Yep, that’s right. As of tomorrow evening at 11 PM Thailand time, I will be on a plane heading home. Can you believe it??? Neither can I…
After leaving Phuket last Friday, our squad has been spending the past few days at our final debrief in Hua Hin, Thailand. We have had a great time here together- relaxing, going to the beach, and even going on an elephant ride today!
We have also had alot of time to reflect on the year and rejoice in all God has done around us and in us. It is still surreal for me to realize that my world race experience has come to an end. While there were definitely many days where I felt like I would never make it home, now that it is time to go part of me can’t believe it’s over. When I think about everywhere I have been and everything I have seen, I am overwhelmed. Here are a few stats:
-I slept in 48 beds
in 16 different countries
on 4 different continents.
– By the time I get home, I will have ridden on 20 different planes and more busses, cars, vans, taxis, boats, trains, etc. than I can count.
-I used 16 different currencies (and I have definitely accidentally tried to pay for things with the wrong currency).
-I attempted to speak 10 different languages (with very little luck)
-I have been carrying around 2 packs (big and little) that weigh in collectively at around 70 pounds
in 16 different countries
on 4 different continents.
– By the time I get home, I will have ridden on 20 different planes and more busses, cars, vans, taxis, boats, trains, etc. than I can count.
-I used 16 different currencies (and I have definitely accidentally tried to pay for things with the wrong currency).
-I attempted to speak 10 different languages (with very little luck)
-I have been carrying around 2 packs (big and little) that weigh in collectively at around 70 pounds
They tell you at training camp that the world race will be the hardest/best year of your life. I think that is a true statement. This has definitely been the most amazing year of my life to date. I have seen and done things that I never thought I would have the chance to experience in my life- from an African safari, to the cliffs of Moher, to the Pyramids, and so on. I feel amazingly blessed to have had the experiences that I have had.
I have fallen in love with the people that we have ministered to- from the orphans in Nicaragua, to the gypsies in Romania, to the churches in Malawi and much more. I have seen the beauty of God’s children around the world, and have come to realize that God is so much bigger than I knew. His Kingdom truly expands to the ends of the Earth, and I have loved seeing the beauty of his people across the globe.
But it has not always been easy, and I have also seen the harsh reality of the injustice in our world. My heart has been broken over and over- from the people living in trash city in Guatemala, to the AIDS orphans in Swaziland, to the prostitutes in Thailand. I have wrestled with the hard questions, and stuggled to know what I believe. I can’t say I’ve found all the answers. But I have found that God really is good, all the time. And I think I understand more than ever that He truly is redeeming and restoring our world.
I feel like I could go on forever about everything i have seen and learned this year. I know there is no way I can put it all into one blog, but I hope this gives you a small glimpse.
To those of you who have supported me financially and prayerfully, I want to offer up one more big
THANK YOU!!
None of this would have happened without you, and I am forever grateful to you. I know that many of you have been so faithful to pray for me all year, and that means more to me than you know. Your prayers made such a difference and I couldn’t have done it without them.
I will be getting into LA at 11:30 AM on Thursday. I will be spending the night there, and I will get into Nashville Friday evening. I am so excited to see all of you and talk to you in person. Until then… please keep my squad in your prayers as we travel one more time. I can’t t wait to see you all soon!!! LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!
