Hey friends, so I’ve been thinking a lot about what my last blog should be about. There’s a whole lot I could write about from the past 9 months; friendship, the Lord, what I learned, what I witnessed, what I want to do now that I’m home, I mean the list could potentially just go on and on and on. But the more I’ve thought about it, the more I’ve realized that everything I just listed, and everything that ran through my mind, has to do with one main thing. People. What I learned has to do with the Lord, but I learned a lot about God from my community. Friendship on the race was/is nothing like I’ve ever had, God gave me some incredible people. What I witnessed in every country was the almighty moving in his people’s lives. And what I want to do now that I’m home has everything to do with PEOPLE. Loving them, meeting them, helping them, illustrating an authentic and holy life to them. The race was all about people. Serving My Father’s other kids. Taking into consideration their lives and their hearts. Getting to know them. And putting myself out there so they could get to know me.
And as I thought about what people have most impacted me, I realized it was the missionaries. Because for however much I loved the locals, pastors, kids, women, men, the homeless, the sick and the widow’s, I lived more closely with my team and my squad then anyone I can remember. We were together more than my family and I were together when I was at home. We did everything together, Work, play, adventuring, ministry, meals. We were each others friends, family, co workers, and community. We went to one another when we were happy and sad and homesick. When we wanted to laugh or cry or talk about life and the Lord. We were home for each other In the midst of a season of so much movement and so many new sceneries. We were constants.
Story time.
The last night of the world race we gathered together as a squad one last time. We worshipped the Lord freely, we prayed over each other, and we wrapped up a really incredible season together. Afterwards our squad mentor took 2 of the 6 teams at a time and sat them in a circle while the other 4 teams walked around the outside of the circle. For each set of teams sitting down, 12 questions were asked. And if there was someone sitting that affected someone walking the circle, they would tap the person on the ground. Individuals sitting down had their eyes closed, and as our mentor slowly listed questions, the standing hurried around the circle touching every person who impacted them.
These were the questions:
1. Someone you were drawn to immediately.
2. Someone who has changed your life for the better.
3. Someone whose strength you admire.
4. Someone who makes you laugh.
5. Someone who is always there for you.
6. Someone you respect.
7. Someone who lights up a room.
8. Someone who comforts you.
9. Someone who amazes you.
10. Someone who has gifts you admire.
11. Someone who fights for you.
*12. Someone who looks like Jesus.
13. Someone who encourages you.
14. Someone who serves selflessly.
15. Someone you’ll never forget.
16. Someone whose words you hold dear.
17. Someone you trust.
18. Someone you look up to.
19. Someone who intercedes for you.
20. Someone who has grown enormously in the past 11 months.
21. Someone you find beautiful (or handsome).
22. Someone you believe in.
23. Someone who’s friendship you never saw coming.
*24. Someone you value greatly.
25. Someone you will fight for.
26. Someone who is a born leader.
27. Someone whose smile makes your day.
28. Someone whose laugh makes you laugh.
29. Someone who makes you a better person when you’re around them.
30. Someone you love.
31. Someone you want to be like.
32. Someone who warms your heart.
33. Someone who has taught you something.
34. Someone who inspires you.
35. Someone who is strong.
36. Someone you think will change the world.
Not one person went untouched for any question. I know that I sure didn’t. There were even some who attempted to touch every person sitting because so many of us brought joy, or laughter, or whatever else was asked.
This year was about community. The race showed me what it means to lift people up. To love people even when it’s hard. To accept them when you spend 24/7 with them and want a break. To give grace when they unzip their bag a million times at 1:00 am, ruin one of your only 5 shirts, eat way too much of your nutella, or fail to give you grace in return.
NOT ONE PERSON WENT UNTOUCHED.
In the last 9 months we as a squad moved each other. We fought and we struggled and we grew. We drew closer to God as not just friends, but as family. Pretty cool. We got to walk around that circle and touch the people who have impacted us in SUCH important ways. We got to tell each other without words how we have been inspired, changed, loved, and valued. We got to express that community on the world race was unforgettable. And what seemed unfathomable 9 months ago not only became a tangible reality, but a standard for our lives, for our friends, for our family, and for creating community everywhere we go that not only exemplifies the Lord and brings the Kingdom of heaven, but lifts people around us higher and higher and higher. That alone, without everything else that I listed, and without everything else that I could have chose to write about, made the world race worth it.
Father God,
You continue to put me in a state of wonder, and I stand in awe of you today as I close out this season. You are good. You are good and your love for for me as your daughter has changed my life this year. You showed me what it means to know you and you’ve shown me what it means to live a life of dying to self for you. The rewards God that you give outdo anything I could strive for in the world. Your beauty is captivating and your glory and power all consuming. I am grateful for the race God, but I’m more grateful for your plans and for your heart. For the community you so so graciously handed over to me, for the gifts that I don’t deserve, and for your continued faithfulness. Lord I commit myself to a life of looking to you in wonder. To accepting that you will always be too much of a mystery to understand, but you will also always be present and constant, fulfilling your promises and expecting me to walk blindly by faith. Father I didn’t know what to expect when I stepped foot on that first plane in Georgia 9 months ago, but you outdid yourself. And if life with you will always bring that much joy….THEN I WANT IT.
Amen.
Prayers! I leave tomorrow for PSL, a last 5 day debrief with Gap O before we are officially done. Prayers for joy and peace about this season ending. Prayers for confidence in the Lord’s plans for every racer. And prayers for travel. Thanks to everyone who followed my mission. It means a lot that I had people across the world interceding for me. It means the world that so many people reached out and showed support. Love you all. If you have any questions or just want to chat I would love that. Deuces.
