I am nearly to the halfway mark of my incredible journey on the World Race. I have seen and done so many things that in seems like it should have been six years instead of six months ago that I left home. Yet in a way it feels like it was just yesterday I was having lunch on the beach with my new team in Fort Lauderdale. In this crazy whirlwind of Godly madness it is sometimes easy to forget why we are here. I know, I am on one of the most extreme mission trips you can Google, however I can become so focused on what I am doing and completely forget why God has done and who He is.
I serve the God of the universe, even when I am not living out of my tent in a third world country. He parted the Red Sea, He rained down fire from Heaven, He fed 5,000 people with a little boy’s lunchbox. He is the very same God that I talk to every day.
In the Old Testament after God does something amazing for His people, they are usually commanded to do something that will help them to remember how God has provided for them. After God parted the Jordan River so the Israelites could cross over the promise land on dry ground, God commanded that Joshua construct a pile of stones so that every time they came back to that place they would remember what God has done. This helps us to keep a humble and thankful heart, so here is my own pile of stones to remember how awesome my God is.
Stone #1: In August I stepped out in faith when God told me to go on The World Race. God has provided eveything I could ever need.
Stone # 2: I gave my first sermon on the second Sunday of my race. Even though I felt like I was going to throw up, God gave me unexplainable peace as I stepped up to the pulpit and I conquered one of my biggest fears that day. Two weeks later I gave my second sermon and a man came forward and gave his life to Christ. God’s power is made perfect in my weaknesses.
Stone# 3: I was able to pray for a man as he rededicated his life to Jesus and recommitted himself to his wife and three children. This was several hours after his friend was killed in a bar fight. You can bring glory to God in all situations.
Stone # 4: In Tegucigalpa, Honduras I visited the bedridden Grandmother of some of the street children I had come to know. She was drinking the IV medicine that the hospital had given her and had no food or water. After Bethany, who is a nurse, was able to get her the right medication she was up doing laundry after two days’ time and was able to care for her grandchildren again. God cares for His children.
Stone #5: I was given the opportunity to give a Bible study in a detention center for street children. We were the first mission group they allowed in the facility. I talked to the girls about the story of Queen Esther and look them in the eye and told them how beautiful they are. God’s words transcend walls and barbed wire.
Stone #6: A little boy in Los Pinos, one of the most dangerous and violent communities in the world, threw his arms around my neck and would not let go for an hour and a half. I will never forget the tears running down his face when we finally drove away. I still pray for him often. Sometimes we will not know if things will be okay, but we must have faith that God can change lives even without our help.
Stone # 7: I watched as God changed the life of a man in the streets of Granada, Nicaragua right before my eyes. Moses was a cocaine addict living on the streets until he asked us to pray over him. Five minutes later he was completely sober telling us his testimony with tears running down his face, begging God to change his life. In the next three weeks he got a job, an apartment and was attending church twice a week. God’s power is real.
Stone #8: I was able to accompany a prostitute in Thailand to the local Christian book store to buy her first Thai Bible. She accepted Jesus the day before and was moved to tears by the love she received. Jesus’ love is what changes lives.
Stone # 9: I can see God working in the broken nation of Cambodia and healing many tragedies. My team and I are able to preach and give our testimonies to a church of about 50 young people in a nation that is only 2% Christian. God's hope prevails over all things.
Stone # 10: God has provided $13,500 for my race, an amount that was incomprehensible six months ago. God is not contained by impossible things.
I still need $2000 by July 1st, or I will not be able to go to Africa. I am so thankful for those who have donated, you are God’s incredible gift to me, and I know I am not on this journey alone. I know God will provide, but He loves to use people to answer prayers. If you feel lead to give, or know someone who might be interested in donating, please spread the word! I know there are many people who have said they would like to donate but have not yet…time is running out! Thank you all for your love and support I can’t tell you how much it means to me.
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