The Race has officially begun!! The days of gear research, vaccinations, amazon deliveries, lists upon lists upon lists, and so many difficult goodbyes are over. I’ve moved from a season of planning and preparation into a season of action and implementation.
Just over a week ago I left my wonderful home and life in central Illinois with just 2 backpacks and flew to Atlanta, Georgia to reunite with the amazing T-Squad for a week of final preparation and then heading out for this 11 month long adventure.
To say that the last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind would be a complete understatement. After leaving home, our week in Atlanta included more training, learning to live on less, Ask The Lord ministry (check out http://susandebolt.theworldrace.org/index.asp?filename=how-god-used-the-american-flag-to-heal to hear about my team's experience), and embracing abandonment by downsizing my pack (almost 13 lbs. less) to a point of discomfort leading to greater trust in the Lord and my teammates.
After that week, fast-forward over 30 hours of travel, including a fun layover in Amsterdam, we arrived in Romania where we have hit the ground running. Besides settling in to this new culture and life in our mission house living with my 50+ squadmates, I have already had the opportunity to take part in ministries cleaning up the town we’re staying in by picking up trash, building relationships with people in the area, yard work, children’s ministry, and home visits. We are partnered with a great church here that has many ministry contacts and is passionate about reaching out to the community.
It has been quite a transition I am still working through, but I have already gotten to see God moving in ways I was not even expecting. I have found great encouragement and opportunities of growth living in this new family and see how God is using this experience already to help impact our lives and the lives we touch.
