Thank you.
Thank you for supporting me.
I am FULLY FUNDED!!!!
The letters, messages, prayers, donations, it all means so much because I know that it took sacrifice. It cost you something to support me this year. Whether it was tangible or time, you sacrificed for me.
I can never repay you, and you know that. However, I’d like to share some memories very dear to me, with you, because you were someone who placed one of the stones before me to cross the bridges that I have this year.
Some of these memories include ministry, some include my squad mates, and some just between the Lord and myself. I cannot repay you, but I can give to you the most cherished things that I do have, the things I have acquired over this year, in part, because of your faithfulness.
There are too many memories, but I’d like to share one from each month so far:
South Africa – I used to be terrified of the idea of being a mother. That’s before I met Allande. He sat on my back and played with me, and when he uttered the words “Mama” for ME, I knew it was beautiful and terrifying. I have never been called anything more honoring. He didn’t have the support he needed, and often I tore him off of other children amidst a fight. Every time he realized it was me, his eye brows would relax and a smile would erupt on his face. He would reach up his skinny dark arms around my neck, and I would take him to class or the soccer field. He mended a piece of my heart that I didn’t realize could happen before I labored over my own children. And my team, I absolutely adored them! We spoke in truth and love, we could be silent; together, and we were always laughing. Always!
This is the first time Allande stole all of my love.
My first team, SoZO, while we were waiting to launch from Atlanta to South Africa!
Botswana – I have never been so physically uncomfortable. But I let go of fear and preached in a village. The Lord awakened a desire to share His word in a grander scale than I ever thought of doing. I began to have this immense desire for the Word and the Lord. He also protected me and my team in several situations that could have been detrimental. He kept us safe.
The village where I preached!
This was our regular evenings of Botswana heading home, where the Lord protected us so much.
Madagascar – I have never seen poverty like this. Anywhere. There was a day when we were living in a village for a week in Montasoa, and I could not escape what was before me. My friend/squad mate Rachel and I held each other while we fell apart. We did not understand why. We were heartbroken in ways we never had been before. We cried, we held each other, and then we began finding scripture together reminding us of the Lord’s plan and goodness for each of us, including the Malagasy’s and that child from that day. The Lord also shed some Light on who I am, who He created me to be, and my purpose.
This was Rachel and our sweet friend that opened our eyes to the reality of the world, and deepened our faith to the Creator of it.
My friend Avisoa translating to Malagasy for me during our ‘Identity in Christ’ conference.
Vietnam – In Vietnam, the Lord was talking to me about being a boulder, and not a mere pebble being tossed back and forth; but standing firm in Him. Ephesians 4:14 says “Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunningness and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.” Though Paul was speaking to Ephesus about the Church being unified as the body of Christ, He was also showing me how to stand firm in Him. The chaos that surrounds me should not dictate my actions, words, or relationship with Him. I also realized how much I love to teach! Britt and I taught english everyday, and were a powerhouse teaching together!
Photo Credit to Lené: This was the day I thought I was going to die (Another story, another time!), but it’s when the Lord began talking to me about being still in His presence when I am surrounded by thrashing waters.
This was another day teaching with Britt Britt!
Cambodia – Oh Cambodia! Cambodia was the other physically hard month. It was hot like Botswana, and humid. The only reason I still say Botswana was more uncomfortable was because in Cambodia we actually had water to shower with everyday. This month we taught at a Seminary school. I often taught different English based classes (Vocab, writing structure, etc.) and Asian geography (and I can freehand this map!). And I often taught with my girl Britt again! We had chapel everyday after lunch with the students and professors. This month the Lord spoke to me about ministry. I never expected to be in ‘ministry’ for my career before this month. I realized how passionate I am about the Word and getting into the depths of it. And I accepted that I will probably be making my profession missional based.
This was my favorite class- they were a little more advanced in english and they understood my jokes 😉
At our LDW debrief, we were joined by Y Squad and had worship together on our roof. I spoke about the meaning and types of worship.
Thailand – Thailand was the hardest month for me. This was my first month as a team leader and the dynamics of my team were very stressful for me. I love each of them, but it brought up a lot of things from my life that were hard to face everyday. The Lord taught me that He makes my feet like feet of a deer and enables me to go on the heights (2 Samuel 22:34/Habakkuk 3:19) However, we taught at a buddhist school this month and it was beautiful watching how our presence alone set a precedence. My favorite person from this month was a young mother who worked at her family-owned store just around the corner from the school. Holding her baby and trying to communicate like the other months, with charades and her little english, were some of my best memories from the month.
