This week has been full of lasts. My last team dinner, the last worship night together as a squad, my last time waking up in a room crowded by Chacos, sarongs, and backpacks.
Now it's time to say goodbye. I've packed my 50 lb. bag for the last time as a Racer and in a few short hours from now my squad will be boarding our last bus en route to the airport.
It's all so surreal. This is all I have known for 11 months. Living out of bags, sleeping on the ground, eating rice and beans, and taking public transportation. Ministering to the poor and needy. Sharing God's love with the least.
I'm thrilled to return home and spend time with family and friends and return to teaching. I'm anticipating the hot showers, my comfortable bed, homemade dinners, coffee dates, weekend trips, a new class of eager students, and returning to a routine.
But at the same time, I'm mourning the end of an incredible year of adventure and learning. I think about the street kids in Honduras, the university students in Ukraine, the Filipino children without families, and the sick and weak in Swaziland. My teammates have made this Race fun, full of laugher and tears. They are impressed upon my heart.
Jesus has expanded my heart and given me more love and compassion. He shown me how grand and extravagant His love is for this world.
These are things that I will not leave behind. Homeward bound, clinging to what the last eleven months have taught me and looking forward to the new and greater things in store.
Thank you to my supporters, encouragers, prayer warriors, family, and friends who have made this journey with me. The Skype and Face Time dates, emails, iMessages, handwritten notes, Scripture, prayers, encouraging words, understanding, empathy, and love has carried me through. I am so excited to see your smiling faces and to hug you tight.
