I’ve heard about a trend that happens on the World Race. We were warned before the race to keep our hearts open to love, and to not allow the constant goodbyes to close our hearts to new people. Even in the beginning of the race a host told us they were so happy to have us in the beginning of the race before the burnout began.
Honestly, these comments terrified me.
I didn’t want this to happen and I was determined in the beginning to stay focused on always keeping my heart open.
As the months went on I kind of forgot about this. I didn’t focus on forcing myself to connect. We would meet our new hosts, sometimes only do ministry once at a place but still my heart felt full. It ached when we left but I didn’t even realize what was happening.
Fast forward to today. Sitting here at training camp learning about culture and all of a sudden I remembered the fear I had of not being able to love people fully.
Then I realize, a prayer I prayed before the race even began, that I rarely prayed on the race, and a prayer I haven’t prayed in months was answered ten fold!
I am sitting here with this new squad and I CANNOT express the love I have for them. I met these people a week ago! I came here straight from Romania without a break. In my mind before the race I should be completely burnt out.
My heart should be closed to them according to that fear, but it isn’t. And as I realized this I saw the moment when this really hit me. It was in month 8 of the race when I said I could physically feel the love I had for the people we were with. Then it continued, I can’t think back to anyone I met on the race (even pre month 8) without a physical response of the love God gave me for those people.
A year ago I didn’t know I could love people this much or even that God loves people this much.
I want to leave you with one last thing:
God answers prayers, even when we forget to pray them!
Shoot, God is so good!
Also, one more thing!
You might notice the lovely fundraising bar up at the top of this page, yup it’s empty! I’ve officially began fundraising for this next leg of the journey of life God has for me. So if you want to officially donate towards January 2020 just click the donate button and follow the directions!
If you want to help me with the cost of my travel from Romania to Training Camp then back to Portugal to finish out my original World Race the best way is my venmo: @Courtney-Shackle
Thank you all so much for continuing on this journey with me!
Please be praying for S Squad as we finish out our last month on the field together and for C Squad as they prepare for 11 months on the field starting in January!
