Life on The World Race is unpredictable. A few nights ago, as I was stumbling through the dark on my way to bed, I came across my first tarantula. Yesterday, I was coming back from the bathroom and a sweet Nicaraguan woman stopped me only to lead me to her bathroom doing hilarious sign language showing me how to use and flush her toilet. I think she just wanted to serve me, by letting me use her bathroom. But it was hilarious none the less.
Then, upon leaving our ministry site we caught site of our bus and began running — and before anyone knew it, I was sprawled out on the ground with a bus full of Nicaraguan's laughing at me. Yes, I was that excited to get on the bus.
I love this life. It is a journey full of unexpected adventures. Each day is a new opportunity to serve the Lord and to serve Him more fully. Even though my life does not look like it did 6 months ago — it is still life. It is easy to "romanticize" The World Race. It is easy to read the blogs from an audience perspective back in the States thinking : how bold, how heroic.
Well, let's be honest. I'm still human. Me and my teammates are still human.
And I'm still walking through this thing called life, even on The World Race.
Unlike most mission trips, there is no mission trip "high" on The World Race. Anyone can do anything for 5-14 days, or even a month.
But that "high" is not reality.
Luke 8:22-25 is an incredible passage in Scripture.
Jesus takes His disciples on a journey.
Just as He takes all of us on a journey.
Luke 8:23-24 says this :
"But as they were sailing along He fell asleep; and a fierce gale of wind descended on the lake, and they began to be swamped and in danger. They came to Jesus and woke Him up, saying, "Master, Master, we are perishing!" And He got up and rebuked the wind and the surging waves, and they stopped, and it became calm."
Jesus' disciples had seen miracles. In fact, Jesus had performed miracles through them.
And now, Jesus was taking them across the lake.
The disciples were Jesus' followers, they saw His incredible power.
They had given up everything to follow Him.
Yet, even as the storm came, they forgot their identity in Him.
They forgot what He had done for them.
They forgot Who was on board.
Jesus, of course, comes through.
He calms the storm.
As I walk with Jesus on this thing called The World Race, I do see the miraculous.
It's been the multiplication of food and financial provision.
It's hearing of my fellow squadmates restoring the sight of a blind man in the name of Jesus
and hearing how Jesus literally stepped in to save a squad mate's life.
The miracles are evident and very real.
And I am human.
I'm learning just like you.
I see the miraculous, yet sometimes I forget.
I'm still a human in a broken world, and experiencing brokenness like never before.
I am learning what it looks like to follow Jesus more closely.
And I'm reminded to not forget to not forget His miracles,
but if I do — He is faithful to step in and save.
Jesus has called me on this journey —
just as He has called you on your own journey.
It isn't easy, but His faithfulness and love endures for forever.
Christin, Noah and I are still quite excited after a long day of painting in Managua!
