*click ‘continue reading’ to see a video I created of my World Race Gap Year + Alumni Team Leading*
A year ago I landed on American soil. Feeling all sorts of things today but: “I pray that I never forget. That my actions were not done in vain. I pray that the poverty, hopelessness and injustice I witnessed would continue to break my heart. I pray the healing that occurred would be a reminder of God‘s faithfulness. I still don’t understand everything I saw. I can’t fully grasp it. Not many people understand. Sometimes I feel the need to defend myself, it was different than a week-long mission trip, it was more than just traveling or a vacation. But it doesn’t matter what people think I spent 12months doing because I know the ways I served, the things I saw & all that I grew from. I learned so much about God‘s character and His love for each of us, all around the world, from every background, ethnicity, shape and size. I met Jesus through the people who loved & taught me so much. Souchy, Kevin, Kim-Le, Chaddy, Mr.Sam, Teammates, Squad S, Deborah, Taylor, Luis, Ashley, Abdii, Maskerum, Arassa, Tariku, Keeso, Dawit, Derejeche, Hildana, Zenit, Mangistu, Rutt, Julio, Antonia, Maria, the women at Face of Justice, Alfredo, Squad B, Team Selah, Philiswa, Asiphe, Botso, Brian, Dolly, Hope, Mfanuthini, Jenna & David. just to name a few. I pray that I can look back on the people & places that hold such a special place in my heart and remember you Jesus. The long nights of worship. The dreadful task of doing 50 peoples’ dishes. The many moments of being in complete awe looking at God’s creation. The countless dance parties in the rain. The 107 never stop sweating weather. The # of planes, trains, buses, truck beds, tuk-tuks & koombi’s that I rode. Some of the HARDEST and some of the BEST moments of my life have been during these 12months of living overseas. Cambodia, Ethiopia, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Swaziland. I pray that everything I experienced & learned would continue to shape me as a person. Leaving everything I knew, cold showers, weird food, no wifi, sleeping on the floor, lack of any alone-time, no electricity, BUGS, getting sick, wrestling with doubt, who God is & who I am. It was all worth it. I’d do it again & again just to get a little closer to you God”
