So this is what it feels like to spend the holiday on literally the opposite side of the globe from our family and friends? To be honest, other than the scattered Christmas decorations and traditional Christmas songs in the air being played by other people in our group, Christmas seems a million miles away. But as I reflect on the idea of the approaching holiday I think back to last year’s Christmas.
Often I hear people talk about what little difference a year can make in their lives, but for me, looking back at a year ago from where I am right now, you would think I was two different people.
December 2012-I was working for a great company with a great job. I was in a position that I could grow in for several years and was good at (or at least in my opinion). I was a lean mean 300+lbs. If I was a knight they would have called me Sir Cumfrence. I could have landed a job as Santa at the mall with relative ease. We had our house that was decorated for the season from the wreath on the door to the monogramed skirt under the Christmas tree. We were living the life I had always dreamed I’d live. I was all set to head up to Spartanburg with Candace to spend the holiday with our families.Then somewhere along the way, the unsuspected happened. We both quit our jobs, sent our dogs out on an 11-month sabbatical with their Grandparents, decided to not-so-fun-draise $31,000, and live out of a pack for the better part of the year all to share the good news of Jesus Christ.
We have been though many interesting times. We started with a children’s camp in Albania, then to a mountain top revival in Bulgaria, spent a month with a missionary family that did it all in Romania, then slept in a one room church in a village in the middle of who knows where India, lived at a home for victims of human trafficking in Nepal, and are currently working in a coffee shop showing God’s love to the people of Thailand.
December 2013-I’ve lost about the equivalent of a 5th grader in weight but I feel like I’ve gained so much more in the other areas of my life. We are officially over half way done with our journey. Even though Albania seems so long ago, in no way does it feel like we have been out of the States for almost 6 months. And yes, some days are much longer and harder than others but the months seem to pass by like you wouldn’t believe.
Candace and I have been so blessed to have this opportunity to serve. We are so very grateful for this truly once in a lifetime experience and know that we couldn’t be here if it wasn’t for all of the love and support from our families and friends. As hard as it is to spend this time of year across the world, we know that the Lord is using us to be His light in some dark places and that He will continue to sustain us for the remainder of this trip and in our future endeavors. Please keep praying for us as we wrap up our time in Thailand and head on to Laos, Cambodia, Philippines, Swaziland, and South Africa. Thank you so much for your partnership in this journey.
We love you all and hope that each of you has a Merry Christmas!
