Hello friends and family,
This month I have been blessed to be surrounded by many faith-filled men. The first group was a group of men whose children had gone on the World Race. These men opened up to me and my team. They shared their stories and laughed alongside us for a week. I even asked them for advice about staying focused. They suggested meditating or working with my hands. I opened up to one about my Gedo and how important he had been in my life. He reminded me that he is still with me and is going on the World Race too. These men paid for us to go to a pizza restaurant with them, allowed us to join them on their trip to the lagoon, and surprised us with sweet treats along the way. One even purchased certificates to get manicures for all the females on my team. These gifts may not have cost much but they meant so much to me and my team. The fact that these men took time out of their busy schedules to steward us and encourage us in our faith is a gift from God.
After these men left a second group of younger fathers showed up at the camp. Throughout the week they joined us in the back of the pickup truck and at the table. We learned about their lives as we shared about ours. I opened up about my past relationships and they gave me advice. They showed us pictures of their wives and children and we teased the one single guy. One day after ministry we stopped at a grocery store similar to Walmart. My team decided to go in for drinks. I picked out a pomegranate aloe drink and stood waiting for the others to select their beverages. After we picked out our drinks the men told us they would treat us and in fact they wanted each of us to pick some snacks out for ourselves. They said we were on a missionary budget and they’d love to help us out. We were floored and at first I declined but as the other racers picked out their snacks I changed my mind. I was so excited as I selected my Latin American goodies (Penguinos, Bimboletes, Fresa waffers).
A couple days later we stopped at a convenient store during one of our truck bed rides and my team decided to wait in the truck bed. Waylen returned to the truck with a grocery sack. He gave Eva a diet Pepsi and Erica a coke. He told me that he couldn’t remember what I liked so I had a choice between a Sundrop and as he pulled out the second choice I caught a glimpse of the same aloe drink I had picked out a couple days before. He even got the same flavor! Once again I was amazed by the generosity of our new friends. Waylen told me he was just kidding he knew I didn’t want that soda. I was so happy for my drink. I just sat on the side of the truck smiling and sipping as we made our way to the hospital to pray for the patients and family members. God puts people in our lives for many reasons. I believe God is easing me and my team into the World Race by showing us generosity through these men. Their love for God is undeniable and it’s spilling over!
Thank you God for blessing me and my team with generous new friends that obviously love you and your people. They live to shine your love and I thank You that I got to experience it for a brief moment. I thank You that you mold and shape christian men like these.
