A year ago I had just graduated college with a BS degree in religion/youth ministry.
A year ago I hadn’t a clue what I wanted to “do” with my life.
A year ago I applied, interviewed, and was accepted to the World Race.
And if you were to ask me a year ago if I thought I would be doing the World Race at this very moment, I probably would have told you “Umm…I’m not too sure.”
Despite being accepted to the World Race, there were various reasons why I wasn’t sure if I would even go.
A year ago I didn’t know if the funds would come through for the race, and I also wasn’t 100% sure if this was even what that Lord wanted for me in this season of life.
Today I can confidently say that God can easily come up with $15,500, and I can also say beyond a shadow of doubt that I’m where God wants me.
Each new month has not only brought about a different country, culture, and ministry, but new challenges and brokenness as well. And these challenges come in expected and unexpected ways. It isn’t always a smooth process, and the temptation to take the easy way out is something I constantly have to choose to fight against.
Nevertheless, I know all of this is for my good, and with all of this being said, I would like to say…
I cannot express my deep deep gratitude and thankfulness towards those who have supported me since day one of this journey. People I don’t even know, and people young and old have contributed so much money for the race, and I can only imagine all the other expenses their money could have gone towards – groceries, gas (yikes – I don’t even want to know how high it is now), bills, mortgages, clothing, entertainment purposes….the list goes on!!
I know words will never be enough, but it is my prayer that the Lord blesses you for being a blessing to me and countless others. It is also my prayer that the Lord would continue to use me as YOUR representative of Christ to our brothers and sisters across the nations. I know I say this a lot, but I truly am honored and privileged that y’all would have the confidence in me to send me across the world to be a light to others.
So, thank you for giving.
Thank you for praying.
Thank you for supporting.
And thank you for loving.
Now, to update you about month 6 in Manzini, SWAZILAND!
The guys and gals of C Squad have been separated for this month and are doing “manistry” and “woman-istry.” The guys are working in the mountains with a ministry called “El Shaddai,” and us ladies are working in Manzini at AIM’s care points.
At each of the 4 care points, we assist preschool teachers, play with kids, and help serve food to kids in the area, which for many of them is their only meal for the day. We can serve food anywhere from 75-300 kids each day.
Some of us also assist with AIM’s administrative duties.
Here are some interesting tidbits about life and ministry this month:
- All 26 girls are living together in one house that is complete with a kitchen, 2 bathrooms, & 4 bedrooms – what a blessing?! And while some aren’t too keen on being in tight quarters with that many people, this is something that this extrovert absolutely loves!
- Living in a house of 26 girls has conduced a YMCA-like atmosphere:
- We have girls who run in the morning right after sunrise (yay for running buddies!)
- We have a few girls who have Insanity and Hip Hop Abs videos on their computers
- I lead Zumba in the evening
- We even have one girl who can lead Yoga
- And since we have free reign over our meals for this month, we’re able to make tasty [and mostly] nutritional meals
- Before we even step foot on the premises of the care points, loads of kids (some half naked) run up to greet us and jump on us.
- By the end of the day, we’re exhausted and covered in dirt, snot and boogers, food from their meal, slobber, and sometimes pee. While this isn’t my favorite aspect of working at the care points, the kids’ joy, laughter, and smiles make it worth it.
- I’ve already become attached to one of the boys at my carepoints. His name is Siphilile, he’s 5 years old, and he was one of the first to greet me on day one. I could spend hours playing with him, tickling him, and smiling back at him as he explores my white face and blonde hair. He’s too adorable.
- For this month the girls on my team have been combined with the girls from Team Unreal Pursuit – Rebecca Burger, Rebecca Spires, and Dania Spillett. They’re wonderful ladies, and you should click on their names to check out their blogs!
- Swaziland is ALL hills…which makes running a tad bit difficult/I thought I was going to die after having to run uphill for 1/2 a mile.
- I’ve never been hit on or proposed to more times in my life than in the one week I’ve been here. While walking down the street Swazi men shout “I love you, I want to come with you, I want to marry you!”
- I went to a Nazarene Church service this last Sunday. We met missionaries from the states there, and they took us out to lunch afterwards and invited us to their weekly Bible study. It was a little taste of home. 🙂
- And speaking of the Nazarene Church, it’s unbelievable how many churches, clinics, and schools they have here!
- And last but not least, the relief to know that I am fully funded and will not be sent home is indescribable! I started crying in the internet cafe when I found out. Kind of funny, but oh well. It was a GREAT moment! Praise the Lord! 🙂