Kevin and I went to another school to do an english camp!
This was my sweet friend in her family’s shop.
Malaysia – Malaysia! The Lord preformed miracle after miracle this month. I had only read about in the Bible or heard about things like this until Malaysia. I would love to tell you a specific story if you ask me sometime! I don’t think a summarization of them would do His work justice. I also spent this month trying to get back to myself after Thailand. We were working with YWAM this month and worked in ten different ministries in Penang and surrounding areas. One day we had the opportunity to go to an aboriginal tribe, Orang Asli. We drove from Penang Island to the mainland, drove five more hours to a lake. Then we took a boat to their land! They hunt wild monkey and boar for food and have to be careful of elephants stampeding their land. We were able to laugh and share with them and their children. As we were about to leave, our contact for the day, Janet, came and got a few of us and asked us to pray for this woman who had just given birth. We stepped up onto her bamboo hut, where you had to crouch to walk inside, and prayed over her and her son. Every opportunity the Lord gave us this month was unfathomable.
Our team (minus Lené) at rock climbing ministry.
Janet, Lené, and me on the boat heading to the Orang Asli village!
Nicaragua – Nicaragua, my heart. This place. I heard about the World Race while on a passport trip to Ometepe, Nicaragua. I lived at an orphanage named CICRIN, and both of my team leaders had gone on the World Race. The first week of our month there this time, I spent in Granda with a beautiful couple. Those of us that were there were there because our parents could not come out to the field and be with us. It was a difficult time for me because I would have given anything for my Dad to come out; not even just so I could see Him, but to be in the Place my heart began it’s genuine journey towards the Lord and show him. The couple we were with could not have been more like our parents for us. They treated us with love and took care of us like we were their children. Then we headed to the rest of the squad when their parents left, to CICRIN. The Lord gave me a gift. He allowed me to keep my word when I told them I would return, and they all remembered me. With team changes at the beginning of this month, I knew He was showing me that it was not about my strength but about what the Holy Spirit can do.
Jaime, Ryan, and I building walls in Granada.
Some of the squad waiting at the CICRIN bus stop waiting to go to town!
Honduras – This month was so good! We had so much ministry, but we worked with a family that caught all of our hearts. The Spanglers had three houses of ministry, one being their own. I mainly worked with their children, and then at Center De Paso when Bekah or Mariah were sick/needed a break. Something that I’m not sure gets relayed very well back home is the heartbreak of saying goodbye every four weeks on the race. We pour everything into these people, see them everyday, we know their families and their struggles and they know ours. Then we leave. I got to a point in Asia where I would pour out what I could but tried to not get too attached because it hurt to keep saying goodbye. This month, these children loved me so hard that it was my hardest goodbye. They loved me so thoroughly that I could not keep any part of myself from them. Our team and their family together, it felt like we were one huge family. And it was what we needed. We also had a lot of sickness, and how special it was to be in the hands of family during that. And I realized, hurting to say goodbye is worth it when I get to connect like that.
This was Children’s Day, celebrating our little ones!
Javier, Carolyn, and me- I’m pretty sure Carolyn is me as a child.
El Salvador – El Salv, I am currently here. Our team is in this very strong spot of communication, community, and being in the Word constantly. Please continue to pray for our team to continue moving in that direction and not be brought down by the enemy. Our host Andrea, is an incredible leader for this Church and for her family. I would say that my biggest area of ministry that the Lord is leading me to, is actually Andrea. She has become a friend, and it has been a pleasure supporting and encouraging her in her ministry and faith. And who knows, maybe there is more to write about this place in the future 😉
My team, COB: The Real OG’s (Inspired by Isaiah 62).
Kara, Andrea, and me!
The Lord is incredibly faithful and good. There are so many more lessons, memories, trials, and laughs to share with you all. Thank you. Thank you for allowing me to use my hands to build, to hold, and to share Jesus. Thank you for placing the stones before me and allowing me to be the feet to walk alongside, to play, and adventure with. Thank you for your faithfulness in me. That you would believe in my heart to demonstrate the love of the Lord to the nations; whether laboring or playing, laughing or crying.
Thank you for being part of the doors I have been welcomed into, the prayers to keep me safe while I was there, and the words sent to me encouraging me until my return. Thank you for being the Church.
