My favorite moment so far came on the plane ride from Hong Kong to Manila. I hadn’t gotten as much sleep as I would’ve liked when we flew from LA to Hong Kong and as we taxied to take-off I put my hat over my face and tried to catch some Zs. I started to smell the great breakfast that was being served and decided to take my hat off my face so as not to be dismissed as sleeping by the cabin crew. When I looked up from my attempted slumber I noticed a plate of breakfast in front of me already (a ham and egg sandwich with a fresh fruit cup). I looked at Jill next to me who smiled and said, “We got you some breakfast!” I was delighted and reminded of Jill’s defining kindness.
As I bit into the slice of apple that was in my fruit cup Jill asked, “So what’s the verdict?” I said it was good and asked what she and Kelly (who were both in my row) had thought. Jill said, “Oh we’re still waiting for ours.” I love my WR sisters. Not only did they think to get me some breakfast while I tried to sleep, they served me mine before they had even received their own. When I thought about the way these women love to love, I was again struck by God’s divine provision in placing them on my team.
After two days of traveling to finally arrive at our destination, I was again floored by the commitment of our World Race leaders. For this entire week our coaches Gary and Lisa Black have been staying in Manila with us to help complete our training. I could barely tolerate the hours of flying we had to endure even knowing the experience that lay ahead. I found solace in the fact that never again in the next year would I need to take a 14-hour flight. Gary and Lisa flew the same distance we did only to stay here for a week and do it all again to get home. They left their six children with, as stories would indicate, less-than-capable babysitters. And they will do it all again next month to meet us in Hong Kong. These people are changing their lives, and drastically, to serve us, to equip us for the coming year because they believe God can and will do amazing things with us.
By far the most astounding aspect of the race so far has been the incredible people with get to work under and alongside. I know God’s hand is on this process because He has raised up so many Godly people to make this program great. I am truly blessed to be here with them. As they bless me I feel the breath of God on my life and know He is with me. Jill and Kelly, Gary and Lisa, and countless others are serving as God in my life. I can’t wait to get to know them better, and with them to get to know Him better.
