Two months have come and gone since I said “Yes, Lord.” and abandoned everything that was comfortable.
A few weeks before leaving the states, my excitement for the Race disappeared and was suddenly replaced by fear. but, instead of addressing my fear, I pressed all my emotions down. The more I thought about leaving, the more afraid I was of all the “what if’s”.
Shortly before launch, I realized that it was okay to feel all the feels, including fear. so instead of ignoring my greatest fear, i actually addressed it: leaving my family. God has blessed me with the best family; i count myself as the world’s luckiest aunt. My little loves at home have my heart. So, as you might imagine, I was really sad to leave them.
In the weeks leading up to leaving, I was reminded of how close I am with my mom, and how it hadn’t been that way my whole life. Fear told me that leaving would ruin that. Fear told me that when I left, I would be forgotten and would feel as if I temporarily didn’t have a family. I realized that – although these fears were very real – they weren’t true. God is a fulfiller of promises, and He gives us the desires of our hearts. He’s taught me that abandoning things doesn’t mean losing them. I still have my family. Actually, I have more family than I left with. While I have a loving family that cares for me and misses me at home, I also have a family here. God has given me Mabe & Fabi. My Ecuadorian parents. More people who call me “Daughter” and give me a glimpse of what it looks like to be a child of God. I have seen more of God’s character revealed through Mabe & Fabi’s love than I have ever seen in anyone before. They’ve taught me about love, grace, generosity, obedience, and family. Since we only have one week left with them, I am writing this blog in order to honor Mabe & Fabi, to let people into the blessing it’s been to live with them, and also for me to look back and reflect on in the future.
Love
When you step into the home of Mabe & Fabi, you don’t wonder if you’re loved. You don’t even need words to know you’re loved. Mabe & Fabi serve us endlessly. They impart wisdom onto us. They guide us. They uplift us. you know the name of saying “actions speak louder than words?” 100% of Mabe & Fabi’s actions display love.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Grace
In times where it’s so easy to get angry, Mabe and Fabi display undeserved grace. There was one week where my team was digging near their new house and using pick axes to loosen the dirt. They warned us to be careful of the pipes and be sure not to bust any of them. As we were digging away, it happened. Someone accidentally hit the pipe and there was a big hole in it. Our team became silent as we realized we’d have to tell Mabe & Fabi what happened, knowing they’d be upset. She told Fabi what happened, and we expected a lot of tension & a very upset reaction. However instead Fabi responded with, “The sun is shining, God is good. And does He still love you? Yes, He still loves you, so I still love you.” The grace he displayed put my entire team in tears. Where anyone else would react with anger, God used Fabi to teach us about His character and His forgiving nature.
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:4-5
Generosity
Mabe & Fabi are generous with their resources and with their time. They wake up early and go to bed late because they spend each week day providing us with food, clean bedding, and time to hang out with us and love on us. This past weekend they drove us an hour away simply to get tea tree oil. They asked for nothing in return. On the way home Fabi pulled the van over and we walked into a popsicle shop. Mabe said to us “Your dad is buying you each a popsicle, whichever you want.” When we were really the ones in debt, they still give to us. They love us and it’s obvious.
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8.
Obedience
Mabe & Fabi push all 40-something of us racers to do what the Lord calls us to, not what is easy. They pray persistently, and then they listen. They know we’re homesick and want to be with our families, but they remind us we came to serve God, and being where He called us is far better than being comfortable. Mabe taught me a lot about obedience today when she talked about Jonah being called to Nineveh, but instead He disobeyed and ended up in the belly of a fish. He had enough peace to fall asleep, so obedience isn’t about peace and comfort. Obedience is about doing what God tells us even when it’s the very last thing you want to do. But even when we disobey, God works all things together for good.
And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. 2 John 1:6
Family
My team (team Hope) was lucky enough to be chosen to stay home and serve them as our ministry each Friday. Because of this, we’ve gotten really close with them as we’ve helped them with their new home and garden. They’ve welcomed us into their life and I know we’re family for the long haul now. They went from being just our hosts to being our parents. Even on off days they’ll gladly welcome us into their home and we get to share meals with them. We’ve laughed with them, cried with them, and shared victories with them. I am learning that family is about saying the hard & holy things even when it’s not what you want to hear, but it’s also about doing all things through love and not duty.
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. Ephesians 2:19-22
MABE & FABI DESERVE THE WORLD!!!!
Okay. So now you know they’re awesome. They’ve hosted hundreds, if not thousands, of world racers. We are fundraising for some finishing touches for their new home. We only have a few days left to raise money, so if you want to donate to their funds, please reach out to me! The link is on my facebook and I’ll also add it below. If you feel lead, please help Team Hope/Gap V thank Mabe & Fabi in a tangible way.
https://give.adventures.org/fabimabe/?fbclid=IwAR1nZnl2R-VFVBtJTrEq-s5eymyV3M4xZDuVt5ammOz_4anR893zZq67QiM
