Leaving for 11 months was a huge step of faith. Although my knees buckled at the thought of being gone for that long, God has been ever so faithful the entire time. He even gave me an angel:
As I talked to my church about this next journey that God was sending me on, many supporters held me up. In the crowd of people fighting for me, this beautiful woman gave me a hug and her support (both prayerfully and financially). Seeing her eagerness in joining me on this journey, I knew that her spirits would not leave my side when I waved goodbye for the 11 months. A month after I had talked to this woman, she joined Jesus in Heaven after a tough battle with cancer. Her beautiful life was mourned, but in that also came a sense of comfort for me knowing that she would be with me on this trip. Her name was Gloria.
Month 9 of the Race proves to be a tough one. We all are well seasoned now and are into our 3rd month on the continent of Africa. Team changes at the beginning of this month were a blessing, but for me I was still tired, worn down, and daydreaming about home. Sick with malaria for the second time, eating rice for the ninth month in a row, and using bucket showers for the fourth month in a row…I couldn't help but think about the day I would return home. This month in Kenya was off to a tough start and I needed something to help me keep going. On our first day of ministry we helped with a little manual labor at a local church. While there I met a toddler who I instantly fell in love with. In fact, her warm smile and shaved head also touched the hearts of others on my team. She raised her arms for me to hold her and I just embraced her. From something as simple as that, I could tell my spirits were being lifted. She was lifting the spirits of others on my team as well. Seeing her fall asleep on my teammate's lap at church that following Sunday proved that she touches the life of everyone that she comes in contact with. Oh ya, her name is also Gloria. (in picture below)
