As the half way mark has already approached this World Race experience, I wanted to celebrate it in some way. I thought about what might be some common threads throughout my first 6 months of the trip, and it occurred to me that I have somewhat consistently shared a similar message in every country that I have traveled. This message has been one of perseverance in faith, giving God our whole heart, and leaning on God through times of suffering.
I thought I would share a bit more context of each message from each country. Enjoy! (I have included pictures of the events that I spoke at and also scenic views from each country because why not!).
Ukraine
– It was the last week in Ukraine, and our partner church (Salvation church) was hosting an English camp retreat, inviting those who had participated in the English classes to enjoy a weekend away for more learning and fun! During the English camp, each of my team members were asked to share a message or testimony. When it was my turn, I shared my story through the image of a rollercoaster. I described the high points of my faith journey, the low points, and the middle points. I shared that where I am now feels like a middle point on the ride, not high nor low but kind of lacking thrill. It feels neutral and a little bit blah. I shared that this middle point on the ride takes obedience and perseverance. I finished up the message explaining that perhaps the fact that we are even daring to ride the rollercoaster is pleasing to God.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight Proverbs 3:5-6
Romania
– Towards the middle of September, during a day when we were passing out invitations to a church event in a neighborhood in Dragonesti, Romania, we came to one house. The neighborhood was quite poor and there were 4 or 5 members of a family outside their house relaxing on a bench. We walked up and handed them an invitation. The Romanian translator with us asked me to share something from the Bible. As I quickly scrambled to think of something on the spot (as this so so often happens I have learned 6 months in…), I thought of the same verse, Proverbs 3:5-6. I remember sharing that I am someone who really likes to figure things out. I tried to grasp a relatable idea for the family, so I shared that I struggle to understand how bad things happen. I shared that God has been teaching me to persist in trusting Him even when I don’t understamd why terrible things can happen. I shared that I strive to trust Him because I know He is good.
Albania
– In October, we found a small church looking for helpers with their women’ss church on Sundays. This church just so happened to include mostly women from the Roma or Gypsie population. When we met with the two women who run the church, they were so thankful. They would not stop telling us how they had prayed for help just the same night that I sent them a fb message. It was an amazing ministry, and the first time we helped with the church I was asked to prepare a message. I decided to share my story and how following Christ takes perseverance, but I decided to emphasize that God wants us to share our whole heart with Him. I knew the Roma women were mostly mothers struggling to raise their children basically alone and in severe poverty. It was a message towards sharing all of their struggles with God when things get hard. I emphasized the need for persistence in honesty towards God.
Vietnam
– Towards the end of the month in Vietnam, a few of my teammates and I were invited to share a message at the youth group for University aged students. I decided to share the story of Hannah in 1 Samuel 1:1-2:2. I discussed how Hannah poured her whole heart out to God (so much so that people thought she was drunk). I explained to the group that Hannah is someone who lived out her praise to God in both joy and sadness. We often think of praise as only happiness, but I emphasized that praising God can also be sharing your sadness and pain with Christ too…like Hannah did. Towards the end, I finished up with telling the group that I think it is important to discuss praising God through painful times as well as happy times because everyone will come to a point in life when it is difficult to keep following Christ, and these are the times that persistence is vital. But this persistence doesn’t have to look strong. God just wants us to stay engaged with Him- as Hannah did.
Cambodia
– Right after Christmas, that it was my turn to share for the women’s Bible study that we led in the village just outside of Siem Reap. I had just watched the recording of the Christmas Eve service from my home church and it inspired me to share a similar message to this village. I decided to share a message on the Christmas story but instead of the pretty picture that it is always told as, I focused on the difficult journey that Mary and Joseph had to persevere through. I discussed the idea of changes in our plans and how this can be devastating. I shared that even when our situations are trying, as Mary and Joseph’s journey was, God is unchanging and will always be with us. It is up to us to persist in faith and look for Him in everything, even through the change of plans.
Thailand
– One of the coolest things that we did in Thailand was plan a teacher appreciation night. At this event, we focused the night on thankfulness and gratitude. I was picked to share a message that was relatable to the teachers on giving thanks. Yes again, I emphasized the point that we give thanks for everything (1 Thes 5:18) whether it is good or bad. I explained that even when life gets difficult, we know that God is a good Father who wants us to persist in faith and gratitude towards even the hardest of situations. I shared that even when life get difficult, we can stay thankful when we look for God’s love in everything. And the only reason why we give this thanks…. even when times get hard… is because He first gave us the gift of His love.
So from this reflection, it feels important that God has led me to share this similar message to now 6 different countries around the world! The message of persevering through times of suffering I believe is an essential thing to talk about and help people through. I believe starting conversations about hard situations is something I have been led to do throughout my life, and I am glad I have been able to use my voice to speak this boldly!
Heres to the second half!
