You got a question??
Do you smell?
Yes. Like
what, Im not sure. Id say the culmination of bucket showers or rather lack of
showering has taken its toll. Dont
judge.
Where
did you find the most peace?
Early mornings. I never understood what it meant to have
a quiet time. Before my Race began, I was running around like a chicken with
my head cut off (which I actually saw in Nicaragua and I could totally relate
to.) I am naturally an early riser but the Race magnified my bodys need to
wake up before the roosters crow. 5:00am came too early most mornings but the
tranquility, solitude and sunrise were well worth the lack of sleep. A cup of
coffee (always instant but Ill take it) and my Bible is all I needed to find
peace in times of difficulty and anxiousness.
a quiet time. Before my Race began, I was running around like a chicken with
my head cut off (which I actually saw in Nicaragua and I could totally relate
to.) I am naturally an early riser but the Race magnified my bodys need to
wake up before the roosters crow. 5:00am came too early most mornings but the
tranquility, solitude and sunrise were well worth the lack of sleep. A cup of
coffee (always instant but Ill take it) and my Bible is all I needed to find
peace in times of difficulty and anxiousness.
Where
did you find the most inner turmoil in your journey?
did you find the most inner turmoil in your journey?
Cambodia is a country known for its beauty. But the vast
majority of people are not aware of its bloody history. To find light in this
dark place proved to be adverse. The month began with a series of unfathomable
situations that ultimately lead to our dismissal from ministry. My relationship
with Moam lead to a persistent inner questioning of, Is our God a good God? I could not convince myself to fully believe
this. It wasnt until a similar circumstance in Nepal did my questioning turn
into a wholehearted realization that God was good through and in it all. Our
removal from ministry in Cambodia catapulted my team and I into a month
searching for world changing organizations. It was a blessing in disguise and
somewhat redeemed the month for me.
majority of people are not aware of its bloody history. To find light in this
dark place proved to be adverse. The month began with a series of unfathomable
situations that ultimately lead to our dismissal from ministry. My relationship
with Moam lead to a persistent inner questioning of, Is our God a good God? I could not convince myself to fully believe
this. It wasnt until a similar circumstance in Nepal did my questioning turn
into a wholehearted realization that God was good through and in it all. Our
removal from ministry in Cambodia catapulted my team and I into a month
searching for world changing organizations. It was a blessing in disguise and
somewhat redeemed the month for me.
What
was your biggest surprise?
was your biggest surprise?
How amazing it was to be on a team of all women; fiery
woman at that! Our last exercise before teams were established lead to a
meltdown; me crying over the fact that I believed I would be placed on an
all-female team. My tears helped in my placement on the BFFs with a solid
group made up of two men and five women. While Seth and Ray became some of my
closest friends, I am forever grateful for my month five and six with the most
incredible women I have ever met. We were thrown together with no idea the
challenges that we would soon face. We grew closer and will forever be known as
Team Phoenix.
woman at that! Our last exercise before teams were established lead to a
meltdown; me crying over the fact that I believed I would be placed on an
all-female team. My tears helped in my placement on the BFFs with a solid
group made up of two men and five women. While Seth and Ray became some of my
closest friends, I am forever grateful for my month five and six with the most
incredible women I have ever met. We were thrown together with no idea the
challenges that we would soon face. We grew closer and will forever be known as
Team Phoenix.
What
was EXACTLY what you thought it would be?
was EXACTLY what you thought it would be?
Nothing. From the food to the cultures to the change in
myself. My preconceived notions were blown out to sea along with my
expectations. Each month brought new predictions. Sometimes they werent met
and other times they were brought to new heights. That is the awesome thing
that happens when you allow God to lead
you on this crazy journey called life: nothing is exactly how you thought it
would be; its better!
myself. My preconceived notions were blown out to sea along with my
expectations. Each month brought new predictions. Sometimes they werent met
and other times they were brought to new heights. That is the awesome thing
that happens when you allow God to lead
you on this crazy journey called life: nothing is exactly how you thought it
would be; its better!
