If the past is any indicator of the future, I assumed that during the Race I was going to be wrought with anxiety. I’ve discovered that anxiety isn’t something I need to carry around with me. God didn’t create me to anxious or worry about what will happen. He meant for me to experience peace and freedom. Yes, there will be times where I’m stressed out during the Race, but I don’t have to have that extra weight in my pack daily.
During training camp we were given situations which were supposed to simulate situations we would likely encounter during our time on the field. Some of these include having half of our squad “lose” their luggage while in transit, eating food from other cultures, spending the night stuck on a bus, and a mock market. I have heard rumor of some of them through blog posts, and was so nervous about them coming to camp. Every single one of them was not as bad as I expected. We pulled together as a squad, and we supported each other.
I wasn’t ever anxious. Not even once. Not when we were surrounded by people in a crowded market (this Canadian can sometimes have this thing about personal space with strangers). Not when we were waiting for our team assignments. Instead I was filled with “the peace of God that surpasses all understanding” (Phil 4:7)
Lastly, the way I view the whole World Race has shifted. I used to see it as an exciting opportunity to have travel the world, have adventures, and grow in the Lord. Now, I see it as primarily an exciting way to grow radically in my relationship with Jesus, experience community like I’ve never dreamed of, and experience Christ around the world.
I choice my route based on the countries in it. I choice this route because it went to Japan. As soon as I heard rumor that our route was changing I knew that we weren’t going to Japan anymore. You know what? I was completely 100% at peace with it, and that surprised me. I know God used Japan to get me to join iSquad, where I’ve become a part of this family of 40 who were strangers a week ago and now I can’t imagine life without them.
So with that my new route here’s my new route!
Panama
Costa Rica
Nicaragua
Honduras
Malaysia
Thailand
Laos
Cambodia
Swaziland
Botswana
South Africa
(Panama and Malaysia are new and the order has changed a bit!)
I’m incredibly excited for this coming year, and I can’t wait to see how God is going to move in and through iSquad!
I invite you to come and join our journey! Subscribe to our blogs, pray for us, and please consider supporting us financially (there’s a support me button to the left of the blog!)
Can’t wait to serve next to these amazing women!
#StankWorship
I love you iSquad!
