Sometimes I sit.
I cannot believe it’s over. It was a long 11 months, yet the shortest 11 months of my life at the same time. I sit and stare at pictures for hours, marvel at the things that I saw and went through. I think of the times God showed up throughout the year. I wonder what times I could have been more than I was. I wonder how I lived through some of the conditions we lived in. I look into the eyes of those I met and wonder what they are going through right now.
I think of the earthquake victims in Chincha, Peru…I wonder how Pastor Nester is doing.
I think of the church in Nauta, Peru…wondering how the youth are doing.
I think of the church in Iquitos, Peru…wondering how they have grown.
I think of the orphans who are living in the orphanage in Bolivia.
I think of the entire community of Backdoor, South Africa…and how the learning center is.
I think of Vilanculos, Mozambique…and how the orphans are doing under the tent in the bush…and how the church is growing so quickly.
I think of Nsoko, Swaziland…and how the community is being transformed.
I think of Durban, South Africa…and how the kids are sleeping on the beds we made.
I think of India, and how the kids are enjoying the changes there.
I think of Thailand…and how the many villages are doing.
I think of Vietnam…and miss them oh so much…really.
I think of Cambodia…and all of the kids at the orphanage I went to there.
I think of Thailand…and the vast problem associated with human trafficking.
I look at all these things, and think…wow…did it all really happen? Yes…it did. I sit today in awe of what God has done. I see lives that were transformed in front of my eyes. I sit in awe of how God used me….little ME…to do more than I ever imagined.
So here I sit today, plagued with the question of … “what’s next?” … at least ten times a day someone asks me something pertaining to my future. I’m not going to lie … I have NO CLUE. I know that God is preparing me for something great. It’s been a rough few weeks deep down in for me. I can put on the happy face … say some odd things … and move on … but if I am honest, I just want to scream at times! While it seems to most that I am doing nothing right now…I’ve been in the States for 3 weeks and still have no real direction…trust me in that I’m still wrapping up The World Race right now. It’s just another part of it all…re-entry…finding your place…finding significance in everyday life…figuring out what’s next. While I know that I need to get a job to finance everyday life … student loan bills are coming due … the US is more expensive than other places … we’re coming into the States in an obviously difficult time.
OK…so what IS next? Well, a job. With student loans and worldly obligations, I need to work…where and what I don’t know…God will provide. I also know that a large part of me is stuck in Vietnam and Thailand, and I am trusting God to provide finances to help get me back there to do more for His Kingdom there…so please consider continuing to support me in that…my same link for support (link in the upper left hand corner of this page) will help make that come true. I will continue to walk in faith. I have many opportunities to continue walking out many things with The World Race…and I plan to continue that.
A HUGE “Thank You” too all who made this year happen for me….seriously…THANK YOU! God has used you in so many ways. None of this is possible without the prayers, emotional support, financial support, and encouragement that has come from all of you. Please continue to support me in these ways as I figure out how God is going to use me next…and continue the faith you all have had in me…God has placed a unique call in my life…and while I haven’t always been dead on with things, I know that He is going to use me in HUGE ways in the days to come!!!!
