This post is difficult for me write and I want to inform all of my supporters who have followed me on this journey from the start.
So here I am. I’m back home in America. I arrived a little over a week ago.
Anyone who know what’s been going on back home knows my dad has been battling stage 4 Prostate and Bone Cancer, along with COPD for the past two years. Leaving to go on the Race I was terrified of leaving my dad for 11 months because I knew his cancer would only continue to attack his body and spread. But up until leaving for the Race, God gave me peace about my decision and told me this year would be a year of sacrifice. Little did I know, my sacrifice would include having to leave the World Race early.
So I left to bring the good news to the very ends of the earth. There were hard times of missing the comforts of America, but boy was I thriving.
Now about a month ago, I received a text from my older sister Kelly in Ethiopia informing me my dad was switching his treatment soon because the intense chemo he has been receiving isn’t working anymore. His numbers keep going up despite the heavy rounds of chemo. He is now switching to chemo pills, which are said to be less effective and not do as much.
I felt helpless all the way in this remote village where I received this news with spotty Wi-Fi. I called my sister and was told I should come home immediately to spend time with my dad, while there was still time left. I was shell-shocked. God had called me all the way to Africa, surely I should stay? I then spent a week praying and seeking guidance from the Lord. I cried out to the Lord as I asked what my options were and asked for his help in my decision. This decision proved to be a lot harder and I knew it was strictly between the Lord and I, even though I felt like I had all this pressure around me to have an immediate answer.
As I was getting ready to fly to Rwanda, for my 10th month of the Race, I connected to Wi-Fi at the airport and was blown up with texts and missed called from my sisters. My dad was in the emergency room once again. He was having an incredibly difficult time breathing and had a build up of fluid between his lungs. He would be in the hospital for 8 days, as they would figure out how to remove the fluid. This was my answer. God solidified I needed to get on a plane and come back to America.
God has sustained my dad through much and I owe everything to my heavenly Father. You see, people have said my dad should’ve already passed away by now. His body has been through so much and all of the lesions he has within his body say otherwise. But God continues to preserve his body. Also not to mention the incredible strength my dad posesses. Another incredible fact is that my dad’s cancer metastasized throughout his bones and could’ve very well have spread to his organs, which would’ve caused my dad to go quicker.
Once I got to Rwanda, I bought a plane ticket to fly home on the fourth. I arrived in Miami, Florida on the fifth of July and have been with my family since then. I’ll admit this is very hard. Every part of my being wishes I could still be on the field finishing my time out with the squad in Africa, but God has me here to finish my 11th month in America with my dad.
Over the span of this past month I’ve wrestled with a lot of life questions. One reoccurring question, being should I have even left to go on the race if this was going to happen? This question was quickly answered by a couple of my close squad-mates who told me I was 100% suppose to come on the Race. God has molded and changed me in so many incredible ways this year. He taught me how to be a hard-worker, how to sacrifice, and how to serve God above all else. I was supposed to experience all of these things to be equipped to spend this time with my dad. God has been preparing me this year to be a servant and share God’s love with my father. I’ve already begun to share my experiences with my father and I can’t wait to share more.
One other huge lesson God has taught me throughout these last couple years is obedience. Obedience has been a powerful lesson and has ultimately served as a gift to me. Through my obedience to the Father, I continue to experience redemption and wow have I seen the power of redemption throughout my family. The moment I chose to forgive my father, I quickly saw a real and honest man and most importantly a loving dad. And being home just continues to bring redemption. My siblings have all come home to be with my dad and it’s such a beautiful thing to take part in.
Being home is hard, but I know it’s where I’m supposed to be. I plan on staying in Florida indefinitely as I try to spend as much time with my dad as I can.
To all my supporters, I want to thank you so so incredibly much for supporting me from the start. I have tears in my eyes as I write this because I couldn’t have gone on the World Race without YOU. The World Race has changed my life and you have allowed me to love the least of these.
And last to all my squad mates, wow I love you guys so much. You guys have seen the good and the bad. You’ve known my struggles from the start, and have chosen to walk through them freely with me until the very end. I couldn’t be more thankful. Thank you for all the tears and laughs and holding me as I cried and struggled to find peace in this decision. I think of you often and I’m cheering you on from home. Finish strong and do not lose heart. I will never forget this incredible journey we had the privilege of walking through together.
This has been a quick transition and if you would like to know more, please feel free to message me or shoot me a phone call. I miss you all.
Above all, please pray for the health of my father and for God’s will to be done.
Love, Meghan
