Ha ha!! I remember reading so many blogs before applying for the race. They were written by people experiencing something that I couldn’t totally understand until being on this myself. I would read blogs about packing lists, ministry sites, travel days, feelings of almost done, and here I am in month 10 almost done. I feel like I’m now some sort of traveling expert that can offer some words of wisdom to the newbies just heading out on the race (I’ll add my thoughts on a packing list at the very end) or those considering it, but you have to experience it yourself because each persons journey is very different. Each person in life in general is on their own journey that God is taking them on and some see Him and follow Him and others miss Him all together, but it doesn’t change the fact that He’s got us all on our own unique journeys.
Time is flying and I realize that we need to be thankful for each day and think of it as an adventure. I was sitting at the shopping mall here in Mbabane, Swaziland and there was a quote by Emerson, “Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.” I thought, this is easy to do now on the race, but will I be able to do this when I get home?! If I look at each day as my last, a chance to make an impact in someone else’s life, and be thankful for all that God gives me, than it can be the best day no matter where I’m at. I was listening to the song 100 years by Five for Fighting..and I’m already past a few of the ages he mentions and I thought these times are just moments and they go by quickly. This race is almost over and did I steward the year well? The months well? The MOMENTS? Are you living in the moment or always looking to the next big thing?
The people I have come across in each country, the customs, the cultures, the norms, the not so norms, the ministries, jumping in with both feet, living life with strangers each month has been such a great lesson in loving others well. He’s made us all so unique. I’ve been sharpened by so many people in these months away. Get to know people right away each month- don’t wait until the last week.
So I’ve been reflecting a little, not my favorite thing to do so it’s a bit sketch. There are not many for sure’s on this race since each person’s journey is so different but here are few.
- You will for sure receive feedback about you and it will hurt your precious pride. It’s good.
- You will for sure fall in love and leave pieces of your heart everywhere! With the kids, your contacts, the people in each country, your team eventually!
- You will for sure grow closer to God-if you want to
- You will for sure be different after seeing all you see
- You will for sure lower your expectations of personal hygiene
- You will for sure have more for sures I’m just stopping here..
So by month 9 I thought why is the race 11 months? I’m ready to go back and get started on what I’ve learned, what I’ve seen. I’m ready to plant my dreams, community is overrated, travel days annoying (well I actually love travel days), and bad wifi is a joke! I thought I’m good, I’ve gotten my feedback, I’ve learned my lessons, coined the right phrases of pressing in, choosing joy, claiming things and declaring things, I’ve arrived! LET ME OFF THIS THING! Haha!! So with that attitude God knocked me flat on my face. He’s good at doing that. I don’t think He ever takes my side! He’s got a bit more to show me. I will never arrive! This journey just marks another and another. The “race” isn’t over until I’m at eternity’s shore and even then He’ll probably have one last lesson for me! Ok God! Bring it! I want it. So as I am ending this month (wrote this the end of month 9) He has taught me it’s not just enough to be Spirit-led by words, but Spirit-obedient by actions. When the Spirit is nudging, learning that deep pit feeling in the gut, giving me the sweats, not to ignore praying about it, not pushing it on my teammates to speak up for me, but to own it. Listen and obey. Should have had this mastered from my days at training camp, but I still have rebellion, pride, selfishness in my heart that gets in my way sometimes- so I humbly confessed to my team, shocked them with tears,( I don't mention much about being vulnerable as it's not my favorite thing- I even hesitate to post this blog, but it's good and much needed to be vulnerable!) and felt a whole lot better being in agreement with the Spirit! So I say future racers, be prepared for all 11 months because God needs and wants all of you all the way! These last 2 months are going to be filled with the most important refining lessons. Right now I’m focusing on finishing well, not finishing fast, even though I have amazing friends and a loving family, my car, mom’s cookies, 24/7 wifi, and a hot shower waiting for me back home!! I think they got rid of my king-size waterbed, but the extra long extra wide sleeping pad is pretty decent!
So here are a few of the things I’ve learned this year (or knew before but have been reminded once again) in no set order as my brain is just not that clever! I may update this and add to it after these last 2 months!
