Well hello, friends and family! It’s been a long time coming from my last blog in January (sorry)! For those of you who have been continually following my journey, THANK YOU!!! As you can see I haven’t gotten any better at blogging (oops!), but I know you will all have grace towards me for the delay!
Right now, our team is currently in Setapak, Malaysia, about a 45 minute drive away from the city of Kuala Lumpur. We’re on month 8 of the Race with only 3 months left …I can hardly believe I just said that! 
Before I go into our ministry for this month, I want to update you all on what has happened in the last 4 months of my Race. I’ve summarized each ministry as well as the big lessons the Lord taught me during each month. It’s a bit long, but so awesome to see how the Lord came through in everything.
(BONUS: I’ve also included some cool pictures from each month).
India, Month Four
While in India, our team (Team Parresia) had the opportunity to work with two different ministries through India Christian Ministries (ICM). For the first two weeks of the month we were in Medak, about 3 hours from Hyderabad. While there, we worked with a ministry called Rescue Pink. The ministry was focused on bringing an end to female infanticide through rescue, prevention and awareness (for those who don’t know much about female infanticide, it is the killing of baby girls and sadly, it is a current and ongoing issue that has a long history in India). Ministry for our team included home visits, helping put together a Christmas program and a women’s awareness day. For our last two weeks in India, we were in Hyderabad serving at Sarah’s Covenant Homes (SCH), along with two other teams from our squad. This is an awesome ministry that houses many abandoned children with special needs. They provide the children with so much, such as education, therapy, and a family-style home while they wait to be adopted. We were so blessed to love on them for a few days.
India was a rough month for me. Although I liked many things about this country (the culture, the colors, the food and its people), unfortunately almost everywhere you went the atmosphere was so spiritually heavy. Just like many others from our squad, I experienced so much spiritual warfare during this month. From feeling spiritually drained everyday (even though we didn’t do much physical work) to feeling like I never got enough sleep (even after many hours of sleep and naps in between ministry). We also couldn’t leave our place much of the day, unless we were with our host otherwise we’d run the risk of being attacked by monkeys!haha God taught me more about His power to combat the enemy as I never really experienced spiritual warfare nor was able to recognize it, until this month. The Lord also gave our team a pretty incredible experience on Christmas Day as we went out and did ATL (ask the Lord). We had the idea of buying donuts and handing them out on the street that morning. The Lord had other plans in which He led us to a slum area right behind a big mall. There we found some families that seemed to be awaiting our visit. That day, we met a cute, sweet old lady who was so happy to see us. By the end of our visit, she was in tears and had us all balling in tears as well. Sadly due to the language barrier, we had no idea what she was trying to tell us but we still prayed for her and her family before leaving. So thankful for such divine appointments! As tough as this month was for me, the Lord was still faithful in teaching me a few lessons about myself, my faith, and allow for some memorable moments (like celebrating my 30th birthday and having Morgan back for our Christmas ATL Day and New Years!).
Part of Team Parresia at Rescue Pink’s Christmas Celebration!
Out and about on our Christmas ATL Day!
[Going into month five of the Race meant team changes. AIM pushes for growth and stepping into uncomfortability so making a few team changes allowed room for that. Thankfully we were made aware of that possibility the month prior, so I mentally prepared myself for this. Through prayer, the Lord gave me so much peace for my new team and the people I’d be doing life with for the next few months. He blessed me with some awesome teammates: Ashley & Billy Spriggs, Caitlin, Jess, Brooks,and Lindsay. #TeamRelentlessPursuit]
Nepal, Month Five
This month, our team stayed at a YWAM base located in Pokhara, about a 6 hour drive from Kathmandu. While part of our ministry included home visits, prayer walks, and youth ministry, our main focus was working with our host, Pramish and his street kids ministry. Unfortunately during our time in Nepal, the Indian government had imposed an unofficial blockade that forbid the transportation of fuel into Nepal, which was done in an act of protest against Nepal’s’ government and new constitution that had been set a few months prior. This was a huge burden for the Nepalese people as this was happening during their cold season. Sadly, this meant very limited hot water, cooking meals over a fire, and cold showers which many of us went without for most of the month!haha This was also was a concern for our team as it had an impact on our ministry. Due to the lack of fuel and funds, we couldn’t feed all 30+ kids. Some days we simply taught them bible stories, played games and just loved on them (these kids seriously won my heart!). It wasn’t too long after that our team knew that the Lord laid it on all our hearts to help out our host and his ministry during these hard times (also, I believe that because we could clearly see his heart and passion for his ministry and his pursue for the Lord, we knew that God wanted to bless him and wanted us to a part of it). So in doing so, we put together a campaign to help fundraise for his street kids ministry. Through much prayer and amazing support from back home, in less than a week we were able to raise enough money to feed the kids for a whole year and even bless our awesome host as he was planning to marry his fiancé in March! Praise God!
