So I only have 9 days left on the World Race, and if I were to be honest with you I am not looking forward to this countdown reaching 0. This season of life has been the most incredible I have ever experienced and I really don’t want it to end. I know that when I get home God can still work in my life, and I can still grow and be challenged in huge ways, it just wont be this. Travelling country to country, the different people and cultures and food. Living in constant community and seeing lives be changed both those in my community and around. The fight of spiritual warfare that is out in the open, and even the dumb travel days and craziness that pursues (even though on this one I was pretty spoiled when it comes to travel for the world race)!!
My heart has been changed in so many ways, and I know I have said it before, but I am a different person. There is a part of me that is frustrated that I have to re show who I am to people I already know, and have to re acclimate myself into a new community. This is only due to the fact that I am not ready to say goodbye to these people I have called family the past 11 months. How do you separate from a group of people that know you better than basically anyone in in the entire world. How do you say goodbye to best times you have ever had, and knowing that even though you will still know each other, it will never really be the same. It opens up room for new relationships with these people, but you have to go through a season of leaving for this to happen, and it really stinks. I never actually thought that a group of people could impact me like they have, but well…they have haha.
The one thing that is nice about this is i am going to CGA, which is the same type of community and being challenged so I am only stepping away from that for a short period. I have the frustration (for me at least) to fund raise all over again. God showed up in huge ways for the race, its just a little daunting to have to do it all over again. This next season is something that God has called me to, and that is Stepping out in Faith…basically when I feel God call me to do something to do it, no questions asked (well after praying about it to make sure its God of course haha)!
Its kind of difficult for me to admit all of this. I have prided myself (key word pride I suppose haha)…that I am really good at moving on when I have to and leaving the past the past. Well this no longer seems to be as relevant as it used to be. There have been countries and people that we have left that I miss them, but it wasn’t to difficult for me to leave. There are others though that I think about on a regular basis and if I had the chance would fly and see them tonight.
The amount of things that God has done in my life cannot be measured on any earthly measure. The change I have gone through cannot really be explained by these words that I am typing down. I am really going to miss this time…..and I honestly mean that. I have really found that this is where my heart is. Those who are marginalized and travelling the world. I have never been happier, and it al has to do with God!!!!!!
Don’t get me wrong I am looking forward to seeing everybody back home and exchanging stories of what the last year has done. Seeing family and meeting my nephew for the first time!!!!!!! Chic-Fil-A and Mexican food, BASEBALL, and rocking the clothes that I love to rock!! Its going to be good, I’m just not ready for it…..
Anyway thanks for your prayers that you have prayed for me this last year, they have worked in ways you will never understand!!!!
If you could prayerfully consider supporting me financially for CGA I would greatly appreciate it!! I need to raise $8650 and $3000 of that by September 16th. I am currently at $300!! As always if you don’t feel led to give financially any and all prayer helps thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!
You can go to markmanchester.theworldrace.org and click support me to do this!
