I hate public speaking. Prior to venturing onto the World Race I would often joke that I “black out” when I talk in front of a crowd. I would get so nervous and end up not being able to share what I was really feeling. The World Race has strongly encouraged me to overcome my fear of public speaking.
Throughout the world the people my team and I meet want to know our stories. They want to know who are these white people and why are they so far from their homes in America? Since the World Race began I’ve had to stand up and tell my story countless times. Today was no different.
My team and I are in Yuchibia, Boliva and we are working with a Baptist Church. Today the Pastor arranged for us to speak at a high school. Another fun fact about the race is that the language barrier usually causes confusion between what we think we are doing and what we are actually doing. For example, today I was prepared to speak to a group of students for about 10 or 15 minutes. When we arrived at the school we learned that I would be speaking to 6 different classes for 10 or 15 minutes. My stomach dropped. I could probably swing one class, but to talk to 6 different classes? Come on! Then I quickly realized that I had a choice.
I had a choice to pout and complain about the miscommunication or I could just roll with it. I reluctantly chose the later option, and I am so glad I did. For the next couple hours my team mates stood by my side while I spoke to 6 different classrooms of high school students. I wasn’t quite sure what to say, but God moved.
I started out by asking a question. I asked the students “what would you do for love?” I then recounted a very silly story about my 8th grade crush. When I was in the 8th grade I learned that a boy I had a crush on wanted a certain pair of designer jeans. He couldn’t afford the jeans, so what did I do? I went out and bought the jeans. Sorry mom, I don’t think you know I used your JcPenny credit card to purchase these jeans. I thought this extravagant purchase would get him to like me. My plan didn’t work.
My point in telling the story was to illustrate the crazy things we do for love. Then I told the students that God loved us so much that He gave His only son, Jesus to us. He gave us His son so we don’t have to do anything extravagant like buy a pair of jeans we can’t afford. All we need to do is offer Him something priceless. Our heart.
At one point I looked out into the crowd and I saw a young girl with tears in her eyes. I am blown away that God would make a way for me, a girl who used to be terrified of public speaking to speak to not one, but 6 groups of high schoolers. That’s our God. When you follow Him, He breathes redemption into areas we don’t even know need restoration. You see, I was terrified of public speaking because I doubted myself. During the past 10 months, God has consistently and lovingly shown me who I am. Who I belong to, and that truth has made me more confident.
If you are reading this, you were in those classrooms with me today. Your support, your prayers, and your encouragement have helped to carry me these past 10 months. I’m grateful for you. God willing, I will be home on May 21. Please keep me in prayer to finish strong, and for help as I try to navigate a job search when I return home. I am very overwhelmed by the idea of creating a resume and searching for jobs. I guess I am just going to have to roll with it! Thanks for your love!
