Here’s another thing I wasn’t ready for! The LoRd’s definition of messy. My goodness. Let me explain.
I think I have shared with you all before that at the beginning of this team, the LoRd shared with Alex that “It’s going to be messy”. We had nothing to do but pray protection over ourselves and march on. Throughout the entirety of this season, even up to the point of last month, He has stayed true to that word.
It all started off with retrieving a new passport for Alex, her fractured vertebrae, bed rest, and mom coming out to visit and help out, it continued on with a sprained ankle and bed bugs, and then we entered into a season of constant unrest. We moved around every three days or so during the last bit of our time in Europe, made it through the Asia transition and the week where almost every person fell prey to the bug we caught in Indonesia, but we didn’t really experience a whole lot of peace until we left the refugee center in Bogor. Thankfully, we had a sweet time together as a squad during a leadership development weekend before moving on to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. We flew together and said goodbyes to the other team until next time, realistically in Thailand the following month. Our team, recognizing our desperate need for a few days of chill and time to process all that had happened thus far, purposefully booked a place outside of the big city for our own little time of reflection, processing, and preparation for what was next in Asia.
That time was precious and went by far too fast. The LoRd laid a few things on my heart that I decided to share, not knowing if it was more of a personal word or something for the team. He showed me a picture of a log rooted in the ocean “standing firm amongst the waves”, and He laid hospital ministry on my heart. We’d all heard that one before… Once again, we moved on unsure of what was in store but thankful for the word of warning and prepared to move to Singapore!
For those of you who know a bit more of my story, you may have heard me talk about the Kraft’s. When I was just starting college, this family and I got connected through the web of babysitters in the Quad Cities. What started out as babysitting on a Friday night, turned into dog and house-sitting while they were away, to then watching their kids for an extended period of time while they went on vacation. Over the years they have so generously blessed, supported, and encouraged me in multiple ways and have really become a sweet second family. Last October, right after I had officially committed to the World Race, Amy called me to ask if I would consider moving into their home when I got back to the states. Her husband Jeff got a promotion that required their family of four to move to Singapore for the next few years. Not only was I again overwhelmed by their generosity, but by their willingness to allow Jesus to work through them and play such a significant role in my story. What a blessing and peace of mind it was to know that before I had even left for the race, the LoRd was already going before me and working blessings together for when I got back.
They moved to Singapore during the last bit of July and boldly accepted our team of six’s request to come visit just two short weeks later. From the moment we got there, we were completely spoiled with the most incredible place to stay, a view looking over the city that I’ll never forget, and all kinds of baked goods and American foods we haven’t tasted in months! We ate homemade cinnamon rolls, strawberry bread, waffles with maple syrup, burgers, and ranch dressing to name a few, and I’m convinced they were straight from heaven. While we were all raving about the presence of familiar food, a fully equipped kitchen, even clean carpet, etc., we noticed that Joshua was experiencing extreme stomach pain. He tried to fight it off for the first few days but finally decided it was best to go to the hospital to get checked out. Thankfully he went in. He was admitted for the next three nights and four days and diagnosed with pancreatitis. Hospital ministry.
I’d say this altered our plans quite a bit but really, this team has gotten really good at being flexible and rolling with the punches. We supported Joshua as best as we could by going back and forth to see him, but also in prayer as he started wondering if the best decision would be to go home to continue on with a familiar doctor he could follow up with. The Kraft’s were so amazingly patient and kind, willing to help with whatever we needed and continued to graciously provide all that they could as we navigated more insurance issues and tried to maintain our daily tasks with our leader in the hospital. Joshua was eventually released but came home with that unshakeable peace that going home was going to be the best option. The news and the decision came as a pretty big shock considering how fast everything happened, but none of us could blame him for deciding to go home. That really seemed like the wisest decision, but that in no way lessened the pain of making an impromptu trip to the airport to see him off. In the midst of it all, Jackie and Forrest too have decided to end their race early due to fundraising road blocks. We started as 15, and it looks as if we will be ending with 9.
I’ve learned so much this year about working together as a team and living together in community through the good and bad. We have to continue to remind ourselves that this is a marathon and not a sprint. Every time someone goes home, the mental game seems to get harder and harder. But I’ve also learned so much about the LoRd and His faithfulness throughout every aspect of this journey. I’m realizing more and more that as my stability and confidence used to depend on relationships and circumstances, of course that made transitions tough. When the ground we stand on is taken out from under us, of course we fall, stumble, and struggle through transitions. The lesson may seem ever so obvious from the outside looking in, but it’s been a pivotal, slow, process of change for me to stand instead in my knowledge of who He is, in my identity in Christ, and to rely on my relationship with Him to get me through these transitions and this season of MESSY. He is consistent, He is sure, He is steady, He is dependable. He is everything, and He is the one whom it is all about. He is the one who makes it possible to stand firm amongst the waves.
Here’s a few snapshots of this sweet time:)
Team Boundless – a pretty classy group of humans if you ask me.
Botanical Gardens
Mr. and Mrs. Kraft!
Caden and Ainsley:)
In trying to find Chinatown to meet and connect with locals, I was getting frustrated with our maps app. This man, Tan, came out of nowhere, asked where we were going, and so willingly dropped whatever he was doing to walk us there. It was an incredible reminder of Jesus and His faithfulness in my life.
Chinatown – culture on culture on culture.
Little India… a pretty good representation of Big India!
Louis Vuitton Island… Because the two shops on the mainland aren’t enough. Plus, if you spend $3,000, you get a free limo ride home. Just so you know.
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What a grand time it was checking out the downtown area. In this boat on top of this hotel, there is a mall, infinity pool, and park. Because why not, right?
Stay beautiful, Singapore.
