The 3 half marathons I’ve run all had one thing in common, the last mile was the hardest. The most recent one I did in Prescott was especially bruttle with the hills, altitude, and my lack of training. I admit I even had to walk a little bit of that last stretch because my legs seemed to turn into jello under the hot Arizona sun. With the crowd cheering me on I somehow managed to cross the finish line, and the moment I did the joy of the victory suddenly made the pain that proceeded totally worth it!
The world race isn’t a half marathon, but the days fly by and sometimes it feels like I’m just as out of breathe. Currently, I am experiencing the pain and difficulty of that “last mile.” To put it simply, I am tired. Living this extreme lifestyle for almost a year has done a number on me. I am reminded of that each morning as I catch a glimpse of my long scragly hair and puffy eyes in the small mirror tied from the bathroom widow.
But the finish line is in sight, God will get me there, and the joy in the victory of completion and all that He’s already done along the way makes every bit of the pain more than worth it! And when I land in America and catch my breathe, life will continue and there will be more races to run. But the ultimate goal and prize is always the same and Jesus will always sustain me to the end.
I couldn’t have thought up a better way to end the race if I tried. I am living with 5 women who constantly amaze me. These are women who see that there is so much more to this life than the American dream, their walks with Jesus are beautiful, and on top of it they are literally some of the funniest people I’ve ever met.
We are incredibly blessed this month with our hosts and living accomodations. From the minute we got to South Africa they have been so generous and hospitable. They are the kind of people you meet and instantly feel loved by. We get to live in a nice house inside of a care village for fostered children.
There are lots of opportunities for us this month like helping out at the English service at their church, spending time at a baby orphanage, visiting schools, ministering to people in the community, playing with the children in the village we’re living in, and encouraging people at a drug and rehab center. We also get to do a lot of fun things like caving and visiting a wildlife park.
So far, going to the baby orphanage has been one of the most impactful things to me. We learned that it’s fairly common in South Africa for women to throw their unwanted children into dumpsters or in fields. Recently, a baby was found dead in a dumpster and she was given a name and a proper burial. Spurred on by her story and motivated to end this, people in the community created a place where women can take babies they don’t want. It’s a weight sensitive lock box type contraption and after the baby is left the weight of the baby triggers authorities to be called and the baby is taken into proper care. Some of the babies we got to play with, hold, and feed at the orphanage had been left in a field or abandoned. It really moved my heart loving on these precious children.
This upcoming week we will be staying with a couple pastors and helping them with whatever they may need. In typical world race fashion we leave tomorrow and have no idea what that will look like yet, but I’m sure it will be great. The Lord reminds me again each day that I can fully trust Him and let go of the white knuckle grip of control I attempt to keep on my life.
I’m so excited for whatever the rest of the month may hold. South Africa is an absolutely beautiful place. It’s beyond encouraging how freely the Word of God is spoken here. Even in the high school we visited they read scripture each morning and hold corporate times of prayer and worship weekly which seems to be common in the schools. This country is a great way to transition back to the states as a lot of things feel very similar to me.
On November 14th we begin our final debrief with the squad in Durban which is a beautiful beach town. I will definitely post atleast one more blog then!
All my love -Jenna
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners so that you do not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:1-3
“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” phil. 3:14
