Missing lunch is a big deal, but what about launch? What’s going on? Where am I?
Last July I injured my lower back which resulted in stiffness and pain. A few weeks later I felt good enough to go on a bike ride, but that made it worse so I went to the doctor and was prescribed some strong anti-inflammatories. 3 months later was World Race training camp and I was around 85% which was great because during the previous 3 months I was very limited in what I could do physically. I thought I’d be all healed and ready to launch for the trip in January.
Less than 2 week after training camp my right leg became numb and my mobility was limited. My right foot felt like I was wearing a swim flipper when I walked. It was strange, but I didn’t think too much of it because it was only a minor limitation and the pain wasn’t intense. I thought it would pass with time. 2 weeks later I decided to go on a bike ride and after pumping up the rear tire I felt something go wrong in my body. Oh no! Not again! This time it was worse. The pain I endured during November and December ranged from 7-10 with 10 being the most pain I’ve ever felt in my life. After 4 doctors, a chiropractor, a physical therapist, Xrays, a back specialist and a MRI, I found out that I had a herniated disc. The disc was pushing on some nerves causing all the pain, numbness, stiffness, and cramps.
I was told that I had a herniated disc by the back specialist on December 6th. I was supposed to be leaving the country for 11 months on January 9th. Definitely crunch time and time was not on my side. The doctor advised me not to go on the trip because it would take 2-3 months for my back to heal and then up to 6 months of limited physical activity to prevent it from happening again.
So, I’m sitting in my apartment in the USA typing this while my ex-squad (C squad) is currently in Honduras. The physical pain I’ve been going through as been tough, but there has also been mental, emotional, and spiritual pain. I have a lot of unanswered questions, but I have been trusting that God has a purpose for what I have been going through.
The good folks at Adventures in Missions have let me re-route and launch later in the year. I’m scheduled to launch in September on the 1st ever all Asia route. When Adventures announced the all Asia route last year I was jealous because I wanted to go on that route! Well, now I get to!
The countries I’ll be going to now are: India, Nepal, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Japan, China, Mongolia, Philippines.
To all of my supporters: all of your donated funds will be transferred over to the new route.
