World Race Expectations

1. I expect to be utterly and humbly graced and forever changed by the almighty presence of Jesus
2. I expect to learn what it truly means to be accepted and accept others as brothers and sisters of Christ

 

3. I expect to see God’s presence transform my communities perspective on his presence in the world

 

4. I expect to be hungry, tired, smelly, sore, and wake up with a smile on my face..even if it’s in a room full of bugs

 

5. I expect to come away from this not with answers but with questions

 

6. I expect to eat new and interesting foods

 

7. I expect to fail at living in intentional community but I also expect to learn from my mistakes

 
 

8. I expect to question just how my ministry is changing lives or my own

 

9. I expect to leave the burdens of my troubled past on the race

 

10. I expect to forgive myself and others in ways I never thought possible

 

11. I expect to be frustrated with language barriers but expect my love for music, dancing, and simple smiles to speak when words cannot

 

12. I expect to lose physical strength and stature but in return grow strong in the spirit of Jesus Christ

 

13. I expect to fall in love with strangers, faraway lands, ministry hosts, and my team

 
 

14. I expect to cry tears of joy, and unfortunately tears of sorrow

 
 

15. I expect to stand in awe and disbelief at the undeniable presence of the lord in the most gut wrenching circumstances

 

16. I expect to pick up my cross each day for the lord and give my testimony to each and every person that the lord tells me is in need of it

 
 

17. I expect to be nervous when it comes to spreading the gospel, but I also expect the lord to intervene and give me his unwavering peace and confidence.  As 2 Corinthians 4:7 states “we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us”.

 

18. I expect to have uneasiness about the world’s suffering but I also expect to have a sense of empowerment that with the lord is in control

 

19. I expect to be homesick, not of the place per se but more so missing the luxuries of clean showers, beds, burgers, clean laundry, and air conditioning

 

20. I expect to read the word and pray more intentionally than I ever have in my life

 

21. I expect to fall in love with Christ and his kingdom. I expect to see just how deep and unconditional his love reaches to his followers

 

22. I expect to give my time, worldly possessions, thoughts, and heart to those I meet and still not fully understand just how much Jesus gave to us.

All in all I am hesitant to have expectations for this journey as I know it will be a year like no other. From my extensive blog creeping I know that racers warn against having expectations. Races thus far in my life have consisted of running track. My team has thrived by a few main mottos.

1) Celebrate life

2) The journey is the goal

3) Run recklessly, agressively, and enthusiastically

These will be my principles as I prepare for the race and I am anxiously awaiting the Lord's guidance on this journey.