- Love those in leadership well. Pray for them (this in not just because I’m a squad leader-this goes back to my first 2 months when I wasn’t in leadership for the first time in many years!)
- Everyone is on their own journey and sometimes God uses you to teach them something. It can be painful but don’t take it personally.
- Trust Trust Trust
- Operate in His strength it equals JOY!
- Relationships are THE be-all and end-all.. and the beginning of 2 journeys meeting!
- Finishing well is more important than finishing fast
- Your presence in a person’s life should make them better not less.
- It’s all about God not all about me-0h snap! Where I end. God begins.
- Sharing (even the few cookies your mom sends in a care package) is where it’s at!
- Words have power of Life and Death! Yep the Bible is on to something here!
- What happens to me is less important than how I handle what happens to me (words of wisdom from the one and only Pastor Chuck Cervenka-thanks Pops!)
- It (whatever IT is) doesn’t matter. I have no control!
- If you’re looking for normal, than you’re not looking for God. Expect BIG things!
- He has a plan. Ha ha! No really..He’s got a plan!
- Don’t bulldoze through life, but softly follow the Spirit’s leading (yep..I’m a bulldozer..ugh!)
- Love God Love People (c’mon you knew I had to add this one!) Do it!
- See souls. Get to know the story.
- Shift your paradigms
- YOU are not overlooked
- Be content.
- Verdict is in. Free in Christ!
- Must meet with Jesus Daily-sporadically is not gonna cut it
- Never pay full price J
- I can sleep anywhere
- Cleanliness is not necessarily next to godliness
- Bottom line..Be me.
- Submission is not releasing independence
- Seek first His kingdom.
- Don’t have favorites
- Vent to God.
- Obedience is neat.
- He really doesn’t relent, you don’t stand a chance..so give Him all! 100% not 99.5%
- Who cares if people don’t love YOU well. Love well. God loves you and that’s enough.
- Expect healings and deliveries when praying for people!
- Bugs are friends, ants are vicious, spiders not that bad, bats..harmelss..snakes well still dangerous.
- I will be able to survive without Sweet Aroma in my space everyday..still not sure about this one! Love you guys! (check them out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8q7bsMO7KSA)
There is more to add I mean it’s been 10 months!! But I am moving on..Here are a few of my goals as I come to the end. Life goals really.
- Be spirit obedient right away. Jesus confident. God fearing.
- Be me! No hesitations!
- Be decisive! Ha Ha! Just pick!
- Ask for gifts from the Lord
- Pray prayers that change the world, not just my world.
Be ready for anything even at home. Expect God in ALL things. Keep your mind on Him. He gives peace, divine appointments, direction, and a whole lot of love. It was all finished at the cross-we get to walk it out. Love God and Love people. Realize that we are all on our own journeys, messed up as humans made right through Christ. There really is nothing we can do (hear that do-ers) He’s already done it!
If you feel called to be on this race or to anything in life don’t ignore it because He’s not gonna let up till He has all of You! The mission field is not Central America, Philippines, Asia or Africa. It’s everywhere, every moment, every place YOU are. Bring His Kingdom.
But Seek first His Kingdom and HIS righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well! Matthew 6:33
My thoughts on the packing list.. don’t sweat it. Pack for a week. Really. Not a month not a year. A week. Your big pack should be 40lbs. You can buy anything anywhere. Crazy, but true. Plus bonus of living in community you can share stuff!
- Jack up your ipod, iphone, itouch, android phone with podcasts, worship music, sermons, games, audiobooks, you name it! It will be your best friend. Your camera. Your easy access to wifi. Your key tool to keep in touch with home. Your way to have quiet time. Protect your ear buds. Treat them well.
- Chacos are pretty legit
- Don’t cheap out on the sleep pad it really is your best friend
- Malaria meds are overrated. You can buy them in the country too
- Yes to packing cubes!
- I love my jeans!
- Don’t focus on movies or shows. It will just be a way to check out but work out videos are a good idea!
- Love my 4lb study Bible but bring a pocket one too
- Debit card (VISA)
- Pics from home to show kids and contacts
