Part of the Process

This weekend we were so blessed to be able to leave work early on Friday to spend two days at the beaches for a little R&R.

We took a five hour bus ride up the coast to a small beach town and stayed at a campground resort. We slept in tents (well, i couldn’t cause it was too hot-see second to last picture). The resort was very hip and chill with many backpackers coming in and out.

It was truly one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever been too.

My team and I shared stories and laughter which deepened our relationships. One thing we joked about was the initial shock when we entered into a world of what felt like being back in America.

English speaking people, filling voids with cigarettes, alcohol and laziness.

It’s been a couple months since we have immersed ourselves in that environment, so it was definitely strange to say the least.

Before going into the weekend, I knew I wanted to just relax and enjoy a schedule free weekend, but I also wanted conversations. Rather that be with my girls or strangers. I asked the Lord to give me some good conversations, since I thrive off of listening and learning from people so different than me.

Sunday morning I woke up extremely anxious. So I took a walk along the beach to clear my mind and find some peace. When I returned back to my lounge chair, a cute Canadian guy, who I had met the night before at dinner, came walking up and asked if he could join me.

We sat on the beach chairs for about an hour watching the sun rise above our head. He was a very lost 21 year old, trying to find happiness in experimenting with other men, drugs, and even Buddhism.

Most of the conversation had me so shocked and interested in his reasonings behind not believing in my Father and how content he was with his curiosity mentality in all the wrong things.

I shared the g0spel with him as much as I could. I was just as vulnerable and open with my life and walk before I followed Abba and what it’s like now. He was just as shocked with my story as I was with his.

When I left the conversation he stood up, and respectfully said, thanks for chatting with me, I’ve never talked to a Chr1st1an who actually listened and was interested in my life and believes or lack there of. The way you explain your Father in your life sounds beautiful and I respect him.

I share this story with you, because I was hit with all kinds of emotions during our talk. Evangelizing is something I’m not great at and it makes me very nervous.

I didn’t think I did a very good job cause I didn’t tell him exactly what I’ve practiced at training camp, or leadership training class, etc.

But what I was comforted by and realized was when it comes to planting a seed, we don’t know what part of the process we are in. It’s not our job to know, it’s our job to continue the harvesting.

Maybe soil needs to be deeper for the root to grow, or the seed needs a lot of water or maybe just a little bit more water before the first bloom is grown.

“I planted, Apollos watered, bu g0d gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only g0d who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are g0ds  fellow workers. You are g0ds field, His building.” – 1 Corinthians 3:6-9

As World Racers, we don’t know who we will come into contact with or how many times someone has spoken to a World Racer, but we are all part of a process. You may get to your work site and see the fruit of what other world racers planted and it’s your job to continue the harvest.

It’s a beautiful thing and it’s changed my perspective.

If you are reading this and you are not a racer, don’t disregard what I’m saying. As Chr1st1ans we become a worker for Abba as soon as we join the narrow path and are sanctified. You are called to live missi0nally wherever you are. For everyone you encounter, remember you are part of that harvesting process so don’t loose hope or get discouraged.

 

Enjoy some pictures of where we stayed this weekend!

Janet was sneaky and took this photo of my sleeping Sunday morning. I slept in my liner outside because the tent was way too hot! 

Happy 23rd Birthday Abby!!