Every time I get to writing a blog on the World Race, I think about writing a detailed description of our current ministry and all the people we’ve met and how they impact our lives and vice versa. And then, I never do..
If I were a follower of my own blog posts I’d probably be wondering how all those posts got lost along this Race. That is what readers are really interested in after all. That is what I looked for most when I scoured the updated blogs by Racers, long before I came on the Race.
In my own defense, if I wrote about all that stuff, my blogs wouldn’t be as good [not saying that they’re top notch but anywho]. I like to write about things God has been showing me, things that He has put heavy on my heart. And most of those lessons haven’t come from serving at an orphanage or doing bar ministry, as much as I LOVE the ministry aspect of every single month. Most of the things I have learned about God or myself and the plans He has for my life have come from just living the journey. Doing life. Living in a different culture [which includes the culture of whatever country we’re in, but ALSO “World Race culture”].
For example, earlier today I thought about how easy it is to escape unwanted social situations at home. This is something I’ve turned over in my mind again and again and again [go read any of my previous blog posts]. At home I can spend time away from people who get on my nerves. But here on the Race, since escaping is not an option, you can either stay frustrated or choose to respond more like how Christ would. Often times what that looks like on the Race is, developing patience. I have learned how to endure things and people by becoming more patient and loving others when I haven’t especially wanted to.
Okay, maybe that’s not a really big deal in the grand scheme of traveling the world to impact God’s kingdom.
But I think it’s reason enough to blog about because it will forever change the way I do ministry. Because I’m no longer the same person! God placed me into these situations where I had no choice but to change and He made it go on and on AND ON, for 11 months. Talk about endurance..
Something else God has shown me that may be contrary to what people back home care to hear about is that being away from home, away from America, has made me really miss it. I have friends on this Race, who, in a few months time will be returning to Romania, India, or the Philippines because that is where their heart is. It’s beautiful. But being away from my home country has truly made my heart grow fonder. Though I still want to travel abroad, I believe God is calling me to full time ministry in America.
I can’t say exactly where in America yet, but its funny; the other day I was walking through the small city of Manzini, Swaziland and it didn’t make me think of how much I’ve missed being in Africa or dream about doing ministry here full time. It actually caused me to start daydreaming about some of the neighborhoods I worked in near downtown Tampa.. and it reminded me a lot of Brooklyn in NYC.
[bus station in Manzini, Swaziland]
Oh how I miss Brooklyn, where I could get my fill of Africa, ghetto fashion, and hipster coffee shops & thrift stores all in one.
Anyways, as my Race begins to come to a close these are some random things that have been on my heart. I would LOVE your continual prayers as God directs my path for life after the Race, and that I would continue to implement the change that He has done in my life, when I get home.
I’m convinced that the journey is only getting started.
My deadline to have $14,500 in my account is April 15th! That is tomorrow, and I’m still $500 away from that goal, and $1,500 away from being fully funded. Please consider donating by clicking the ‘Support Me’ tab to the left, or pledging so that I may finish out the last month and a half of the Race. Thank you so much! Love you all.
Love,
E
