This month we were working at a home for orphans and less fortunate children called Desa Amal Jireh. They had 100+ kids and about 15 old folks that lived on the campus as well. They needed help in a bunch of different areas so for most of the month we were split into groups of two. For the first week Emily (our super cool squad leader) and I had the chance to work in the home school that they have on campus for the children that either can’t afford to go to government school or are not developmentally ready for their age. It was a learning experience for us. They have different teaching styles and techniques that we were not used to, but we enjoyed the learning opportunity. The other girls had the chance to help in the office as they were preparing to send out 22,000 letters to all their supporters. And the third group was working with one of the staff at the local thrift store where all the proceeds go to the D.A.J. The second week Emily, Carly and I were asked to help with some yard work and property maintenance. During this time we had the chance to get to know Joe on a deeper level. He shared his story and spoke a lot of life into us throughout the week, which was really awesome. And for the last two weeks, we all helped with the thrift store and in the office. We lived about 45 minutes away form Kuala Lumpur in the mountains but only a 5 minute Uber ride from McDonalds.
The first two weekends I made the decision to not go with some of the girls in to explore the city because 1) I know I would have spent too much money because it’s a huge city and there are giant malls on every corner and fast food restaurants everywhere. And 2) the Lord was (and still is) walking me through a lot of personal things this past month. It was a healthy choice to stay home, rest and spend time with him instead of being my adventurous self and going to the city. Was it hard? Heck yea! If you ask RaeLynn, there were a few moments where I was going a little stir crazy. But in those moments I chose to press back into what the Lord had for me and wanted to show me during that time.
But the third and fourth weekends I was able to get out and explore. The third weekend I ended up going to explore the city and a couple of us went to an elephant sanctuary where we got to actually bathe a baby elephant in the river! Crazy right? It was super fun.
Also, at the beginning of this month we came from our month 7 debrief that was held in Phuket. During that week, I experienced a lot of attack from the enemy. I had to walk through a lot of stuff with the Lord and with leadership. I came through it with a willingness to change and press in fully to what God has for me is these last few months of the race. It’s starting to fly by and one of the things the Lord told me during that week was that I need to remove the distractions in order to be all in. So one of the biggest distractions for me is social media. This might sound crazy but social media is a huge distraction for a lot of people. I know! I know! It’s hard to wrap your head around but it actually is! Anyway! I was obedient and cut out all social media for the month and even tried to cut out Wi-Fi all together (other than communicating with our leadership team). When I first started, it was really hard. I was the only person on my team who had decided to do this. When everyone else is checking their stuff or talking about what’s going on, I felt super out of the loop and annoyed. As the week went on I chose to use the time that I would have spent cruising social media to spent with the Lord. For me, listening to Bethel music and writing in my journal or colouring in my new awesome adult colouring book. (Our team picked up adult colouring this month and it’s super awesome and therapeutic. I suggest everyone try it) is what solid, time well spent with the Lord looks like. I know it sounds like a no-brainer, but fasting social media was a really great decision and I encourage you to try it sometime to help reset the way you live your day to day life. It helps you focus on things that are far more important than what your friends had for lunch today. I’m learning that when you remove the distractions, there’s way more room to hear what the Lord has to say to you, about you and for you.
This month a few girls from my team and I got the chance to add another country to our list! We jumped on a plane and went to Singapore for the last weekend in Asia. It was a really cool opportunity so see and experience such a beautiful place. I hadn’t walked that much in a really long time, but we had places to see in a short amount of time. We also got really good at using their subway system and probably covered all of Singapore in those two days. It was pretty awesome. When we arrived, we went to check out one of the Kingdom City churches and that was a really cool experience too. It felt like I was at home and all the people there were super friendly. I’m so thankful for crazy adventure opportunities like this after having such a challenging month.
Why was this month challenging you ask? Well, as a team we faced a lot of difficulties with day to day tasks and communication with our hosts that we were able to sort of work through as the month went on. And personally the Lord decided that month 8 was the perfect month to bring up a lot of past stuff that I had brushed under the rug. Stuff I thought I’d never have to deal with. He also revealed things about my identity and is walking me through who I am as a friend and who I can be as a future wife someday (maybe). During this really hard month I’m beyond thankful to have my community around me that is constantly encouraging me and calling me higher. Also my #personaltherapist RaeLynn has oh so graciously come alongside me during this hard season and I am just so thankful that the Lord has brought her into my life for all the hard times and the good times too!
I think something God’s been teaching me the most this month is that he brings some people into your life for certain seasons and also removes them from your life for other seasons. And I’m learning that even though its really hard sometimes, it’s the healthiest way to live and walk through the things God has for you.
This month here in Malaysia concludes our time here in Asia and its actually really hard to wrap my head around it. We are starting the next section, the next continent, the LAST continent of the race and I’m beyond excited for all the God has for me and my team for these last three months. Yep, you read it right. We only have THREE months left! Let the adventure continue!
Prayer Request:
- I get to see my PARENTS this month!!! I’m SO excited that they are getting the opportunity to come out and experience a glimpse of the way I have been doing life for the past 8.5 months. And for all the parents in general as the enemy hates when people are doing great things for the kingdom.
- I have been praying that the Lord would have complete control over my future and my plans after the race, but I’d love prayer as I am being prepared for whatever he has for me and for transitioning back into the North American culture.
- As our mindsets shift to what we are going to be doing next, please pray that I can be where my feet are and not worry about what my future may hold.
- I’ve had a few teammates leave the race in the past few months and I ask that you would join me in praying for each of them as they follow what the Lord has for them in this season and as they transition back into life at home.
Thank you for your continued prayer and support! I appreciate it more than you know!
May God bless you for being so patient and reading through this long and boring blog entry.
Until next time!
Xo Court
