544 Reunited

Wow! What a whirlwind it has been within the past few weeks! On August 31, I flew back to NYC with my squad after our final debrief in South Asia. I spent a day in NYC with Alexandra, a close friend from college, and on September 1st, I traveled to Atlanta to see my parents and repack my bags for Grace’s (a lifelong friend) wedding in Edinburgh, Scotland. Literally I was in airports 5 consecutive days.

[Dad and I]

[Mom and I]

[Grace and I reunited after 3 years]

Needless to say, my processing environment after the race has looked a little differently than I expected. If you would have told me that I would have my initial processing post WR time in airports and in the UK, I would not have believed you. However, I’ve seen God’s sovereignty in this process. HE provided in major ways for this trip in forms of transportation, lodging, food, and new ministry connections. My time in Edinburgh was blessed. The theme of my week was encouraging the local church and being encouraged by them. God showed me yet again that He is the same everywhere. He is the same God along the dirt roads in Lwamata, Uganda as along the cobblestone streets in Edinburgh, Scotland. Worldwide there is a hunger among God’s people for more (future blog about this). Through my travels, I’ve noticed that the church is craving for change and is yearning for people to experience God’s love and power. They want to see their communities transformed for the Kingdom of God.

Now is the time for the question of the hour for readers, “Jacinda, what is next after the World Race?�

I am preparing to go to Gainesville for a few days for the Awakening, a worship conference and reunion for WR alumni. We are gathering together to remember what the LORD has done in our lives, what He is doing, and expecting greater things for tomorrow. After the Awakening, I am attending Searchlight, a retreat designed by Kingdom Dreams for World Racers who just returned from the field. The Kingdom Dreams leadership’s vision and desire is to help World Racers process their experiences from the WR, identify their dreams for the Kingdom of God, encourage them in their passions, and challenge them to take steps of action.

Over the next few weeks, I am going to reveal my heart on what I’ve learned from my World Race journey, and open the blog for questions. Please post any questions you have in the comment section below. I will answer these in a future blog once I return from Gainesville.

One lesson that has been highlighted this past week is that August 31 was not my final day on the World Race. My journey is just beginning. I view the World Race as a launching pad to my lifelong pursuit of seeking God on how to use my passions and talents for His Kingdom.

Re-entry prayer requests

The LORD has given me a few words on this season: whirlwind re-entry, rest, and trust. Please join me in prayer as I seek the LORD on clarity for the next steps. I’ve sensed for a while that the LORD will use the Awakening and Searchlight to bring clarity on the next steps.

• Awakening: September 15-17
• Searchlight: September 18-23
• Clarity on next steps
• Vision for Southeast and South Asia and more understanding of my role there
• Wisdom and discernment
• Financial provision
• Rest