At
what point did you feel totally hopeless, saw a miracle happen and KNEW that
only God could have changed that?
what point did you feel totally hopeless, saw a miracle happen and KNEW that
only God could have changed that?
I started this journey with Hebrews 6:19 being my
favorite verse. And I am thankful I did. It was pretty much the only piece of
scripture I had memorized. I find it no coincidence that God brought me to some
of the most hopeless situations on earth; an AIDS victim on her death bed,
starving children screaming for food, a woman beaten by her husband, an
alcoholic father that sees no way out. And the scripture would come to mind.
We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters
the inner shrine behind the curtain.There is only one instance in which I felt completely
hopeless. When holding Moam down so that she could be chained once again; that
was my lowest and most hopeless point on the Race. Did I witness a miracle
soon after? No. I did, however, have a change of heart which if you asked me
four years ago how content my heart was, I would probably say not at all. So to
now have a heart completely captivated by love is a miracle in itself.
favorite verse. And I am thankful I did. It was pretty much the only piece of
scripture I had memorized. I find it no coincidence that God brought me to some
of the most hopeless situations on earth; an AIDS victim on her death bed,
starving children screaming for food, a woman beaten by her husband, an
alcoholic father that sees no way out. And the scripture would come to mind.
We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters
the inner shrine behind the curtain.There is only one instance in which I felt completely
hopeless. When holding Moam down so that she could be chained once again; that
was my lowest and most hopeless point on the Race. Did I witness a miracle
soon after? No. I did, however, have a change of heart which if you asked me
four years ago how content my heart was, I would probably say not at all. So to
now have a heart completely captivated by love is a miracle in itself.
Aside
from the people, what do you think is the coolest, most interesting, or most
memorable thing you saw on your trip?
from the people, what do you think is the coolest, most interesting, or most
memorable thing you saw on your trip?
Coolest: an all out thundering, ground shaking Lion King
stampede. A few squad mates and I were wandering around a wildlife refuge that
we deemed walk able. After an hour of meandering, I prayed, Lord, all I
really want to see if one giraffe. Thats all. Just one giraffe. 30 seconds
later, I not only saw a giraffe, I came within 100 feet of 15 giraffes of all
sizes along with zebras, wildebeests, impalas and kudus. We later came to find
out that the cause of the stampede was from a gunshot. Needless to say, we
should not have been strolling through the African bush that day.
stampede. A few squad mates and I were wandering around a wildlife refuge that
we deemed walk able. After an hour of meandering, I prayed, Lord, all I
really want to see if one giraffe. Thats all. Just one giraffe. 30 seconds
later, I not only saw a giraffe, I came within 100 feet of 15 giraffes of all
sizes along with zebras, wildebeests, impalas and kudus. We later came to find
out that the cause of the stampede was from a gunshot. Needless to say, we
should not have been strolling through the African bush that day.
Most Interesting: Smells. Some were disturbingly poignant
while others were downright nauseating. Most of the world cannot afford
deodorant or rather see bodily odor as an attraction. This makes for long
Nepali bus rides where your nose is in direct contact with a mans armpit for
several hours. I will say that Malaysia had the best smelling people Ive ever
come across, which is partially due to our Pastors love for concocting various
scents in his home.
while others were downright nauseating. Most of the world cannot afford
deodorant or rather see bodily odor as an attraction. This makes for long
Nepali bus rides where your nose is in direct contact with a mans armpit for
several hours. I will say that Malaysia had the best smelling people Ive ever
come across, which is partially due to our Pastors love for concocting various
scents in his home.
Most memorable: The sound of African children laughing, a
gypsy church in India worshipping, the ferocious preaching in South Africa, the
lost language of the Ngobe tribe, and the rapid fingers drumming the tabla in
Malaysia.
gypsy church in India worshipping, the ferocious preaching in South Africa, the
lost language of the Ngobe tribe, and the rapid fingers drumming the tabla in
Malaysia.
If
you could only pick 1 of your 11 countries to return to and live, which would
it be?
you could only pick 1 of your 11 countries to return to and live, which would
it be?
