I’m now 3 hours into a 27 hour bus ride. I spent last night in an airport after 17 hours of flight time; having flown from Malaysia to South Africa. We are now driving from South Africa into Namibia.
Have I mentioned how much I love road trips?
I freakin LOVE road trips.
I’m sitting in remarkable comfort, watching the South African countryside roll by. It’s beautiful. I no longer have 80-90% humidity pressing in on me. The dry heat and view from my window both remind me of home. The terrain here is quite similar to sweet-home Yakima, and second-home Yuma.
As I enter my sixth month on the Race, it’s comforting to be in a place that feels like home, and extra awesome to be on yet another continent.
Team Empowered arrives in Namibia tomorrow morning. Our mission: finding new ministry sites for future World Race teams. I’m THRILLED to be UH (Unsung Heroes) again! I have a good feeling about this month; I really believe we will be successful in finding new ministries to partner with AIM.
This new leg of the journey has me contemplating many things. Time is going by so fast. After five months in Asia, it’s easy to see how fast a mere three months will be in Africa. Followed by just 3 more months in the Caribbean. The second half of my trip will be over so soon. And then I will be home. With new vision and ideas to bring to the home table.
Part of me also wonders if I will continue the Race after Africa. I still haven’t reached the $11,000 that I was supposed to have by Oct 1, and I need to be FULLY funded by Jan 1. Just one more month. AIM has been kind in giving me some leeway, but I really want to raise the rest of that money by the end of this month so I can meet the final deadline.
I wonder what it will be like to go home after this chapter of my life. What will life be like i America after visiting and serving 11 other countries?
As I ponder these and other questions, one thing is certain: more has changed than I will ever be able to express. God has used me to change the lives of people I’ve met, and used the people I’ve met to change me. Beautiful harmony. And I’m hardly at the halfway mark! How much more will change from here on?
How will I be able to bear returning to a world that doesn’t even begin to comprehend these experiences? I guess it’ll just be the next step of relying on God to guide me and teach me. One phase to the next. His timing and teachings remain perfect.
And as I sit, gazing out at this beautiful sight that is Africa, I’m overcome with one particular emotion: gratitude. Gratitude to my God who brought me here, and gratitude to all of you who listened to His prompting and released funds to get me here. I even want to thank those of you who have helped fund the rest of my squad. I love them so much and thank you for helping them, so I can take this journey with them.
I love you all and have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!
