Tanzania so far has been the hardest time on the Race for
me. Right before we left Kenya, I
found out that my grandfather had been admitted to the hospital and was not
doing very well. About a week
later, I received a phone call from my parents saying that Papa was barely
hanging on and that they were planning on taking him off of life support. This did not come as a shock to me,
because my Papa was 92 years old, but it hurt my heart nonetheless. I wanted to be home so badly in that
moment. I wanted to hug my mom and
my grandma. I wanted the chance to
say goodbye in person. I just
wanted to be there instead of here in Africa. That night I lie in bed, tears streaming down my face, as I
listened to “The Valley Song” by Jars of Clay over and over.
The next few days were extremely difficult. I had been ill for a few weeks and had
to miss several days of ministry, so I went to the doctor only to find out that
I have amoebic dysentery. I was
miserably sick and missing home so much I almost couldn’t bear it. Megan and Noe asked me if I planned on
staying on the Race or going home, and as badly as I wanted to leave I knew I
couldn’t. My parents kept
reminding me of how proud my grandfather was of me for doing this trip. “He would want you to finish the Race,”
they said.
Learning to praise God in the middle of a storm, instead of
getting angry and giving up is not an easy lesson to learn. But it’s what God is teaching me in
this season of life, and I refuse to give up when times get hard. I also know I would be in terrible
shape without my team/squad mates who have been very compassionate toward me
during this time. Thank you to
everyone who has been praying for me on the home front as well!
On July 8, 2010, my grandfather, Joe Miller, went home to be
with Jesus. I am a better person
because he was in my life, and I will miss him terribly.
So Papa, I’ve decided I will finish this Race in your
memory. This one’s for you. Love you so much!
