What’s your favorite ______?
You can fill in this question with whichever thing about traveling fits: food, country, host, ministry, adventure day, etc. This is possibly one of the easiest questions to ask someone on the race, or even ask myself as a racer. It is not as easy to answer however.
If there’s one thing that I’ve learned about the world while going from country to country, it’s that we are all so similar. Our cultures and languages, our skin colors and facial features change, but we are so similar beneath that. And while we are similar, the Bible is the exact same. The God I started following in Minnesota is the exact same one that believers follow in cities and villages across Central America, Africa, and Asia!
I know I know, this may not be a shock or any new information that you don’t know already. But I’ve discovered how different it is for me to know things versus knowing and experiencing them this year. From the beginning in Honduras, I attended a church service with my team and host that was completely in Spanish. The Pastors sermon was on the body of Christ, in Ephesians 4. I have only heard this passage preached in English (pretty much a given for me) and admittedly I have almost always pictured different Americans with varying interests and personalities as the body of Christ. There couldn’t have been a better way for the start of my race to get my attention on the body of Christ around the world.
I have heard the body of Christ preached in Honduras and Costa Rica, I have heard the same encouragement to serve in missions with God in overflow in Nicaragua, Vietnam, and Botswana. I have heard teaching on the armor of God in Costa Rica, Panama and Thailand. I have heard the story of Christ’ death and resurrection, His love for us the same in Nicaragua as I did in Indonesia.
The body of Christ is so consistent, and I’ve heard stories of God working the same ways to reach people in Cambodia that I did in Panama! Each one of these countries and people groups are such a unique reflection of Christ, and such a crucial part to the body of Christ today.
“There is one body and one spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and in all.” Ephesians 4:4-6
As I’m starting month 8 of this 11 month journey, I have favorite foods and favorite clothing. I could never choose a favorite landscape, but I could tell you the favorite for today. But for how to tell you a favorite month or country, I think that’s a stretch. Even in countries and ministries that I found more difficult, I heard the same God preached, the same encouragement from the scripture, and the same challenges to push in more. Even with difficult times, I’ve seen more of a picture of who God is, and the character that He has. Which is worth all of the hard times for me without hesitation.
I was lucky to end my time in Nicaragua on a mountain lookout spot, praying over our brothers and sisters in Jesus that live there. And I was blessed to be there as they prayed for me and my team continuing on to new countries. They ended with praying for our return to the states, and for how we can serve and love people in our own country. This shows the body of Christ to me. This is prayer on behalf of others, and encouragement to continue pursuing Christ. I will no longer read the passage in Ephesians and simply picture the differences within the body of Christ in America. I will see the Christians I have seen in each country this year praying and following the call of the same God I serve. I will cling to the truth that God is so much bigger than I can conceive, and His truth is true throughout the whole world! His goodness and loving kindness is as present in Cambodia as it is in Minnesota. And His Kingdom is so much bigger than what I have seen or experienced. I hope to never forget the brothers and sisters in Christ as they strive to live for God the same as I do even when I return to Stacy, Minnesota.
So, my favorite, is seeing each country and hearing the same words of God in every language and people group. My favorite is how connected we are! Not one place or one people, but all of us together.
