Three months in, and I think I’m finally settling into the idea that I am on the World Race. Phew… although I never confessed it in this blog, I wondered if it would ever happen. I mean, at home, I would never attempt to write a blog with 5 people playing djembes and attempting silly tribal singing a mere 15 feet away. Which is exactly what’s happening right now.
Things are just different on the race.
This month, my team is living with 3 other teams in a hostel that I’m sure has never had this many people and this much stuff within its walls. (I vaguely remember a time when I lived by myself in an apartment that was neat and organized. But I might just be making that up- it’s hard to say anymore.) We’re working with an organization called Volunteer in South Africa, assisting in programs designed to keep less-privileged kids off the streets and involved in sports and other activities. Each day, I get to squeeze into a wetsuit and help with the surf school. (No, I’ve never surfed before this, but, fortunately that wasn’t a prerequisite to help out!) It’s been great to work with kids again, and it’s neat to see how the opportunity to surf and spend time with us is a strong motivating factor in their lives. The people of South Africa are a blessing to be around, and the openness of this country is a refreshing change from the closed climate of China. Being able to communicate in English is a treat, too!
As far as my growth is concerned, there are some seeds that God has planted that are starting to germinate. I’m not entirely sure what they’ll turn out to be, but, I’m trusting that they’ll be beautiful! Two seeds that I’ll share here:
-When I was in the Philippines, God started working on removing my fears, and that was a consistent theme during my stay in China. It’s my desire to continue to receive God’s love more and more fully, and, as I was meditating on 1 John 4:18 (“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.”) I realized that God has to expose and reveal my fears in order for them to be cast out. Walking the path to God’s perfect love has been an interesting, and at times uncomfortable, process.
-In times when I’m missing home, God reminds me to be joyful. (Philippians 4:4, I’d like to point out, is a command: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice!”) And, honestly, I’ve wondered how exactly to DO that when I’m feeling down. But yesterday, something cool happened. I was having a tough day, and, God kept putting people in my path who were QUOTING Philippians 4:4. It was super-obvious that God was highlighting the message. At the end of the day, I ran into one of our squad leaders, Joshua, who was like, “Look at you! You’re always so joyful!!!” What?!? And that’s when I got it: being joyful isn’t something I do. It’s something I am. I have a LOT more to say about this, but, I think that it will make a really nice future blog, so…
…I guess that’s all for now! Have a fantastic Thanksgiving- we have so much to be thankful for!!!
P.S. Sorry for the lack of pics, I'll try to add some to the next blog. Internet quality permitting. =)