I loved Nepal! The scenery mountain views, the nice hikes, the beautiful people, the adorable kids, the shops, the food, everything except their cold weather. Like most months on the Race, this month was no exception for a time where the Lord helped me walk through a season of vulnerability and personal struggles. I can’t explain exactly what led to this, but I found myself struggling with singleness this month (…hey, you can’t blame me, I’m a single 30 year old with a deep desire to marry and have a family someday!). The enemy knew this was not only a struggle of mine but also something that he could use to try to tear me down. And he definitely tried! After spending what seemed like a few hours of scrolling through social media and seeing engagements, weddings and even adorable newborn baby pictures, I found myself in misery (social media is so good at that!). I kept asking God why this was so heavy on my heart and for a better understanding of what He’s trying to teach me through this. It wasn’t too long after that He answered me during a 4-day trekking trip that our host unexpectedly wanted to take us on. It was there that we met a 36 year old woman working at the church, who completely shifted my mind and my heart. This woman was serving the Lord with so much joy that you couldn’t tell that she’d never been married before, nor has had any children and lived alone. You can say she probably never had a desire like mine, to marry or have kids and maybe that’s why she’s where she’s at. But I learned so much from her just exuding Jesus in her life! Her spirit was so warm and welcoming! The neighboring kids from around the church seemed to love her company because they’d always come around to visit and help her. She welcomed us all with open arms and always had meals cooked and ready for us. Looking back at it now, I am so thankful for having gone through this season because had I not, I wouldn’t be here (on the other side of the world) saying how thankful I am for this life and that I am very much content with where the Lord has me right now. I don’t need a husband or kids to find happiness or satisfaction in life. As a human being, I know once that happens, I’ll try to look for the next big thing to bring me happiness. I know marriage is a deep desire of mine but I also know that God has me here for this season of my life and I fully trust His plans. He’s doing a lot of molding and refinement in me and that is so much more important to me than trying to put any energy into something that He’s not ready to bless me with. God is all I need and it is in Him that I find my joy and satisfaction!
Denny, one of our YWAM pets, overlooking our awesome view of the Himalayan mountains.
Some of the adorable kids we met at Pramish’s ministry!
The street kids that YOU all helped feed for a whole year! They were saying their “Thank You” in this picture.
Cambodia, Month Six
Our team worked with Cornerstone Church this month, led by our hosts, Pastor Rogil and his sweet wife, Janice, in the city of Phnom Penh. God has been doing amazing things through Cornerstone for the past 5 years and is continuing its vision of church planting and making disciples. Our ministry this month included campus ministry in one of the biggest university campuses in the city, teaching English classes in the evenings, fellowship on weekends and childrens ministry at our pastors’ partner church in the village of Kampong Chnang for a few days. We also had the privilege of being part of Cornerstones’ 3rd Annual Share the Love dinner event. Sadly, we were in one of the hottest months in Cambodia but thankfully our team was so blessed to live in a nice 3-bedroom apartment with air conditioning and even got to cook for ourselves! Some of my favorite memories from the month came from being in the village of Kampong Chnang and hanging out with the kids that lived near the church. There is something about being in a village and secluded from the city life and everything else (like social media) that can easily distract us. So thankfully, without all that distraction, I saw God clearly in all that He was doing (in the village and through the church).
It was during this month that the Lord took me through a big season of growth in my faith. I experienced the most amount of growth this month than I have in any other month on the race so far. The Lord taught me so much about perseverance and solely depending on Him for strength into making the best of my experience on the field, especially when days got tough and I wanted to give up (which I had a lot of this month). I saw areas where God challenged me to surrender myself and to stop relying on my own strength to do His work. I was pushed into uncomfortability and allowed room for God to show me more through the people right in front of me; to love them and invest more into their lives. This was a month where I saw myself step into a place of doing “weird” things for His glory and not missing divine moments where I could encounter Him through other people. It’s amazing what can happen when you listen to what the Spirit is asking! I also learned more about the awareness of the words I speak and how much I want them to be spoken out of life and love and only speak the words that the Lord wants me to say. This is how I learned more about praying over hard conversations and speaking only when necessary. So glad I learned this before marriage!HAHA!
