1. When community gets hard, there’s no excuse for checking out. When you keep going through the hard stuff, relationships only grow and deepen. The Lord is redefining what friendship looks like in my life, and my sweet friend Victoria has been essential in this process. (Maybe maybe I will write a blog about this one, but maybe I can convince Victoria to because she’s an incredible writer– stay tuned!)
2. “Seeing people” only takes a hello or a pat on the back. There are so many people in our world who are unseen by the majority of people such as the homeless, merchants or waitresses. Saying hello brings such joy to them as they serve us so well!
3. Did you know that handmade table runners can take around 6 months to make? This month, I made a lot of friends who sold their handmade goods on the street. It’s insane the amount of time that they spend on their products and how little they receive from tourists trying to get the cheapest price. I know that I’m known as the “haggle queen” on my team, but I’m trying to be more aware of the people my haggling effects.
4. I can lead worship! Many of my squadmates challenged me to take my guitar time with the Lord public. This was some of the hardest feedback that I’ve received on the Race because I am not confident in my guitar playing whatsoever. My guitar time usually stays between me and the Lord, but this month I led worship for 3 teams, and the Lord met me there. When I gave it completely to Him, it felt like there wasn’t even another soul in the room.
5. Volcano Fuego is the most active volcano in the world!! It erupts like a million (okay, maybe like 5 or 6) times a day, and it was right in my backyard this month!! We always got excited when it would erupt at night because we could see the lava pouring out!
6. Friends (and family) made on the Race are friends for life. This month, my team had the opportunity to meet up with our ministry host and some friends that we made during our first month in Costa Rica. It was one of the best days because I felt like we were reuniting with long time friends. I’m so thankful to work with such amazing people on the Race and have wonderful, lasting friendships!
On the same note, our hosts for the month, Craig and Carol loved us so well. They quickly became “mom and dad” to us, and I know they will be family that I will keep in contact with for years to come! Through late night brownies, kitchen adventures, and road trips, we developed quite the friendship, and I praise the Lord for the time that I had with them this month!
7. Lake Atitlan might very well be one of the most beautiful places in the world! We had the opportunity to go to the lake as we took a “road trip with Mom and Dad!” for an adventure day. I was truly amazed at the sheer beauty of the lake and the volcanoes that surround it. If you ever have the opportunity to go, DO IT!
8. I’m proud to be a Clemson tiger!!!! My tigers pulled through with a WIN in the National Championship!!!! I got to watch it all go down because our amazing host streamed the game and watched it with us!!!
9. Coffee is important. This month I spent a lot of time in coffeeshops, and the Lord completely showed up. It didn’t matter where or when, we always found someone to talk to about what the Lord was doing. They could be from as far as Denmark or Spain or as close as North Carolina. A simple love of coffee can bring anyone together!
10. I learned that I am a warrior. At the end of the month, my team came together to speak life over each other. My team continually spoke the word warrior over me this month, and I realized the true power that the Lord has been developing and refining in me on the Race– especially through prayer. I’m thankful that I have such amazing women to speak into my life.
11. If you ask the Lord to lead your steps, He WILL put people in your path! Whether it be a pastor who needs some encouragement, or a Taoist from Spain, the Lord will use you if you walk around with the expectation of His provision!
Overall, my month in Guatemala was one of my FAVORITE months on the Race so far, and I can’t wait to continue on to Asia!
Peace and Blessins,
Jor
