Prior to the start of this WILD adventure called the World Race I was asked the question: “Is this a missions trip or a personal journey?” I answered with a firm belief that this next year of my life is indeed a personal journey but I also know the purpose of this trip is to see people come alive in the Kingdom of God. So to clarify, the answer is both. The World Race, traveling the world, and doing life in community for the next 11 months is both ministry and a personal journey. Sharing the Gospel, witnessing healings in people’s bodies and spirits, seeing grown men weep from encountering the Father’s love, arguing with my team, climbing mountains (physical and spiritual ones), 13 hour bus rides off road to go 90 freaking miles, these are the everyday highs and lows of walking this journey. Life is ministry and ministry is life. I fully expect these next 11 months to change me, grow me, shape me, and wreck me. I also expect that to continue forever.
The hardest part about this adventure is being able to communicate the ongoing ons. This is my life. This is real, I am real, the people here with me are real, the strangers we minister to are real, the spirituality of every person and nation is so real, it is ALL REAL! Do not be fooled by the photographs, media posts, or cost of this trip. We are out here making a difference, doing good, and being “missionaries”. You know, the assumed things that should be happening while on the mission field. But let’s not limit ourselves or this trip to these tasks, because we are also ministering to one another, having a blast, and growing as individuals through Jesus and our mentors. Things do get ugly and we share a lot of our mess but that is community, that is ministry. Everyday I wake up with a purpose. I choose every morning to receive a new revelation of my true identity.
I was taught this during our first debrief here in Nepal by my amazing coaches Jane and Mark. Mark said, “The Great Commission comes after the commandments”. The Great Commission has asked us, as believers, to go into all the nations and spread the good news of Jesus. The Ten Commandments state that we are to love God, the one true God. Then we are to love our neighbors as ourself. Loving your neighbor is actually the third command. In order to love your neighbor as yourself you must first know how to love yourself. If you cannot do that how could you possibly know how to love your neighbor? Living this and walking in my true identity has allowed me to continue doing ministry from a place of overflow rather than just constantly pouring and giving more of myself and love away. Ministry has grown to an everyday opportunity to love myself as the Father does, then share that love with others. I no longer lack when giving because I am constantly hooked to the source. I am a daughter who has a relationship prior to actively giving away.
The World Race is an 11 month long missions trip to 11 different countries (well, in my case 12 countries, maybe more). The World Race is also a platform that allows me to take my own personal journey with Jesus. An opportunity to choose to live out “life is ministry and ministry is life”. There is such a joy that comes with seeing His creation, building relationships, sharing love, kindness, and light, all while discovering more of who I really am. There are countless testimonies of the lost being found, miracles happening and identity released. This isn’t just me traveling the world. I’m being shaped by this trip and will continue on a journey till I reach Heaven’s gates.
Thank you for supporting me, encouraging me, and providing the funds that allow me to share my process.
~written in love by your local gypsy.
