It’s been one year since I fell in love with a group of people that changed my life, and the course of what the rest of it will look like. One year ago I signed up for this crazy, radical, and spontaneous journey around the world with everything I own in one bag. ONE YEAR! So much can happen in a year.
In a year we have done more manual labor than I’ll more than likely ever do again. We have taught more English than I would have liked to teach. Seriously, when you travel the world as an American, people say “Oh you’re American, you can teach English!” Ummm where on earth did you hear that? I can’t even spell that great. It’s so bad I’m not sure how I passed English and my vocab is more like slang. I mean I quote movies (by movies I mean Rush Hour) and say things like “fity million dollas, who you think you kidnapped, Chelsea Clinton?” in a very Chris Tucker voice. Now I’m teaching kids who can’t speak English? Let’s just say many kids now think English is in a Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan’s voice. Sorry Asia.
I could tell you about Christmas being so good, I could make you think you’re being born in a manger. Twenty nights of Christmas parties in Thailand are to thank for that. Lifehouse skit? Puhlease. I’ll do it in my sleep.
I have a whole new outlook on hunger, death, starvation, and poverty. You don’t need to travel the world for those things, but for some reason God chose to let me experience it around the world. I’m sure it will stand out a bit more in the states now!
More than all that though, I’ve seen some stuff and heard some stuff. I’ve seen people at their breaking point, then freed from some pretty crazy stuff. I’ve heard the Lord speaking through people, or my own spirit. Heard the cries of people who are hungry for God and tired of the life they live. I’ve seen people healed and heard people begin to speak the language God’s given them. Yes I’m a radical Christian, who totally believes in speaking in tongues, and who encourages others to do the same! I’ve seen more poverty than I thought was in the world. Most encouraging, I’ve seen people live out their Christian faith and not just talk about it.
However, the biggest change though all year was the one I saw take place in me. I finished something for the first time in life. I mean I didn’t have a choice when it came to high school. Everything after that I let fall apart and honestly just didn’t care about much. But now, oh boy now, I’m a new person on fire for a God who speaks to me and loves me. I have vision and values! When I left for the race I was a 23 year old child, I’m coming home a 24 year old woman. There are plans set in place for when I get home. Plans that will be taken seriously, not just talked about, but accomplished.
Here is my one year vision. I am believing for all these things to come to pass by August 1st, 2015. If I finished the World Race, I can do anything. The dream to travel the world was a very small one and one I think many have. It was so small I never gave it a second thought. Do you see what God did with my smallest dream??? I can only imagine what he will do with the big ones! 🙂
I WILL be diligent about spending time in The Lords presence!
I WILL be a shining light in my workplace, where salvation will be brought!
I WILL get out of debt!
I WILL stay single and focus only on The Lord!
I WILL buy my very own car!
I WILL mentor someone!
I WILL make my bed everyday… Heheh this is just a practice I wish I did.
I now know I have it in me to be exactly who I want to be and to have what I want to have. I have a God who will do the impossible once I take responsibility! I’m not going home to much, but the fruit of my labor will be undeniable in just a short season!
So, you can run and tell that! 🙂
