This is it. I currently have a week till I fly back home and I’m not sure what to make of it. 9 months has gone by and it blows my mind how fast it all went. It feels like just a month ago I was in the Atlanta Airport waiting with excitement to land in Albania. Now I’m anxiously waiting till I arrive home and preparing myself for what life is going to be like since I’ve been overseas for so long. It’s scary and exciting. I’ve been so blessed to be able to go on such an adventure like this. It has taught me so much about life and I feel that I have matured immensely over these past months.
It’s been amazing getting to meet so many different people from around the world and hearing their stories. We spent time playing with kids in Albania, getting to lead bible lessons and give food out to the community.
I had the chance to feed and talk with kids who live on the streets of the Philippines and it was so eye opening. We never see poverty such as that in America and when coming face to face with it, it hurts because we feel we can’t do anything about it.
I was told stories of tremendous loss caused by a super typhoon from my friends explaining how they had to rebuild after losing their homes and loved ones. They spoke about how much hope they had recieved from God and how they found him through the mess of it all. We got to go into a prison and share our testimonies to the inmates and pray for them. The men we spoke to were so humble and willing to listen.
We went into bars to tell girls who were stuck in the sex industry that there was a way out by giving them the opportunity to receive free housing and education. Their faces lit up when we told them about this program. We got to talk with ex prostitutes who were now school teachers and business women. The change we saw was increbidle.
Now in South Africa we have gotten to spend the past 3 months living with ex gangsters and drug addicts. Their stories are unbelievable and from the way they used to live, you would be surprised how they are still alive. We got to help out at an at risk youth camp for 3 days where three people gave their lives to Christ when we asked if anyone wanted to accept Jesus.
All of the ministry that I have gotten to be a part of has shaped my world view so much. I used to have this concept that different places in the world are so much more magical than where you live currently. I always thought that the next place is going to better than where you are right now. It’s not true. You have to consciously choose contentment every day or else you will live with the opposite. I know when I get back home, the farm will be just as beautiful as it was. Beauty has different shapes and sizes, so nothing about it will change. The beauty of my farm house will stay the same just as the beauty of Table Mountain will stay. Just because I saw waterfalls and mountains doesn’t take away from the beauty there is in my home town. I’ve developed a deeper appreciation for home now that I have been away from it for so long. If anything, I’m going to love taking walks in town so much more than what I used to. Being away from home fills your spirit with a longing to go back to what is familiar even when you didn’t really take into account how amazing it already is.
I’ve learned to be humble. I’ve noticed that if there is some form of conflict, the best thing to do is to hold your tongue. If you try to fight and let your pride control you, it only leads to bitterness on both sides. Living with girls has taught me a lot about that. Often times I’m wrong and I learn to accept that.
There’s been a lot of growth in being more responsible too. I used to just go with the flow and not really think about knowing any schedule. When I was placed as a team leader, I had to make contact with our hosts, figure out the times we would be leaving at, see how we are going to get there and what we will be doing. It was sort of stressful because so many people had different opinions and I wanted to make sure everyone was happy. I had to leave my normal thought process of not thinking about what plays into planning things out to actually asking the questions about what variables go into certain situations. It was probably the most hectic time on the race but it made me think more and it helped me grow as an adult. I’m still working on this area but it has been the most impactful time on the race.
Now that I will be coming home soon, along with all the millennials, I have to think about what I want to do with my future. This is a challenge but since being on the race, I have partially realized what I am passionate about. I am thinking about going to school to major in business so that one day I may start a coffee shop that will have a means to feed people. I would love to be able to provide for the hungry and with enough faith I know God will shape me for this desire I feel he has placed in my heart.
This race has been one of the greatest experiences I have ever gotten to be a part of. I met such amazing people, saw beautiful sights around the world and most importantly I got to serve Christ the whole time. This trip has shown me that faith can move mountains. I had to raise 14,000$ and God showed me that it was no problem whatsoever. I didn’t have a clue how it was going to happen but God provided. This trip has created such a solid foundation in my belief in Christ and I am certain that God will continue to use me in incredible ways. I’d like to give a big thanks to all who have supported me and have given me their prayers. Without you guys, this trip wouldn’t have happened but through you all, I was able to grow a deeper relationship with Jesus and serve around the world. I am so grateful for what everyone has done. Through all of you guys, God showed me his provision and love. The generosity I have received this past year has blown me away. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
This trip has come to an end but I know that so much more is to come.
