Sitting in my room, writing this blog after traveling around the world feels just as surreal as it did last year when I began this journey.
The World Race is over and I still find myself wondering, “Where did the time go?”
I admit that during the second half of my Race I did less writing about the Race and more living the Race – trying to soak up every moment because I knew it was quickly coming to an end.
I describe my last three months as, “The Three S’s” – South Africa, Swaziland and The States. During this time, I have learned some great lessons.
South Africa
During the month of ministry in South Africa, my team and I partnered in ministry with Cross Generation Church in Middleburg, South Africa. Pastor Renier Pelser, our ministry contact, kept us on our toes with the spontaneity he brought to our day-to-day life. One day we were handing out food to families living in poor communities and the next we were panning for gold. One day we were ministering to children in the local school and the next we were visiting a crocodile farm.
This month of ministry taught me the greatest lesson of my World Race experience. That is – Doing Ministry is Doing Life. On the days when we weren’t passing out food or singing songs for kids, really challenged me to find ways to minister and show the love of Christ through unconventional ways.
Swaziland
In Swaziland, during the last month of the World Race our entire squad was together at El Shaddai Orphanage. It was an answer to all of our prayers, ending this amazing journey all together at a ministry that is located on top of a mountain!
Each member of our squad was paired with a “buddy,” a child or teen) living at the orphanage. During the day when our buddies were in school, we worked on various construction projects and after school we would help our buddies with their homework, hangout with them and accompany them to whatever recreational activity they were doing that day.
My buddy’s name is Gift and she truly was a gift to me. She is a brilliant, beautiful and happy 12-year old with a lot of spunk! She and I had a lot of fun together.
Some mornings during the week, my squad mates and I would get up early to run with some of the children before they attended school.
One morning, I attempted to run up this beast of a hill and was struggling big time! The next thing I know, three little ones with snotty noses came along side me. On their way to school, they grabbed my hands and began running with me all the way back to the gate.
I wish someone had been there to get a picture of this because it is a beautiful image of how The Lord is with us. When we are running the course of life and the road gets ruff, He is right there grabbing our hands, running with us until we cross the finish line!
“’I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.”
Philippians 3:12-14 The Message
The States
Since I’ve been back in the States and have had time think through this amazing year I’ve had, I am encouraged by the people I’ve met all around the world who are living out the calling God has placed on their lives.
They encourage me to continue doing the same and for the time being, my mission field is right here in the United States. My decision to venture out has completely changed the trajectory of my life and now I know I’m headed in the right direction.
Thank you to all who have supported me this year. Please continue to keep me in your prayers as I walk in the things God has called me to do.
My better days are still ahead of me!
