I’ve been raising money for the World Race for 11 months now, and I’m super excited to say that I’m fully funded. Those of you who have supported me either financially or through prayer have a special place in my heart. I’d love to give you a quick overview of the amazing things that have happened so far on my World Race. (Those of you who are monthly supporters, be sure to stop payments.)
In Costa Rica I learned the value of work ethic and planning. We did lots of manual labor and teaching. We taught Sunday school and VBS. One of the hardest and most incredible things that happened to me, is I quit smoking and learned how to not be grouchy about it. Through that process my team was there for me and we worked hard to live as a healthy community.
In Nicaragua we did mostly door to door evangelism and house visits. It was my favorite. I met so many people. Over 120 people have there lives to Christ and we helped teach our translators how to follow up with these people without us. Getting to be part of something so rewarding was a huge blessing.
In Honduras I learned how to see something through from start to finish. I was in charge of designing, drawing, and painting a mural. (Which eventually turned into 2 murals). We really connected with our hosts and the whole neighborhood. For a week a filled in for a staff member, Digna, so she could have Easter week off. In Honduras Semana Santa is a huge holiday. I did mostly housecleaning and fell in love with all of the foster kids.
I really started to learn Spanish in Chile. We lived in a huge home with 10 young women. Of course they all became our friends. One of my favorite memories is our last Sunday there when they asked me to be in a skit with them at church. I knew just enough Spanish to do my part well. Our ministry was working at 2 schools, one of them being special needs. Getting to teach and relate to kids on a variety of levels was wonderful. One little girl named Valentina got really close to me. And on my second to last day there, Martin actually spoke to me. I was blown away! He barely ever spoke and was especially cautious around new people.
Bolivia is the country that broke my whole team’s heart. We lived with 20 boys in two different houses. We all felt like their moms. These boys were either orphans or came from broken families. All we wanted to do was spend time with them. Saying goodbye was the hardest. Our boys (and we) cried for 2 days before we left.
In Bulgaria we became famous! Our host, Pastor Damian, loved us so much! In church he talked about how cool we were to travel for 11 months and really bragged on us. We helped clean up the new church building and a room there so we could help his daughter Tsvetty teach English. We visited church members. And helped clean the streets of Bulgaria on National clean up day. We made the news twice. Once for cleaning up Bulgaria and a second time for attending the local festival where we were special guests of the mayor.
My team got to go to Kosova for 2 weeks. It wasn’t on our schedule but we were so excited to go to another country. Our hosts let us be part of the planning for a kids camp. We dreamed big and it was amazing to see the church transformed into a castle. It was a magical week for kids. Their parents were curious about for what reason we would have a free camp. So we got to share God’s love with them. We also got to live in community with the Christian young men and women of Kosovo. I think they were quite refreshed to be around us because the culture is very much Muslim.
Greece was weird for me. Everyday our ministry changed. Some days we did prayer walks and others we went to the park or a center for refugees. I learned a lot about being flexible and a lot about pouring into people as much as possible. I met a little girl named, Bahora at a park. She was only four, but I went there everyday to see her and hang out with her and her family. One day I went there and they were gone. They we refugees and we’re trying to get into Athens. Another family told me that they got train tickets to Athens. I was happy for them but sad I couldn’t see her again.
Right now I’m in Romania. My group is doing a lot of evangelism. We’ve only been here a week, but so far it’s really great! It definitely pushes me out of my comfort zone. I can’t wait to see what happens here.
Thanks so much for being part of this journey with me. It’s been hard but so fulfilling. Please keep me in your prayers as I have 3 1/2 months left.
