Last week my first real sickness came over me while on the Race and it hit me rather hard. I stayed away from ministry one day but the whole week I was not well and very tired. So Saturday at 5pm I set out with my lovely squad leader Suzanne to see my very own and first South African doctor. Come to find out I had the flu but luckily not the swine flu. He sent me away with ibuprofen and decongestant to cure this sick little World Racer. In this case with the medication he gave me, rest, and lots of fluid I am much better. Still getting back to full capacity but much better everyday. The only thing not right is my voice and I it is cracking a lot like I am a 15-year-old boy.
After a week of being sick I feel as if I have lost a week of ministry and ready to put all I have into the next couple of weeks left in South Africa. Monday morning I was ready to go and dive into whatever the Lord has for me this week. He really met me as we walked into Camp Joy on Monday morning with newness and readiness for the week ahead. We continue to see individuals finish their programs, new faces, and the hard reality of individuals deciding to walk out. As I share life with my new Sisters and Brothers, God teaches me new things daily. The biggest thing that comes to mind is every new morning there is joy!
“For His anger is but a moment, and His favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry on the night, but JOY comes with the morning.”
Psalm 30:5
Hanging out at Camp Joy
As I was spending some time worshipping the Lord yesterday, The Lord began to speak to me about how I am holding onto something. This something is holding me back from complete freedom in the Lord. I am not sure what this is or how exactly this looks but I have an idea which I am praying into. These past 3.5 months I have had such growth in the Lord and I am on the verge of such greatness but something is holding me back. I pray for freedom and no limitations on the Lord. A big part of this is the box that I have put God in my whole life and not allowing Him to reign with freedom in my life.
At the beginning of the month, I attended my first South Africa Hillsong service and we were challenged to write down miracles we are praying for. Mine was to take God out of the box I have put Him in and to allow this to be Michelle’s Race. No one else’s but mine and to take control of this. This is not allowing my friends Race experiences, blogs I have read, and stories I’ve heard to affect what God has in store for my Race. Allowing Him to show up and move me in such ways that I could never image. The miracles and healing I believe in, I believe they will happen and so much more. So I ask you to rally around me in prayer to hear from the Lord and not just hear but hear what He has for me. As I hear His words they not be what I want to hear but what He has for me. To take time everyday to listen to His voice and what He has for me daily. If the Lord so leads please send me any words the Lord gives you for me.
I love everyday on the World Race and so thankful for everyday to serve Him in the nations. My heart stays full of gratitude to God for this opportunity and each of you supporting me at home. This whole journey has and does feel surreal; everyday it hits me I’m on the World Race no matter the country we are in. After 11 months of intense ministry and travel, I am going to need a while to work through all I just did for Christ. I am not putting a time limit on this because I know for the rest of my life I will be amazed at what God did in and around me on the World Race. Thanks again for your support and continual prayers. Please continue your prayers and consider supporting me to be fully funded by December 31st, I am about $400 shy with monthly supporters.
