The day that ended my World Race (Part 1)
This blog has been a long time coming. Yet, my words seem to escape me.
Deep breath in … exhale out … I think it is best that I start with the hours leading up to the accident.
Let me set the scene:
June 16-17, 2014: My team and I set out on a two-day get-away for some rest and relaxation at Kep Beach, 2-3 hours away from our ministry sight in Phnom Pehn. The Month 6 struggles had begun to set in; I questioned, “Why am I here?”, “What impact am I really having?”, and “Am I doing the best that I can?” This was some much needed time away to regroup and remind myself of why I devoted 11 months of my life to traveling around the world.
First full day: Katie C. and I had planned an excursion to a small island, about a 30-minute boat ride away. After a small miscommunication with the locals, we piled on an already too full, small, wooden fishing boat. We quickly forgot about the rough ride as the white sand beach approached. This almost-secluded island helped me forget about the Month 6 struggles. All the pain, and the tears that had graced my face since launching in January 2014, suddenly seemed obsolete.
We had been dropped off on the opposite side of where the “prime” beaches were on the island. We followed some locals on a quick unguided adventure through the jungle, and emerged on the other side. This beach was something I had only seen in travel magazines. It belonged under the title as one of the best-kept secret locations.
After standing in awe for a few minutes, Katie C. and I headed to the water. I was able to hear more about her life and family and share about mine. We were being intentional with our time because we truly cared to know one another, our friendship began to grow. We were surrounded by the beauty of God’s creation, immersed in the unknowns of the water.
I felt loved, I felt seen, and I felt safe.
After a while I found myself laying on the shore line and letting the waves run over my body. This was a significant and happy memory for me. I remember lying there asking God to wash me new as His waves crashed over me. My mind, my body, my soul; each needing to be washed new. I asked Him to make me uncomfortable, flip my life upside down, more of Him and less of me; I wanted to radically be changed for His Kingdom.
I left the island feeling as though I had regained a new sense of purpose for the next 5 months. I had discovered that God had even more in store for me. I was sure that together, God and I were about to do very big things!
Preview of Part 2:
Next thing I know, I was laying on the side of the street in a small Cambodian beach town. Katie C. was standing over me, a crowd began to form, and pain began to radiate in my right leg from my waste down to my ankle. I realized I was trapped underneath the motorbike we were just riding.
I remember thinking “God this was not the life change I was asking for.”
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