Well here we are, wrapping up Month 3 of the Race. I really can’t believe that it’s already been 3 months!
This past month my Squad was in Coleraine, Northern Ireland partnering with the Causeway Coast Vineyard Chruch. It’s the most amazing church body I have ever served with. They have an amazing outward focus with each of their ministries and all around the town people know the church. I feel like the way they go INTO the community rather than try to pull them all in is exactly what the Church should look like every where. I have learned so much from the people at the Vineyard and I know it’s going to strengthen me going into the rest of my Race.
So far I’ve learned that each month is about something specific for me. Last month was about my team, growing and sticking together in hard times. So here at the end of Month 3 the question is “What was it about for you?”
My answer is the people. I came here to serve and pour out into them, but in turn they have taught me so much and served me. It’s overwhelming.
I have yet on the Race to experience building actual deep relationships with the people that surrounded me, but it finally happened here.
While I came in contact with a lot of people I have a few specific ones that really made an impact on me, whether they know it or not.
So Here’s to You . . .
HUTCH: Where do I even begin? You did SO much for us this month. I have never in my life met a man more giving than you. You taught me what it means to give and to be generous. Your heart is so big for other people. Christ radiates from you. You don’t hesitate to do things for anyone, but yourself. You always remain humble. So many of my favorite experiences this month have been because of you. Thank you for golf, and BBQs, letting me help you grill, coastline drives, TIGERS, and opening up your home to watch the NFL. 🙂 You’re ability to give without expectation of anything in return really spoke to me. I hope that I can take this type of love with me. I can tell that you really understand the concept of it being better to give than to receive. We came to serve you, but you served us more than we deserved.
WENDY: I was so humbled by your story. I really enjoyed working with you in the Compassion Shed and getting to know your heart over tea and a wee bit o’ toast 🙂 You’re an amazing woman. So many times in my life I have caught myself losing my fire and my passion. Talking to you about how God redeemed your life and has led you to a place where you want every one you see to have the love that you have lit my fire again. It made me grateful for what He has done for me and how He continuously pursues me. I want to catch this fire and spread to across the next 8 countries. Your faith in Him is incredible, never doubting. Thank you for pushing me and challenging me to step into new areas of faith that I haven’t been to before. You’re going to be an AMAZING grandmother.
THEOLA: YOU ARE ONE EXTRAORDINARY GIRL. I am so blessed that I got the opportunity to talk to you and pray with you. God definitely had a plan when he brought us together at that youth event 🙂 You have so much power. You are so smart and beautiful! I see how much you trust the Lord and how obedient you are when He speaks to you. I admire that about you and want to be like that!! I love my bracelet and I will wear it EVERYDAY! Remember everything I told you. You are growing into a leader for kids your age! Don’t ever give up on the things He tells you to do! You’re going to impact a lot of people in your life, always remain confident in that. <3
ELENA: Oh wow. You’re like a mini-me. I love it. I enjoyed hanging out with you at Studio 10 and playing baseball with you!! So cool! You have SO much enthusiasm for life and no matter where you’re at you just liven up the room with your joy! People are going to look to you for encouragement and you’re going to have no problem giving it to them. You have so many awesome dreams and you’re capable of accomplishing them all!! Thank you for making me smile and reminding me to find good in every situation big or small. I am going to miss you, but THANK GOD FOR INSTAGRAM 🙂 Stay awesome and keep living for Him!
ROBIN: Thank you for opening up your gym to us. You have no idea how nice it was to have a place to escape to. This month we were strengthened emotionally and spiritually, but you helped us physically. You always pushed us to do more and better ourselves. The lessons we learned in the gym are definitely ones that we can use in life. I loved learning from you and seeing the passion you have for what you do and how much you believe in it, but always wanting to keep your family first. I wish you the best of luck and you continue to take your business to the next level and definitely think it will happen!! You’re awesome!
REBECCA: First, you have such an awesome name!! 🙂 But thank you for talking to me about your dreams. It helped me to keep mine alive and not doubt them! Don’t forget what I told you! You have dreams for a reason and keep pursuing them. The Lord puts desires in your heart and follow Him with everything you have and it’ll all turn out so much greater than you thought. You’re never too young to have the big dreams like you have. You will be able to do all of those things and see the world. Don’t let anyone tell you different!! You’re such a joy to be around I can’t wait to see how God uses you!
ALL STAR KIDS: All of them completely amaze me. One of the best experiences I had this month was working with them on Sundays. I have never seen kids worship the way they worship. Hands in the air singing with all their hearts, you can tell they really love God. Seeing them pray healing over one another and encouragement warmed my heart and humbled me so much. I learned more about what it’s like to have faith like a child. I wan’t to be as passionate about worship like they are. Hearing stories about how they pray for their classmates at school and how they want to grow up to be missionaries encouraged me so much. I will miss being poured into by these little ones
This is the part of the Race that I knew I would struggle with. I knew that I would invest myself into people and into a community to the point that it hurt to leave. This definitely hurts. I actually felt like I LIVED here this month and felt like I was truly a part of the community. I enjoyed every single day. So much of me wants to stay and continue to build on these foundations, but that’s not what I’m called to do. I’m still called to go. I know that I can’t go into next month less willing to invest to keep myself from being upset when I have to say goodbye. This is the first month that I’ve really learned what it means to invest and so I know I must continue this trend in the next 8 countries. It’s going to be really hard, but. . . it’s exactly what I’ve signed up for. God has plans bigger than I can imagine.
I’m overwhelmed with everything I’m learning about the Lord and about myself.
Now I can be excited to head on over to India! It’s a bittersweet transition, but I’m ready for the challenge!
