Month 1 – Philippines
I’m riding on a bus with 23 of my squadmates. We just got off a plane from Manila and are headed to Malaybalay for our ministry for the month. I’m staring out the window as we drive on the winding, hilly road through tropical forest. In the distance I see the clear, blue waters of the sea. It’s gorgeous. I am in awe of this crazy adventure and my amazing God who called me to it. I love my life.
Month 2 – Cambodia
It’s a Saturday morning in Phnom Penh. I’m riding in a tuk tuk on my way to help the nurses and midwives at the free mom and baby clinic they put on. It feels so good to have a few minutes of time to myself on the ride there. I’m checking out the motos with entire families on them and the rice paddies near the river. The air is cooler than expected. I’m getting a chance to use my pharmacy education on the Race. I love my life.
Month 3 – Malaysia
I’m riding on a bus from Kuala Lumpur to Penang with15 women from ouR squad heading to wo-manistry. It’s pouring outside. We have a beautiful view of the amazing, modern architecture in KL from the highway. As we venture further it’s mile after mile of some sort of palm tree – green everywhere I look. All of a sudden the roof of our “VIP” bus starts leaking on 4 of us (depending on which way the bus shifts.) All we can do is laugh, and pull out an empty Subway bag to catch the rain. I love my life.
Month 4 – Thailand
I’m trying my best to sleep on an overnight bus from Phuket to Bangkok. I put in my ipod and fall asleep. The next thing I know they stop the bus and wake us up for a bathroom and dinner break. I am completely out of it. I get off the bus, but really have no idea where I am or what is going on. I stop at a table where some of my squadmates are sitting and stare at them in confusion without speaking. I go to the bathroom, get back on the bus, and try to fall asleep again. I love my life.
Month 5 – Rwanda
I’m riding in a taxi that’s tearing out of the parking lot where I thought we were catching our bus from Kigali, Rwanda to Nairobi, Kenya. We keep asking the driver where he’s going, but he doesn’t speak English. I call Pastor Moses who’s in the other taxi with the rest of our group to ask him what’s going on. Turns out we missed our bus (terrible traffic that morning) and so we are attempting to chase it down. We do. Throw our bags under the bus and say a hurried good bye to Pastor Moses. I fall into my seat relieved. I love my life.
Month 6 – Kenya
I’m sitting on a mini-bus from Nakuru to Nairobi. I’m headed to Nairobi to meet up with Michael for a day of planning before the rest of the squad arrives for a mini-debrief. I’m staring out the window at beautiful African plains and zebras as I reflect on the wonderful month God gave me with Team United, Pastor Ayub, Mama Ruth, Timmy, and Tiffy. I am in love with Kenya, and precious orphaned babies, and street children. I’m so so thankful for the experiences God blessed me with! I absolutely love my life!
Month 7 – Tanzania
You guessed it. I’m sitting on another bus. I sat on a lot of them this month. This particular one from Dar Es Salaam to Iringa. About halfway through the ride we start to drive through a national park. The scenery is gorgeous and we are suddenly on a mini-safari. My personal highlight: first time seeing elephants (my favorite animal) in the wild. So much more amazing than any time I’ve seen elephants in captivity! They are simply majestic! I love my life!
Month 7 (Part 2 – cause I couldn’t leave it out) – Zanzibar
I’m resting in a hammock. The sea is 5 shades of blue, green, aqua, teal, turquoise – stunning. The sun is the most intense I’ve ever felt it. The sand is white. I am exclaiming with child-like enthusiasm every few minutes, “Guys, look at the water!!!” I feel like I’ve separated myself from my responsibilities as a squad leader for a couple days. It’s a glorious feeling! I love my life!
Month 8 – Nepal
I’m sitting on a couch in a restaurant in Thamel. Sitting with me are Michael, Ajay, Raja, and Rakesh. It’s our last night in Thamel and we are saying good bye to the precious boys who’ve stolen my heart this month. We linger at the table as it’s clear no one wants to leave. Rakesh keeps inviting me to come to the dance that they’ll be going to on Sunday. I keep reminding him that I’ll be in India on Sunday. I’m praying for them as we part ways – that Holy Spirit would hover around them until the day that they come to know Jesus and then He’d fill them. I love my life.
Month 9 – India
I’m sitting on a plane from Delhi to Istanbul, Turkey. Wow, I am glad to put this month behind me. I’m so thankful for the necessary, refining work God did in me in month 9, but man, it was not fun and I’m not too sad to say good bye to India. But just when I thought I could easily say I’d never be back, God got me with a last day encounter with a boy begging with his little sister in his arms. Now India has a piece of my heart as well. My God is a genius and I love my life!
Month 10 – Romania
I’m sitting on the floor of my bedroom crying my eyes out. I’m broken, I’m sick, I’m tired, I’m lonely. I don’t know how I can keep going. But out of the brokenness comes greater intimacy and a daily romancing by Jesus and Romania becomes one of my favorite countries on the Race. Casa Shalom was a delight with puppies, a trampoline, roses and more roses, and the amazing, inspirational Becky! The gypsy people are in my opinion probably the most beautiful people group on the planet. I love my life – even when I’m broken?! Really, I just love my Jesus!
Month 11 – Ukraine
