The other day one of my teammates thought about what our team will be doing a year from now and honestly most of us have no clue where we’ll end up after we’re done with the Race. This caused me to think about what I was doing a year ago. Around this time last August I was preparing for my final year of college and took a leap of faith by applying for the World Race. It was something I felt strongly lead to do in my heart and on August 28 I got the call that I was accepted. Instantly, I knew that I was in for an adventure of a lifetime yet I knew there would be hard lessons and discipleship through the process.
To be honest, earlier this week during ministry I was asked how I feeling and my honest answer was sucky. There has been a multitude of things that has stretched our team this 1st month. From 7 people living in a broken 200 sq. foot apartment to manual labor ministry in the mud, our team has grown to become comfortable in the uncomfortable. There are multiple reasons that our team could be upset or frustrated with our situation yet as we are getting closer to the end of the month we are learning to embrace the hard situations. It has been all of these hard situations during our 1st month that have forced us to come together as a team Everyday our team has been expressing what we are grateful for during our team time and any other time that we feel overwhelmed. Our gratitude has become simpler as time has gone on from things like technology to simply being able to find a chair somewhere after a long day.
We’ve learned to realize the fact that yes this is hard, yes some days we feel like crap, yes our setup this month may not be what we expected/are used to, yes our emotions are all over the place, and yes, all of these feelings are completely valid as we learn to give each other grace through this first month together. I have learned to see the beauty of this rough situation as when we are forced to humble ourselves it has caused us to draw closer to God. From pushing through this month we have built more character and gained wisdom from realizing that in spite of our uncomfortable situation, God is still worth it and is good through all of it.
He’s still good when you have to scoop your own poop out of the toilet because it has broke.
He’s still worth it when you have no furniture and the power goes out forcing you to eat dinner with headlamps on the ground in the dark.
He’s still good when you’re covered in mud/cow manure after falling during ministry.
There have been many days where my teammates have been laid out on our face before the Lord, asking God bold “why?” questions, and breaking down during the uncomfortable moments. Through these moments it has caused our team to become openly vulnerable with one another, figure out how to work together as a team, crawl back to the foot of the cross, and to take our team name, Unshakable, seriously as we stand firm in the midst of unforeseen situations. This month has been a fun roller-coaster so far and I’m excited to see what else God has in store for us these next 10 months.
Love,
Crystal
***UPDATES***
MINISTRY: My team is working with Missions Beyond Aviation to build a landing strip and help construct a church. They are American missionaries who help to provide goods to the indigenous Ngabe Bugle tribe.
CONTACT: My main form of communication is now through this blog, WhatsApp, or by email([email protected]). Leave a comment if you would like my WhatsApp info.
FUNDRAISING: My next deadline is $13,000 by September 30. If you would like to become a monthly donor or give a one-time tax-deductible gift you can do so by clicking the donate button in the dashboard underneath my photo. I am forever grateful for those choosing to partner with me in this journey!
