On Saturday, July 7th, my friend Amy hosted a BBQ on my behalf and invited a group of 40 friends over at her beautiful residence overlooking the skyline in San Francisco. There I communicated with them for the first time face to face about my World Race.
A Lao girl can sure throw a party. There were homemade Laotian style chicken wings, papaya salad (spicy!), bratwurst, potatoe salad, I think I did see a few party crashers that may have came just for the food.
Here's what I wanted to tell those of you that were in attendance:
– – –
Dear friends,
You made my day, my week, my month.
Among the forty of you are some of my dearest and oldest friends I've made after moving to California, as I stood there watching my worlds colliding between my Southbay friends and my SF friends, my church friends and my writer friends, new friends that I met earlier that day serving at Cityteam, strangers I met moments before, I was overwhelmed with emotion. God, Thank you for bringing the people.
After lots of grubbing and socializing, I got up to stand in front of you. Before I uttered a word, I just looked around the room and watched everyone looking back at me, watching each and every one of you smiling at me and waiting in anticipation.
As soon as I spoke, I knew that this moment wasn't about me. There's nothing I could possibly say or show you that can capture the glory that God wants to reveal to you. I can't steal His moment nor is it my intention to impress you with my speech or my action.
But I had to say something, so I told you the story of how I came to decide on the race. And I read this blog that spoke to my heart about how even changing one young man's heart for God is worth leaving the comfort zone of my life here.
Thank you for listening intently, and laughing at my jokes, and asking good questions. But mostly for supporting me and praying for my next steps.
After the BBQ, I went from having $0 to $1000 for my World Race funds in just a few hours. I'm speechless.
God is confirming to me through you that I just need to faithfully do what's in front of me. Don't worry about doing it right or perfect. Just Do. He will take care of the rest.
Thank you. I pray for much blessing and reward in your support and generosity.
In Him,
Jackie
