Before I started the race I remember reading someone’s
blog who would ask God for a theme for each month. This would be her focal point and allow her
to reflect on all that she was learning throughout the year. I loved reading her journey of personal and
spiritual growth, so I’ve decided to do the same.
It was hard for me to pinpoint a theme for this first
month in Guatemala. Exactly one month
ago we said our goodbyes at the Buffalo airport and since then it’s been an
interesting time of transition into a completely new lifestyle. The World Race produces a unique culture and
I believe that God has been teaching me how to EMBRACE this opportunity in
order to make the most of it.
I’ve embraced…
– living in community with 4 teammates, 2 other volunteers, and a family of 3
boys
– starting each morning with quality devotional time, prayer and yoga
– working hard and getting dirty by lifting rocks every day
– enduring scrapes, bruises, bug bites and the cold
– going without Canadian conveniences of coffee, internet, tv, cellphones and
clean water
– a slower pace of life; delayed buses, half-hour walks to the nearest town
– small spaces; cramming 31 people into a van to go to Panajachel for the
weekend
I’ve
learned how to embrace these changes with a positive attitude and a joyful
heart. My priorities are being
re-focused and I’m learning that some things I thought mattered really
don’t. When you start the world race you
need to have an open mind and an open heart. You need to let go of expectations
and be willing to grow.
