I said my tearful goodbyes and left home on January 12, 2018.
That was 224 days ago.
Since then, I’ve been to 10 different countries, I’ve lost count at how many weeks (collectively speaking) I’ve spent on buses and trains, I’ve taught Indonesian village children English, I’ve found myself in multiple schools teaching PE, I’ve preached a sermon in an underground church, I’ve shared the Gospel with several folks who have literally never heard the Good News before, I’ve seen demons cast out of people, I’ve fallen in love with a Kazakh youth group, I’ve contracted 2 different parasites, I’ve killed about 100 cockroaches, I’ve fought with monkeys, I’ve been attacked by Sri Lankan dogs, I’ve eaten more rice and curry than I ever cared to have be a part of my diet, I’ve become an avid coffee drinker, I’ve decided I am a big fan of lamb kebabs, I’ve sampled horse meat and horse milk (I don’t recommend either), I’ve gone white water rafting, I’ve swam in the Indian Ocean, I’ve ridden an elephant, I’ve been to the Taj Mahal, I’ve seen Mount Everest, I’ve hiked about a million steps along the Great Wall, I’ve lived in a Kyrgyz yurt for a week, I’ve gone camping in the hills of Kazakhstan, I’ve sailed across the Caspian Sea, I’ve walked around the desert with some camels, I’ve learned how to say Thank You in about a dozen different languages, I’ve been heavily scrutinized by Chinese police, I’ve been discriminated against simply because I am a woman, I’ve made some of the best friends I’ve ever had, I’ve cried a little bit, I’ve laughed a whole bunch, I’ve brought my A-game, I’ve also screwed up a ton, and, through it all, I’ve learned so much.
It’s been a whirlwind, y’all. A freakin whirlwind.
Here comes the brutal honesty: I really need your prayers right now. I’m starting to run out of steam. I’ve ended the majority of my days lately feeling very discouraged and useless. To be brief: some of my recent expectations haven’t been met, and I have allowed myself to become very frustrated. I’ll be real with y’all: I’ve spent the last week or so sitting in my frustration. I’ve allowed my emotions to completely control me. And while I believe some of my frustrations are valid, I take full ownership of the fact that it is my choice in how I deal with them. As I’ve been bringing these things before the Lord, He’s reminded me that I’ve got an army of prayer warriors at home (ahem, if you’re reading this, that’s YOU!) who have shown time and time again that they’re doing this thing with me.
So, here is my request: pray for me. To be a bit more specific: pray for my perspective to shift; pray for my mind to be on things above; pray for my frustrations to subside; pray for my stamina to resurge; pray for me to finish this Race strong.
224 days down. 99 to go.
Let’s do this… together… and let’s do it for Him!
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24
