And by 11 pictures I mean a whole lot more because they are long overdue.
This World Race has been quite the ride and I want to remember every detail. These pictures are some of the greatest moments captured by my phone because, well, this blog can’t handle a Canon’s pictures. I wish I could invite you into every single moment but you will just have to wait until I get home and sit with me hours on end while I walk you through a picture book. Some of the greatest moments haven’t been captured because they have been worth my full attention.
Month 1: India
We did village ministry which looked like praying for people and giving a message to the village. This lady received Christ on one of our first nights and I had the absolute honor of praying for her. It still brings tears to my eyes.
Sarah, Sam and I decided to climb a water tower in one of the villages. We made it to the top only to be told to get down because some of the people thought we were contaminating their water. It was all in good fun and conquering a fear of heights.
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One day while on the way to a village I had the realization that God has invited me to come alongside of Him in His work through 11 countries. It was a realization that shook me to the core so I snapped a picture to remember it. I will never forget it. This turned out to be one of the best days of ministry that included what seemed like a million kids in an open field playing games that included cricket. Incredible night.
My squad leader and teammate. They are the greatest. This is on a day in India when Kent came to visit us and showed us how to get the greatest deal on a tuk tuk ride. This is also a day when I realized that the Lord put these two in my life to be longtime friends because they point me to the Father and are always up for an adventure. You guys are the greatest.
Month 2: Nepal
A lot of us rented scooters on one of our first few days in Nepal. I was able to be a Colonel for the day and drive around my best friends. Through traffic, through mud, up the mountain. Lessons were learned, friendships were tested and we all survived. It was actually one of my greatest memories to date.
Our last night of debrief me and some of my mates slept in our hammocks. The joy we all had this night is one I can’t put into words but will always, always remember.
We did a lot of different ministry in Nepal. The first Sunday there my team and I traveled to a church that was destroyed by the earthquake. A few of us spoke and this man walked up in the midst of it. He ended up hanging out with us a little bit after church and we were able to have a conversation about Jesus with him and my teammate prayed for him.
Briana has taught me a whole lot about being intentional with the people that we meet on the race. This day Sarah, Bri and I traveled back to the city where debrief was to meet up with this kid that Bri made friends with. Jesus was shared and a prayer was prayed and we hope that this kid is never, ever the same. Bri, you sharpen me even after the fact of things happening.
On that same day we walked past this family. It was a moment that my heart broke. A brokenness that still hurts but that stirs something in me to fight for the orphan and widow. I gave them water in hopes that it would lead them to the living water that they really need.
Another week we did ministry with refugees who have been persecuted for their faith. To sit in the presence of modern day Paul’s was so incredible. American Christians are complaining about Starbucks cups and saying that it’s modern day persecution… I know some people who would beg to differ.
The day I realized that these are my people. They sharpen me. They encourage me. They point me to the Father. They call things out in me that aren’t showing the Father to people around me. They bring me joy like no one else can. On this day we explored the city and we ate pizza, French fries and ice cream while watching a movie on a roof in Nepal. I love to meet up with these ones at the end of the months because the growth in them is like nothing I’ve ever seen before and to glean from them all that the Lord has taught them over the month is everything.
After a few attempts with some squad mates we were able to fly around Mt. Everest. This picture doesn’t do the majesty and creativity of my Father justice. I have tears in my eyes remembering the moment I looked out the window.
On one of our last days in Nepal we did something called “faith day”. We sat in prayer and we listened to where the Father wanted us to go. It was full of sharing Jesus with people and getting to pour into lives. I can’t even explain the goodness of God on this day. So, these street girls showed up and I prayed for them and shared Jesus with them and on our last day, when walking back to the house to hop on a bus to leave, I heard these beautiful ones calling my name. Once again, reminding me to fight for the orphans.
Month 3: Cambodia
We had a few days of free time when arriving in Cambodia before ministry started. So we hopped on a bus and trekked to Angkor Wat! It was everything I hoped it would be. The weather wasn’t cooperating for pictures but despite what you think, this picture is not photo-shopped. It’s the real deal. The Lord reminded me through this temple that He is the only one that stands through the ages. All other idols will fall to the ground.
In Cambodia, the first week we helped in an all girls school that was being built. We sanded wood, we colored pictures and made them into notecards, we sorted through donations and we organized a library. At the end of one of the days we went up to the roof and saw a rainbow and an airplane landing. In that moment I knew that Cambodia would be a hard month to leave.
One day in Cambodia I FaceTimed my friends and this little guy announced to me that he is going to be a big brother. In the midst of the excitement I realized that it’s hard being obedient to the Lord when missing out on big things at home but it’s always worth it.
Social Work is still my heart and in Cambodia I had the opportunity to go to a Social Work Conference where our contact was speaking on suicide. It was great.
You should just check out my blog on this one. Working in a girls home is something that is near and dear to my heart. Cambodia was no different. I cried when I left this month because one girl changed me, like always. I am blown away by how much my Father likes reminding me of what my heart beats for.
At the beginning of the months my team always made a bucket list of things we wanted to do in that country. Some spiritual things and some cultural things. In Cambodia we decided we wanted to eat some crazy things. So, on our last night there we ventured out to the streets and this was the result. Snake tasted like pulled pork. Tarantula was as awful as you would think.
Month 4: Thailand
Thailand was a tough month for me for many different reasons. One morning I ventured to a coffee shop and I called these three. They encouraged me, they sharpened me, they pointed me back to the Father and what He was teaching me in the hard stuff. Then they prayed for me. Distance doesn’t matter. The Lord heard their prayers on my behalf because I was crying too much to talk, really.
These beautiful teammates and I decided to run a Thai 6k at midnight through the streets of Bangkok. Lyndi Jo was sick and I hadn’t ran consistently since leaving home. We all rocked it and pushed though the miles knowing that finishing it was the greatest feeling. Thankful these women ran the race with me for four months and will continue to even if we aren’t on the same team anymore. Love you guys!
In Thailand my team and I taught English. We also were able to partner with a ministry who helped get prostitutes off the street. One night I was able to go with the lady in the middle to the red light district. We hung out in a bar and shared Jesus with this woman who could barely speak any English. I am praying that the ministry continues to pour into her and she realizes she’s worth so much more than dancing on a stage.
These are some of my students on our last night of class. They were SUCH JOY to me. We oftentimes got in trouble from my teammates whose classes were distracted by our laughing and loud talking being heard in their rooms. I’m not sorry about it because gut laughter really is the greatest medicine.
Thank you so much to everyone that has been donating and supporting me! Your encouragement means more than you will ever know. I am now in Malaysia working at a Girls’ Home and know that this month will be a hard one to leave behind. My new team is incredible and I am looking forward to going deeper in the Lord with them. You can see the links to their blogs over on the left hand side of this page.
Would you also consider donating just $11 in honor of it being November 11th and me going to 11 countries? I am so close to being fully funded but on-field expenses do add up. There is a link below this blog or to the left!
