Sri Lanka is the 5th country in my World Race Journey, and it was a hard one. When I stepped on land, I felt like I was going to have to fight through this month. Little and big things were going to happen, and I knew that I was going to have to actively choose Jesus, choose to look at the day and the people the way He does, and choose to try again every day. I am so grateful for the women I spent this month with and the ministry we were able to find. Here are a few of the things I am walking away with from this month:
I Refuse to Make Stereotypes
When we got to Sri Lanka, we were very confused by so many things. It felt like a mix of India and Africa. And then several of my squad-mates had a rough time with public transport. It would be easy to write off this country and say the people are rude or the men are awful. But I cannot do that. I’ve been like this since a child, although I didn’t realize it. I choose to believe people are good. I choose to believe that the world has good everywhere. When we make stereotypes, we miss the beauty that is in front of us. We miss those that are helpful and nice. We close off our ability to minister when we make stereotypes, and that is something I refuse to do.
Christians Have a Counter-World Culture
In every country we have been to, Christians (real followers of Christ) operate a little differently than their culture. There’s love and life in the people. The hospitality is amazing and the men, specifically, operate differently. Where others may look at women as less than or eye candy, Christian men are really respectful. We have been treated beautifully. As an all woman team, we do have to be on guard, and here in Sri Lanka, the men of the church we met have been so helpful and kind to us. It shows that when people live for Jesus, they look and act differently than the world does.
My Boyfriend is Wonderful
Part of my purpose and where my passion lies is in watching others step into their gifts and their purpose. That’s how I tend to lead. My team has never been centered around me. I never wanted to be the only voice that gets to be heard. I wanted to help each woman on my team learn that their voice matters and that the things they hear from God are valid. They matter to me, and in these past months, I have watched each of them step into who God made them to be a little more. One of the things that tends to happen though, is that I become not heard. And that is why I am so grateful for my boyfriend at home. He always says, “You take care of everyone else, so I am going to take care of you.” So in the moments where I feel like I could fade away, I am reminded that there is someone who will always see me and listen to my thoughts. I couldn’t be more grateful.
I Love the Ocean
I grew up on an island and loved to just sit on the beach and stare out into the ocean. It’s such a beautiful example of God’s power and peace to me. Living in Austin, I have been landlocked so staying on the beach this month has been refreshing to my soul. Playing in the waves or sitting on the beach having quiet time, I just like to be by such a magnificent creation. If only we could solve the sand in everything issue.
America Makes Christianity too Easy
There is such a dependence and passion for Jesus and the gospel that is absent in most believers in America. We have gotten lazy and chosen to view our faith as an extracurricular to fill up time after work. We follow Jesus as long as it fits our schedules. We play the part until it comes to sacrifice. And the scary thing is, the Bible talks about that type of faith, and it doesn’t turn out well for those people. I have spent two weeks watching the people of this church give their life for the gospel. From surf ministry to all night prayer, the members of the church are actively living out their faith. The pastor doesn’t appear only on Sundays. He is in everything. His assistant pastors aren’t just on staff. They are his disciples and they go and do whatever he says to do. Their testimonies are amazing, giving up their family and their way of life for Jesus. It’s been very inspiring and a reality check to the fact that American Christianity needs to reevaluate where they stand on their faith.
Sri Lanka has been hard. But in the same measure that it’s been hard, it has been refreshing and encouraging and so fun. The church we found is so on fire for God and for changing Sri Lanka; it’s been amazing joining with them. The people have been wonderful, the beach is gorgeous, and God has not forgotten this place. I’m so grateful to have gotten to come to a place I used to seek out on globes (I thought it was CandyLand. There’s a city called Kandy). We head to Thailand, and big changes for the squad are coming.
