Clarification- I come home mid-June, not March. I am still in the Philippines. I am not in the United States yet, contrary to what I said in my last blog about coming home in March (I meant to say May).
Now. Onto the good stuff.
My team is a big part of my life. I live with them. We do everything together. I want you to meet them too. We are Granola. That’s or team name, and that’s what we strive to become (the hippie-nature kind, not the food). This is how I imagine I would have met all of them in another life, if we did not go on the World Race. It’s basically an imaginative alter-reality. Like a “flash-sideways” in LOST…
Emily: This month, God gave Emily an incredible vision of what her future ministry is going to look like. Without a doubt, her and I would have met in another life through the ministry of rescuing and mentoring girls who were being prostituted. I’m sure I would have interned, volunteered, worked for or been involved with her ministry in some way. She is incredible and I know her ministry will be too!
This friend of mine is honest, strong, and without fail laughs at all of my under-the-breath comments, sarcasm, and bad jokes.
Claira: As of this month, Claira and I would have met at some kind of healthy people club thing! She is a new member of the I-eat-whole-raw-carrots club. Also the I’m-basically-vegetarian club. And the I-eat-raw-fruit-constantly club. I am a proud member of all those clubs. In another world, her and I would have become fast friends over our mutual love for honoring our bodies through food.
She is authentic, determined and not afraid to be herself.
Abbey: I imagine Abbey and I would have come into each others lives through a social gathering/jammin party. I would have seen how confidently and joyfully she danced and talked with people and I am sure I, the awful dancer I am, would have asked her to teach me her ways. We would have talked more than we could have and met more friends then we new how to handle.
Abbey is kind, funny and inspiring.
Ellen: I think Ellen and I would have connected in many ways: simultaneously using our reusable bags at the grocery store, living in a poor community helping others, counseling at a hippie camp in Alabama, shopping in the boho clothes section, taking a theology class, or at a beautiful beach somewhere. In any other life, we still would have become fast friends.
She is compassionate, full of sweetness and intentional. Such an encouragement to me.
Janie: Maybe Janie and I would have become friends through running. Maybe through a bible study or worship session. Maybe even our brothers sports games. Maybe by getting our nose pierced at the same time or leading a small group for teenagers. Either way, I know we would have found each other because I couldn’t do it without her by my side.
She is selfless, confident, and such a genuine friend.
I could honestly go on and on about this team and how they have made me a better person, but I’m not great at all the mushy stuff, and you probably don’t want to read it. So I’ll keep it short and sweet: I love them deeply. I could not do this part of the Race without them. Each of them has a unique and powerful relationship with Jesus. I strive to be more like them. I am so, so thankful for each one of them and how this team as become a community which became a little family.
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Flashback: Nicaragua
One of the most meaningful places of the Race for me is a certain tree in Nicaragua. When we first arrived at our new home and I came across a beautifully perfect tree to sit in, God told me He was going to “meet” me there. I didn’t hear His audible voice. I didn’t see words flash before me. It was just a soft whisper that I should keep an especially open mind when I went to sit in that tree.
Just like He promised, God met me there during that whole month.
One of my new favorite passages of the Bible is Exodus 33, where Moses has just lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. While they are all camped out in the desert with their REI 3-man tents, ENO hammocks, and mess kits, (kidding), they set up a giant tent to go and worship the Lord in. There, “the Lord would speak to Moses FACE TO FACE, as one speaks to a friend.” (verse 11). Christ did exactly that to me at this tree in Nicaragua.
I would take off my shoes, climb up, and I would talk, laugh, yell, or cry (or all 4) to God. I have never felt Him speak so clearly back to me. It has never been easier for me to meet with Jesus than at that tree. Like Moses, God met me face to face. Not at a church. Not at some religious meeting. Just a random tree that became very special to me.
I think a lot of times we think we NEED to go somewhere “churchy” or be in a certain environment to have God speak to us, but that’s not how it is. He wants to be with us in the most boring daily life things as much as He does in the powerful moments of a worship service. But we need to open that door.
Create space to talk to Jesus in, even if it’s just an old chair in your house. I believe God will speak to us anywhere, but that He sometimes has a certain place that He wants to meet us all at. Find that place. Seek it out. Talk to Him all the time, but just like a friend, sometimes having a special place to always meet adds a touch more sweetness to the relationship. Make time to hear what God is speaking into your life and to your heart. Look for that place that you two can share. Let him meet you face to face.
