While I have been in southeast Asia my name has been changed from Katie to Kaylee. There is something in the Asian dialect that doesn’t allow them to say the “tie” in my name. But I kind of like my new name.
Katie was a girl who was tired and worn out from nine months of traveling. She didn’t have much left in her. She wasn’t sure that she could make it another three months. Besides, she had left her heart in Kenya. She was content with being left there for the rest of her days.
But Kaylee has a huge heart for Asia that is brand new and full of energy. She loves the cute little people running all over the place and their cute little motorbikes. Asia has been exciting because God has brought about great revelation and big breakthroughs. Thailand brought a lot of self reflection. Many things had caused her to stumble along the path that God had set before her. But after Thailand she felt renewed and strengthened. In Vietnam, the frustration of nine months of traveling all came out. Community living is hard to do sometimes. God reminded Kaylee that she was suppose to be selfless not selfish. That she was suppose to prefer other before herself. And that she was suppose to love all the time. And then came Cambodia. Kaylee’s heart was broken again, a lot like the time that Katie had spent in Kenya. Kaylee was love with all the little children that hung out in her yard and the amazing family that hosted us for the month. God revealed himself in so many ways. He taught her how to love others unconditionally. The visions that God gave her were more vivid than they had ever been.
I am glad that God changed my name for the last three months on the Race. He knew my heart and He knew that I needed something to renew my strength, something to laugh about. I am excited to be Katie again when I get home but until then I will remain Kaylee in Asia.
