I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (2 Tim 4:7)
It’s been a little over a month since I got back to good ol’ America.
And like many have said, there is just nothing like America.
Man, we just have it good here; the weather, the food, the clothes, medical insurance, etc.
We are blessed to live here. The land of the free.
Despite our political situation with our new president elect and issues with foreign policy, drug abuse, homelessness, racial injustices, etc., it is still a blessing to live here.
A lot has happened this last month since I got home.
While a lot has not happened.
I’ve been resting a whole lot. Been reading. Been praying. Been eating my mom’s delicious cooking. Processing my trip through journaling. Spending time with loved ones. Have been trying to stay away from stores and crowded places. Went hiking. Had family bbq’s. Had coffee with friends. Yoga at the beach. Visited my old & new church. Attempted to start running again but almost died. Updated my resume & cover letter. Had job interviews. Watched a lot of tv. Celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Things that have not gone as planned.
I’m still living with my parents. I’m still sleeping on my sleeping pad. I’m still unemployed. I borrow my mom’s car to get around. I’m using money from my savings account to hangout and do things.
Despite it all. This is where I am supposed to be.
Even if society & my flesh are saying otherwise, my current circumstances is exactly where God wants me.
Sometimes I beat myself up for being in this place. Sometimes I feel like I digressed in my future career plans. Sometime I feel like I’m stuck. Sometimes I feel like everyone has expectations of where I need to be.
But then I have to ask & remind myself:
Did God want you to go on this 11-month trip? Yes.
Is this where God has you now? Yes.
Has He abandoned you? No.
Does He have your best interest? Yes.
Do you trust Him? Yes.
Is it all going to work out? Yes.
These are the conversations I have with God, sometimes with or without tears.
And then I remind myself, “Claudia, relax, it’s only been a month & it’s the holiday season! Enjoy each day. Be present. Be intentional with people. Have your alone time. Be vulnerable. Give people feedback and apologize when you do something wrong.“
All of these corny pep talks are what I learned on the World Race.
All of them.
I learned so much on this journey with God.
But mostly on how to be a better human in this crazy world.
A human that cares about others more than herself. A human that will mess up but that will take full accountability for her actions. A human that will ask for forgiveness and move on. A human that needs to rely on God for everything she can think of because if she doesn’t she will mess it all up.
Oh man, the World Race was just so good to my soul & spirit.
Yes, I saw so much.
Yes, I met great people.
Yes, I did adventurous things.
And yes, I ate a lot of delicious food.
But mostly, I came out of it a more loving, self-aware and vulnerable person.
I know there is a lot of criticism towards mission’s trips, especially short-term mission’s trips, but I believe it is doing more good than harm to this world.
Yes, some people’s living conditions are exploited and some say people lose their dignity. But man, the rewards that come from these trips are invaluable.
I believe it opens American’s eyes to the great need around the world. And it educates us how poverty can contribute to homelessness, malnutrition, domestic violence, human & sex trafficking, gang violence, terrorist attacks, child abuse, severe medical illness, & child abandonment. And how we can partake in changing the lives of people around the world!
Whether you go on mission’s trips yourself or make a $1 donation to a missionary, you are changing the world!
Mission’s work has changed my life for the better. It’s made me more appreciative of what I have but also more compassionate & caring about others’ well being.
I can’t live a normal life now. I can’t come back to America and act like I didn’t see, hear, touch, felt, & tasted such things around the world.
God put me on this earth for a purpose and I believe it is to love and care for others, despite our differing religions, languages and culture. Whether I’m in the classroom as a teacher or a uber driver on weekends, I’m called to love all people.
Which in all honesty, after traveling 11 countries, I see us all being much more alike than different.
I wish I could write everything I learned in this blog but I’m still processing it all.
I’m thankful beyond words to have had this opportunity.
Your support made it all possible.
From your donations, to your encouraging words, it all meant the world to me!
You were a part of my journey as well and I just hope that my blogs and picture updates on Facebook & Instagram captured my experiences around the globe.
This trip was not about me. It was not about mission’s work. It was all about God and all He is doing around the world through your support.
People are being fed, people are being taught English, schools are getting new restrooms, people are getting healed, people are receiving medical aid, communities are getting parks built, children are being given a free quality education, but most importantly people are given hope.
Hope that there is a God that loves them & will never leave them despite their circumstances.
Again, thank you for being a part of my journey and choosing to make a difference in the lives of people around the world.
Have a wonderful 2017!
Love, Peace & Joy,
Claudia
(Below is a picture of my kiddos in South Africa. Miss them! Month 1 will always be remembered)
