Life on the World Race is anything but predictable and normal. This month is “All Squad Month” which means all 49 of us are living and doing life together. It’s a tricky situation at times, but we have been pretty good at giving and receiving grace when needed.
Our ministry contact is an incredible man with an incredible vision. His organization has several branches. The first few days of ministry were spent introducing us to the different opportunities we could be a part of during the month. As someone who loves routine and having a purpose, this was a struggle for me. Although those days were wonderful and eye-opening, I did not feel grounded, and I craved order.
In search of at least a sliver of normalcy, I climbed up to my bed and opened my day pack where I keep my stash of letters from my family and friends back home. As I sorted through the ones not marked with a specific calendar date, I came across one that said, “When You Need a Boost.” A boost sounded like just what I needed, so I opened it.
The letter recounted a time in the writer’s life when she had two options… Quit and go home or make the best of the unknown situation she found herself in by no doing of her own. She decided to make the best of it by creating routines for herself. God knew what He was doing when He lead me to her letter, and I was in awe of His goodness and unfailing love once again. Her willingness to tell me about a chaotic time in her life in order to encourage me meant more to me than she will ever know.
Because of her letter, I have created some new routines for myself this month. I begin and end every day the same way. My new routines have really changed the way I operate, but I have also learned if one of my routines is interrupted, it is very obvious. I’m so thankful for grace in those moments when I fall short.
As part of my new routines, I am intentionally working to be more thankful, or at least to be more aware of the times I am thankful, so here are 11 of the things I have been thankful for this month…
1. Freedom and a safe neighborhood to explore
2. New routines- daily devotionals and new books have helped create them
3. My family and friends who donated Amazon and iTunes gift cards to me so I could buy the items mentioned in #2 🙂
4. AMAD- a time we spend alone with Jesus every day before ministry. Our contact is extremely concerned with our spiritual and physical well-being.
5. Roof top meals with mountain views and friends
6. Laughter and conversations with my teammates and squadmates
7. Church service in ENGLISH
8. Rain- it’s so much cooler than India, and it keeps the dogs quieter at night. Dogs gangs are seriously a real thing, y’all!
9. My increased hunger to spend time with God through music, books, and reading His word
10. Squad leaders who speak truth into my life and always challenge me to keep growing in my walk with the Lord
11. God’s continuous grace, goodness, and unfailing love that I don’t have to earn by ringing bells or worshiping idols because Jesus paid my debt when He was crucified on the cross
Nepal has been magical, but it has also been very stretching. There is so much hurt and brokenness here, but also so much faith and joy. The believers that make up just 1% of the population are fully trusting in the Lord and extremely loyal to Him. I can’t believe we leave in a week! I will forever be thankful for all I learned here. Nepal will always hold a piece of my heart.
