The smell of cigarette smoke.
Prayer beads slipping through fingertips.
Bus exhaust filling the streets.
Fresh fish and the sea breeze tangling my hair.
Hot tea melting sugar cubes.
Vendors bargaining with foreigners.
Cold bottles of milk clinking on the door knob.
Then, I experience “saudade”; a word with Portuguese origin that is defined as a longing, a melancholy, a desire for what was. It is a word that provides meaning to a feeling of not belonging to one world or the other, rather finding oneself somewhere in between.
As most of you probably already know, I spent most of my childhood in Istanbul, Turkey where my family served as missionaries. My earliest memories are shaped by the sights and smells of a place that is very dear to my heart and that I once called home. After moving back to the States, I realized how much this foreign culture had shaped who I am and how much I long to experience more of the world. Although I do not have a deep sense of belonging in any one physical place, I believe the Lord has given me a nomadic heart that finds rest in Him. My heart desires to experience various cultures of the world where I find evidence of Him and pieces of home.
When I first heard about the World Race, I was overjoyed to discover something that caused two of my heart’s deepest desires to collide: foreign cultures and spreading the name of Jesus! Growing up as a third culture kid has allowed me to have a unique perspective of the world and growing up as a missionary kid has caused me to want to advance the kingdom of God where His truth needs to be heard. I am overwhelmed as I begin to fall on my knees in prayer over the 11 countries I will be traveling to throughout 11 months beginning in August of 2016.
So, YOU’RE INVITED. You are invited to join with me on this journey across the world. I would be honored if you joined in step with me first and foremost in prayer. I invite you to take my hand and follow our Father’s lead to the 11 countries He has called me to by name. My hope and prayer is that as my life changes throughout this experience, the Lord would tug on your heart as well and allow you to play a part in expanding the kingdom of heaven!
