This post is going to be raw, vulnerable, probably too detailed & just plain honest. I want to share this space with you & I also want to be transparent with you. The WorldRace is not some fancy adventure, or all-funds-raised-sight-seeing gig. The WorldRace is a physical journey that brings forth spiritual & emotional awareness & healing in yourself. We have learned what it means to have power of the Holy Spirit within us & how environments can shift when we walk into a room or step onto a plane. When we choose to know Jesus, we are set apart. Because I know Jesus I get to share His love in a tangible way with people around the world. If you know Jesus, you hold this mighty invitation into eternity; all you have to do is hand it out. 🙂
::
Wow. This is hard. Probably one of the hardest things I have done so far. Leaving all the comforts & all the people I have known & love. I am stepping into something that is also hard, eager to find the new comforts, new people to know me, & new people to love on. My stomach is in knots & my digestive tract is less than happy {as is usually the case when I travel}.
We are currently on our second flight to Medellin (meh-duh-yeen), Colombia where we will spend the night in the airport before we catch a cab around 330am local time. Throughout the past few days we have spent time with our squad & teams in Atlanta, finishing up some training, worshiping, sitting in sessions & talking about what we hope & desire for this next year: as individuals, a collective, & how we hope to positively impact people around the world, & most importantly, sharing the love that the Lord has for them.
Let me tell you what I have learned about myself & the life I am stepping into: Letting go is hard. Letting go is uncomfortable. Letting go is challenging. Because when we let go, it feels like we step into this in-between space, stuck between the old, the comfortable & trying to find the new thing we latch onto next to feel safe & stable again {I am realizing as I type these words that what I want to hold onto most is what I am idolizing}. Eeek! {I really didn’t expect to come to this conclusion}.
::
Sometimes I see myself as a little kid. Have you seen those littles who hold on so tightly to their caregivers’ leg or hand, then decide to branch out into the world/playground/new house & continually look back to their person to make sure they are still there? There is security in that hold, safety in turning around to see that your loved one is still there. If you ever feel out of your element or uncomfortable, you can simply head back & find that safe, warm hand.
I see my relationship with the Lord a lot like this. I get really excited & am all gung-ho for the next adventure, until I actually take steps into the next thing. The second I begin to step into what the Lord has placed in front of me, I want to turn around & cling to each thing I have know & loved because that is safe & that is comfortable & that is where I really think I belong.
The most beautiful thing is about having a relationship with Jesus, however, is that I don’t have to look behind to see my savior, He has gone before me & He is walking beside me. As I declare this fact there is an ease in my stomach & the knots loosen a little. Jesus is walking with me, He is sitting right beside me & He has already gone before me. The same Father that created me, knows my inner most being, & crafted each creative & colorful piece of me. This same Father chooses to send me. What a gift.
Someone said this weekend at launch: “I am ready to go, but I am not ready to leave.” Yes. 100% could not come up with a more accurate statement myself. Being ready to go is one thing: I feel prepared, I have most of my supplies, I have a very vague idea of what to expect when we land. Feeling ready to leave, however, forces me to conclude that I am okay with letting go. & I am not ready to fully let go, but perhaps as you are reading this my mind will have changed that much more because we will be on the ground, somewhere in Colombia.
Love,
Maddie
PS. I wish I could share more pictures but our internet connection is not very strong so I wasn’t able to upload more.
PPS.
More Amor is currently in Bogota’, Colombia working with an incredible ministry that partners with children & families in the community to offer them a safe alternative to a common life in this neighborhood. For example, they have three teachers on staff, a social worker, & psychologist, in addition to our hosts who provide a safe, structured, & loving environment for kids to grow & learn. They teach vocational skills, like sewing & offer homework help. Some of the kids have been here for a number of years – this is their home & it is an incredible opportunity that we get to serve them 🙂
Praises:
-We got here safely & everything went as smooth as it could have
-The people we have encountered are so kind
-Colombian food is delicious!! & not spicy!!!
Prayers:
-for continued team unity
-that we can serve this ministry & these people in the best way
-for boldness & courage as we might have some opportunities to invite people into this love that Jesus has for them 🙂
