore not because God says to, but because He loved me in my complete brokenness. He never asked me to give things up, but showed me that His love is more desirable and a constant rather than alcohol and people. So it’s not that I am some programmed robot, rather He gives us the choice. The choice for us to try Him out and give Him control and for Him to absolutely blow our blinds. Following Jesus hasn’t made me boring, rather I live a life more exciting and adventure filled because of Him, and that’s because I’m no longer stuck in an everyday life as to what the world calls us to. I wouldn’t even be here in the airport of Amsterdam writing this if it weren’t true.
Over the past three months He’s shown me His true identity and how I think in a way I had been looking at this false identity of who He is for so long. Our God is alive. This term is used so often in the Christian community. Yet, do most of us truly believe that and live in the authority of the Holy Spirit? I don’t think so. When Christians say we have a living God I don’t think it’s used to the full extent. We have a living God because He defeated death. He defeated the uttermost thing that can destroy us, but because He defeated Satan He can longer have the hold of sadness and darkness on us. Our God is living because He heals people and shows them their worth in Jesus. He is living because not only does He heal physically but He speaks to us. He is living because He gave us His Spirit and said we would do far greater things than Jesus did because of the authority He’s given us. These sat three months in Ecuador have shown me the depths of the heart of Jesus, and I can’t wait for Him to show me even more.
I know that I can’t fix the problems in the world and that’s just inevitable, but what I can do is give people the hope that this world isn’t forever nor the end. Rather, there is the light at the end of the tunnel and we have a God that is insanely in love with us, despite the pain we are going through. Clothing, homes, food, water, etc. don’t last forever. They give happiness for a certain amount of time and then poof it’s gone. Just like on Christmas Day, you get so hyped for all the presents and once you receive them the excitement goes away after ten minutes. Jesus isn’t like that. He’s a constant high that never goes away. Everyday He shows me more of His heart for His children.
By the end of January I need all my money raised. I am so incredibly grateful for the money that has been given to me. I’ve made it this far and I know this is exactly where I need to be right now. I would love to continue the race. Will you consider donating and making it so I can continue? Thank you for all that you have given me this far. It means so much to me and I wish I could give each and every one of you a hug! I need $2,505 left. You can go to brookehorton.theworldrace.org to donate. Thank you!
Love, Brooke
