1. I have a new family of 6 wonderful women that I get to spend the holidays with this year. This may be one of the biggest changes that has come up for me so far (I mean living internationally is just normal now), so knowing that I have people to spend these special times with that know me and love me makes me more comforted being away.
2. Ethiopian coffee is the bomb. This may be something silly to be thankful for, but I have no shame over my addiction love of coffee. Coffee originated in Ethiopia, so what better place to start your morning than with a cup of joe from the originators. It is quite strong I may add but the people know a thing or two about sugar. Also, my team and I discovered the macchiato at the restaurant we eat at everyday and to say it is our new obsession is an understatement. I’m thankful that something I love so much gets to be apart of my daily routine and that the Lord created such amazing coffee.
3. I am so thankful for the copious amount of time I have had to read on The Race. I have flown through more books than I have read in the past years combined. The Lord has blessed me with time to do ministry that I love but also much needed rest time that I haven’t allowed myself since college. Reading brings me joy and God knows that so He’s given me time to do it and given me great books to read. And yes, my team did guilt me into reading Harry Potter (super late in the game); I am currently on book 4 and in love. Some people can see down time as not productive or stressful and I might have been one of those people at once in my life, but I realize that I need to make time for myself to recharge and if that’s through reading multiple books in one week, then so be it!
4. WIFI has been super limited these past two months, and I am so thankful for that. At home, I would definitely say I am addicted to internet and that comes with a longing to being connected to people. Although it has been difficult at times to not be in the know of home, I have real, amazing people I’m doing life with that I get to invest in daily. I don’t need a computer screen or phone to develop relationships, I have relationships all around me that need time and flourishing in. I am thankful that I have broken my need to be online and realize that what is important is right under my nose and I get to spend all my time investing in my team and these ministries.
5. Along these lines, despite not having easy access to internet, I am very thankful for family and friends that still take their time to email me, message me, comment on my blogs, and connect with me. One of my fears coming on The Race was that I would lose touch with everyone in my life easily and that when I came home I would have no one. But these past three months have proved that anxiety to be false. I am so blessed by people in my life that are waiting for me at home and care to know about what life on the field looks like.
6. These past three months my team and I have been so blessed to work with 3 amazing ministries that have all been completely different. Raising Up Hope Uganda is one of the most remarkable ministries I have ever worked with; through Patrick’s work with the slum boys and all the children in Uganda he encounters, he is changing that country (we swear he will be the next president). Fatier and International Healing Center Ministries in Rwanda showed me how powerful and influential God can make a woman. She loves her community and is so revered by those people. In Ethiopia we had the privilege of partnering with Talitha Rise Up (look up Mark 5:41). Abenezar sponsors around 100 community members and provides them with food, clothes, and bedding; the only orphanage in the community is also present under this ministry. Children have a place of safety in his center and have refuge knowing there is somewhere to play and be a kid. God has been so gracious in giving my team and I ministries that are built on His foundation and doing amazing things for the community. And the fact that children have been present for three months is a blessing in itself.
7. I am thankful to be finding out more about myself throughout this journey. It’s silly to think I’ve known myself for 23 years now (almost 24!), yet I am still figuring out new things about myself. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again – when I was chosen as a team leader, I gawked at the decision. But as I’ve stepped into this role in these past three months, I’ve realized what a natural leader the Lord created me to be. I have always been this way but I’ve never given myself the opportunity to pursue this because I stepped behind people that had obvious leadership. I am thankful that I was given this opportunity and to learn more strengths that God has blessed me with.
8. I GET TO SPEND MY 24th BIRTHDAY IN INDIA…. now how many people get to say that? India will be all squad month, meaning the entire squad will be living in the same area working under the same ministry. Although I’ve never been away from my family on my birthday/christmas, I get to spend it with the new family that I have made and that will make it so much more special!
9. I am loved and sought after by a gracious God. He tells me how much He loves me everyday by allowing my life to be such an adventure. He thinks I’m beautiful and a princess, and he tells me that everyday.
10. I am thankful for cookies, brownies, and anything sugary. I say this because I have not been able to partake in anything sweet for pretty much the majority of the past three months. I look forward to the day where I find a big chocolate brownie and indulge!
11. I’m thankful for 11 countries in 11 months. I have gotten/ will get to see so much this year and experience so many cultures, foods, people, and ministries. I am thankful that I am fully funded for this journey and all the people that support me. These past three months have been a whirlwind and it just feels as if I’ve been doing this my entire life.
