While skyping with a friend earlier this week, I was asked how everything is going with World Race. Suprising myself, I unintentionally broke down telling her how overwhelmed I am with being far behind my squad mates in fundraising, and struggling to see God show up in the midst of it all.
After patiently listening, she took the opportunity to pep talk it out….And let me tell you …this girl gives a GOOD pep talk. If she ditched med school to be motivational speaker, I wouldn’t doubt her for a second.
It was in that moment that I was reminded of God’s kingdom here on earth, the community He has given me, and how He IS showing up in small glimpses everyday.
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During my sophomore year of college, I signed up for a mission trip to Africa and was placed on a team traveling to Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). I believed I would fall madly in love with Congo, forcing my group to have no choice but carry me away. Boy was I wrong. I highly underestimated the culture shock aspect, and within the span of three weeks, I wanted to go home nearly half the time. Processing everything was emotionally draining. It was hard to reconcile the reality I was experiencing compared to my life in the states.
In Congo, I journaled like it was my job. I scribbled down every detail I could remember; funny moments, dreams we had (malaria pills will get ya), hard conversations, children, villages, smells, sights, and tastes.
I wrote and wrote, not processing a ton, thinking I would get home, read through my journal, and reflect on each page. That never happened. Although I was reminded of Africa everyday, I never opened my journal to dive deeper, scared of what I might find.
I opened my journal for the first time in three years and scanned through the pages. My eyes fell on day 15:
“There are times where I just want to go home. I am surprised at how strongly I feel this way, but understand as well. We are going through a lot emotionally, spiritually, physically, and culturally. It seems though that right when I feel like things can’t get any worse, I catch a glimpse of God’s love. I catch a glimpse of God’s kingdom. Like, whenever I see pure joy on a child’s face when we stop to play, or a mom filled with overwhelming thankfulness to see her child receiving food. And the stars! The stars here are different than back home. They are big and clear and spread out evenly across the sky. They make me realize how massive and beautiful God’s creation is, and that I am literally in the heart of Africa. Same with the sky; it’s incredibly light blue and the clouds are especially white. Every time I look up, it feels as if I am in a painting; the acrylic kind where the contrasts are rich and strong. It is in these small moments when I feel humbled. I feel God’s gracious love tell me I am okay. I am safe. I am content. And I feel completely at peace.”
I am thankful for my time in Congo; for my life being completely changed and open to a different world. I am thankful for the harsh images I can never erase, for falling in love with the Congolese accent, and for seeing God fill my heart with content, when hopping on the next plan to California sounded like the bees knees.
And I am expecting the same on my race. I am expecting God to walk with me through the checklists, the day-to-day preparation, and then through the actual Race. I am asking to catch a glimpse of His Kingdom in every day situations.
My friend finished her pep talk by telling me that God never calls us to something He will not equipped us for. He shows up at the right moments and calls us at the right time.
I am so very thankful for this truth, and for the small glimpses of Heaven. Whether that is through community, a pep talk, or the color of the sky.
“Let His Kingdom come and His will be done here on earth as it is in heaven”
Many blessings,
Marsh
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https://www.adventures.org/give/donate.asp?giveto=worldrace&desc=Marsh%20Hubbard&appeal_id=HUBBARDMARSHA