Team Relentless Pursuit in the village of Kampong Chnang!
Some of the cuties that I wanted to take home with me from the village.
[Month 7 on the race meant Manistry month (a month on the race when all the guys on our squad do ministry together, which also meant all female teams for the rest of us). With this, there were also some minor changes in all female teams. Part of this change effected me. So, for a third time, I was yet on another team this month.]
Thailand, Month Seven
While in Thailand, our team served alongside a ministry called In Search of Sanuk, located in the city of Bangkok. This ministry is focused on providing food, shelter and educational support for survivors of torture and trauma. Although the description of our ministry was a bit different than what we actually did, it was still awesome to be part of what God has been doing. While we did some home visits, most of our ministry involved us teaching English to refugees from Vietnam in the community. During our home visits, we got to hear many similar stories from men who had been tortured and persecuted for their faith in Christ and therefore, had to flee Vietnam with the rest of their families. Though we had an interpreter, we still a hard time communicating some questions we had for the families to better understand what they’ve gone through and their current situations. Because most of us knew very little about the life of a refugee, we found ourselves having to research more about it and what it meant for them to live in a different country. It was through this community of refugees that I learned about being a true follower of Christ and sacrificing everything you know to follow Him. It was so encouraging to see how Jesus was working in and through their lives! Even with the language barrier, our team connected so well with our host family. They truly were like a family to us and they continue to be in my prayers.
While I had some fun moments in Bangkok, it was still a very hard month for me. We were in Bangkok during one of their hottest months and our living situation was not the best. I basically lived in a storage room that had no A/C, with two other teammates and I slept on my very thin sleeping pad all month long (which ended up having a sweat print of my body on it, ewww!). Because we also had ministry where we lived, I found myself struggling with my personal quiet time with the Lord. It seemed almost impossible to find time alone with Him, and this was my way of getting filled up! I know I could’ve tried a lot harder to make time, but it was not the easiest. I found myself very much spiritually dry this month and just wanted to be home, in the comfort of my bed and air conditioning. Thankfully, the Lord met me in my days of despair. He heard my cries late at night when I would ask Him if all of this was even worth it. It was during this season of living in uncomfortability that the Lord showed me just how much He’s always there with and for me, regardless of how hard things may seem at the time. I’m truly thankful for the hardships He puts me through because it’s in that time that He’s showing me how much more I need to be like Him (it’s a growing process!). I’m also so thankful for awesome teammates this month that brought so much joy during a tough month (THANK YOU, Taylor and Mardie, I LOVE YA’LL!!)!
Me and Taylor at the Death Cab show (the highlight of my Race)!
The community of Vietnam refugees, along with our team and other volunteers from a church in Iowa!
Our loving host family! I miss them all!
[Debrief couldn’t have come at a better time and it couldn’t have been in any better location than in Phuket! It was such an amazing time of relaxing!]
This was our view of the Phi Phi Islands! Isn’t this just beautiful!?
My two favorite gals from Team Parresia! I loved spending downtown with these gems!
Releasing lanterns at the beach!
Malaysia, Month Eight
This month we are serving at Kachin School in Setapak, teaching English to preschoolers and primary students. Most of the kids in this school are refugees from Myanmar (previously known as Burma). My teammate, Jessica, and I have been teaching English to the preschoolers most of the month and it has been a challenging but rewarding time! I knew teaching was a hard job but I never realized how challenging it can be until I had to do it. As the kids have grown on us and they’ve come to know and respect us, I know that we have made an impact in their lives and it will be hard to say our goodbyes. I’m truly going to miss these little nuggets and hope they always remember us!
Two of my adorable preschoolers this month! They also may be too cute to see how much trouble they are!haha
Our preschool students this month!
[PRAYER REQUEST: As my World Race journey continues for the next 3 months, please pray for the Lord to continue show more of Himself in my life and all that He wants me to show me and dig deeper into. Please also pray that He would continue to be the leader and lover of my heart regardless of where He may lead me after the Race! We leave Asia soon and will be in Central America by the 29th! Please pray for safe travels and for the Spirit to be present in all that He wants us to do in Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua! Hasta luego…Los quiero muchisimo y los extrano! 
]