Cambodia. Despite its hardships and ever present
darkness, there is so much light to be found there. Seeing the children who are
manipulated and sold as a piece of property commands my heart to reach new
depths of empathy. While it wouldnt be the easiest or most restful place to
return with the intention of living, I feel well equipped to combat the
injustice that is prevalent in what some have deemed a hopeless country. To
bring hope and restoration in this place would be well worth the uneasiness
that it brings.
darkness, there is so much light to be found there. Seeing the children who are
manipulated and sold as a piece of property commands my heart to reach new
depths of empathy. While it wouldnt be the easiest or most restful place to
return with the intention of living, I feel well equipped to combat the
injustice that is prevalent in what some have deemed a hopeless country. To
bring hope and restoration in this place would be well worth the uneasiness
that it brings.
What
was your favorite/least favorite country?
was your favorite/least favorite country?
Favorite(s): Its extremely hard to pick just one. I
loved each country for different reasons but if I had to choose, my top three
would be Nicaragua, Cambodia and South Africa. Nicaragua was spent at a
childrens home named C.I.C.R.I.N. If you know me, you know I love children so
the reason for this country being one of my favorites is pretty
self-explanatory. Cambodia was the hardest country for obvious reasons I have
shared about but it opened my eyes to a new level of injustice and for that I
am forever grateful. South Africa captivated my heart. From its breathtaking
landscape to its unbelievably hospitable people, it quickly became one of my
favorite months. Merely spending time in a community known for its violence and
facing that head-on was so rewarding.
loved each country for different reasons but if I had to choose, my top three
would be Nicaragua, Cambodia and South Africa. Nicaragua was spent at a
childrens home named C.I.C.R.I.N. If you know me, you know I love children so
the reason for this country being one of my favorites is pretty
self-explanatory. Cambodia was the hardest country for obvious reasons I have
shared about but it opened my eyes to a new level of injustice and for that I
am forever grateful. South Africa captivated my heart. From its breathtaking
landscape to its unbelievably hospitable people, it quickly became one of my
favorite months. Merely spending time in a community known for its violence and
facing that head-on was so rewarding.
Whats next?
As one can
imagine, I am tired. All of those 5:00am early mornings took a toll on me. For
the last week, I have been trying to catch up on sleep and realign my body into
the healthy person I once was. I am no longer the health nut I deemed myself,
but purely someone trying to get rid of the bugs lingering inside me along with
the marathon legs I once had. I have been applying to work as a substitute
teacher for the time being while waiting for an apprenticeship with Center for
Global Action to begin. Its a program that starts in January, which focuses on
the injustices that linger in the Atlanta, Georgia area. This includes working
with Out of Darkness, a faith-based NGO that helps victims of sex-trafficking
gain a new identity in Christ while providing them with the means to start a
new life. I will also be working with local refugees in the Atlanta area and
exploring journalism. Feel free to email/call/text me to hang out =)
imagine, I am tired. All of those 5:00am early mornings took a toll on me. For
the last week, I have been trying to catch up on sleep and realign my body into
the healthy person I once was. I am no longer the health nut I deemed myself,
but purely someone trying to get rid of the bugs lingering inside me along with
the marathon legs I once had. I have been applying to work as a substitute
teacher for the time being while waiting for an apprenticeship with Center for
Global Action to begin. Its a program that starts in January, which focuses on
the injustices that linger in the Atlanta, Georgia area. This includes working
with Out of Darkness, a faith-based NGO that helps victims of sex-trafficking
gain a new identity in Christ while providing them with the means to start a
new life. I will also be working with local refugees in the Atlanta area and
exploring journalism. Feel free to email/call/text me to hang out =)
*I will have
to continue fundraising to support my apprenticeship with Center for Global
Action. If you feel lead to support, just let me know: [email protected] I cannot
thank everyone enough for their support the past 11 months and will be forever
grateful!
to continue fundraising to support my apprenticeship with Center for Global
Action. If you feel lead to support, just let me know: [email protected] I cannot
thank everyone enough for their support the past 11 months and will be forever
grateful!
Ahhh! I can’t believe it’s over!
