I don't even really know where to begin with this blog.
How do I even begin to try to describe how this month went?
I am clueless.
I think to myself that either this is the LEAST typical World Race month ever, or it's exactly the type of thing they try to prepare you for. I can tell you that if I had gone into this month with set expectations that I may be on a plane home right now.
It started out probably like any team's first month together on the Race would. We were all together at the Black Sea traveling from Romania to Moldova and spending time together as a Squad before we split off and having fun celebrating new adventures.
Well, my team was the black sheep from the start. The DAY BEFORE we were supposed to head out to our contact in Moldova they had to back out. We were homeless. . .YAY. So, for the next 24 hours we were scrambling to find somewhere to go. When I learned about that all I really could say was
". . . . It's the World Raaaaaace."
Because it is. Things happen. Plans get changed last minute. And you just have to roll with it. Live with open hands (thanks Tim). We got word of a contact and we immediately just said YES we'll take it! Awesome. A place to go. That's all we wanted.
But. . .
We learned that there were issues that World Race has had with this contact before. He had actually been taken off the AIM contact list. Apparently he had learned his fault, had changed, and was ready for teams again. This was nerve racking if you can imagine.
As the team leader, my FIRST month on the Race, I was like OH great. Well if I wasn't already on edge I definitely am now, but I'm going to buck up and do it. I was put here for a reason so let's do this thing and make it good. I knew I would just have to build a relationship with this man and have clear communication with him.
To make a long story short. . .We got to Cornesti and things were PERFECT. Like almost too perfect. We had an awesome schedule. Coffee and cookies at team time. Beds. Showers. Toilets (INSIDE), and delicious food cooked for us. It was so great.
Unfortunately, after 1.5 weeks we began to see under the surface of all these wonderful things. The past problems we were warned of revealed themselves and we knew we had to get out.
It was a difficult decision, but it had to be done. It hurt because we had all gotten really close to the orphans we had been living with after two weeks and probably one of the hardest goodbyes I've sat through. We were leaving them in an environment we didn't even want to be in. It wasn't as easy for them to just get up and leave, and we wanted so much to bring them with us.
Luckily, I learned a lot about myself and my team in those 2 weeks. I think it built us as a TEAM and as Racers. These were not things we expected to deal with on our first real month on the race. But I was so proud of how they all handled it and had my back the entire way.
We then got the opportunity to move to Saptebani, Moldova to live at a camp and help out around the campgrounds. There was a youth camp going on when we got there and then the following week was a family camp. At Family Camp we got to be in charge of the kids in the mornings which was great and we got to share some games and Bible stories and it was just a lot of fun. Camp life was awesome and it was just a refreshing place for my team.
There is one thing I can say as I look back on this month. Month 2 in Moldova was NOT about ministry for Team Impression. It just wasn't. We didn't do a lot at our first place. The camp didn't really need us, we were used, but we weren't needed by any means and our ministry totaled about 2 hours a day. So, ministry to the community of Moldova. . .no. . . it didn't really happen. But we learned about ministering to EACH OTHER. How do we love? How do we feedback? What do those things really even mean?? How do we work together? How don't we? What are we struggling with? What can we do to push each other to be better people?
These are the things we got to dig into and discuss together this month. It's been really awesome and challenging.
So we have officially dubbed ourselves THE GYPSY TEAM. On the World Race you always have the "Beach team" and maybe the "Jungle team" or "Mountain team" and we've decided to become 1st generation Gypsy Team.
We started out homeless. Moved to Cornesti for 2 weeks. Transitioned through Ugheni. Moved to Saptebani for 2 weeks. Moved to Balti for a night. Moved to Naslavcea, Moldova for a couple days of camping, and now we find ourselves in Ocnita, Moldova on our last day. We have stayed in so many places and been with many different people.
But today, on my last day in Moldova, in the Northern mountains I hiked up to the top of one and just got to sit and stare and talk to God. I just thought about how CRAZY it had all been and I couldn't believe everything that took place in just one month. I sat staring out into creation and just saw God everywhere. It was beautiful. I was talking to him about this month and thanking him for the view in front of me. Then he showed me . .
You see me here, in this beautiful view. Everything you see here is mine. But this isn't the only time you've seen me this month. You've been seeing me all month. Even in the beginning. When things were hard and difficult you had peace. Why? Because I gave it to you. When you had to confront your contact with issues and have a hard conversation you had wisdom. Why? Because it was mine and I gave it to you. When you got to move locations and have rest you saw me. Why? Because we were able to have quiet time together and I spoke to you. When you had deep discussions with your team, some good and some difficult you had hope. Why? Because I was there and I am teaching you about Love and Community through Me. I am always there. I'm always here. Wherever you are and whatever is in front of you is MINE. Whether it's a mountain view or another person. It's mine. And I've put in your path for a purpose. Look for me. Seek me with all your heart and you will find Me. Trust me and keep me as your focus. I never leave you. Don't miss me.
I love moments with the Lord like that. I'm glad to wrap up this month in Moldova with peace like that. I did see God this month. He was with me every step of the way. This was a hard, weird, month. But it was for the best. I wouldn't have been able to learn and grow this much without it all.
Now I'm ready to move on to IRELAND!
I'm SO excited to get to share it with my whole squad. We are going to be able to do some big things for the Lord!!
Keep up the prayers and I'm also only 50% and want to keep experiencing God around the World like this! Consider becoming a part of this awesome journey by being the feet to my body to keep me going financially!! Love you all!
Listen to the Father and seek Him with ALL of your heart. No matter where you are. Don't wait for tomorrow.
Check out highlights from my month 2 in Moldova here. . . 🙂
