One thing I have learned in the past week is this:
Where G*d is, joy is found and where joy is found strength
can be had and when you have strength from G*d you can finish strong.
Leaving Africa was really difficult on many levels. On one hand, going to Africa was a dream come
true. I had longed to go to Africa my
entire life and I when I finally got there it stole my heart. Then that dream came to an end and it was
time to move on to something completely different. On the other hand, Africa left me
exhausted…dirty…drained…feeling like there was no way I was going to finish
another 3 months of this.
When we arrived in Thailand all I wanted to do was
sleep. I knew in my heart that I was
going to finish the race and it was going to be great but trying to convince my
head of this was another matter. I was
fighting a bacterial infection and just completely over being sick and tired
all the time so that didn’t help matters much.
And then Chuck, Selena, Caroline and Aaron arrived. Four people, fresh from the States, sent to
love and encourage us…to get our spirits back in the right place. And I began spending time with people on my
squad who are so good at building me up and speaking life into me. W*rship nights were being held and I began to
feel the love and happiness that only G*d can give.
On Easter Sunday I woke up feeling like a burden had been
lifted from my chest. I had the most
amazing day of fellowship with some of my favorite people and a lot of good,
quality rest with G*d and I began to feel like a new person. I was able to go out to dinner at this
fabulous seafood restaurant with Chuck and Selena and they continued to pour
more of G*d’s love and joy into me. I arrived
back at the hotel for w*rship like I was walking on a cloud feeling beyond
prepared and excited for the next 3 months.
And I realized something. When you pursue G*d, He reciprocates. I was reaching out to Him, desperate for strength for the last leg of
the race and He provided it. He not only
showed me His love during times of w*rship but He sent people like Selena and
Caroline along with Skype calls with my parents and sister to love on me in such a G*dly way that it brought so much
joy to my life. Joy from G*d. And when you have joy that is from your He*venly
Father it brings strength. And when you
have strength from above you realize that 3 more months is a snap…you realize
that it is only 3 more countries that I have the opportunity to show G*d’s love
to. And when you G*d on your side, you
can do anything.
“But those who trust in the L*rd will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like
eagles. They will run and not grow
weary. The will walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 41: 31
