I am so behind on blogging so thank you to everyone who has been so patient with me. I have so much on my heart and I want to share everything with y’all to the extent that I wished you were here with me. Last month we traveled from Battambang to Siem Reap (picture) where we spent our last week in Cambodia. I love cities so I was really excited for what God had for us there. Every night we would go out to the Night Market where we had the opportunity to talk to so many travelers. When I mean so many, I mean HEAPS! It was then and there when I realized that traveling alone is OKAY. I am the type of person who really enjoys having people around me probably 24/7 (except for bathroom time lol). For most of my life, I had the mindset of never traveling alone due to the fear of loneliness. To my surprise… After meeting so many solo travelers God quickly shifted my heart and He’s been doing a lot of that lately. Yes, having a community is important but there is also so much peace in getting alone time in that. Even Jesus took some good alone time when He was in the wilderness for 40 days (Matthew 4). He had to isolate himself from all the noise to prepare for all that was to come. That is just a reminder that I need those moments as well.
Every day in Siem Reap I went out for a run ALONE and every time God taught me something new plus I got to see so much beauty (like these flowers) that I miss out on when walking/talking with others. Just like when Jesus spoke to the woman at the well (John 4) He was alone yet it is one of the most powerful encounters in the Bible. One of my favorite conversations was our last day in Siem Reap with João a Portugal guy studying in China to become an Industrial Engineer. He was just sitting by the water fountain alone when God tugged my heart and told me I needed to let João know that he was seen and loved. Now (backtrack) you need to understand something here…. I am a friendly person and I love to talk but before the World Race, I only spoke to people who were in front of me and taking part of my space. Back home if I saw someone just sitting there alone I wouldn’t have had the courage to go up to them and say hello because I had a fear of rejection or even of them thinking I was a creep haha.
Remember when I told you this journey was about getting out of my comfort zone? Well, God did it again and this time He gave me FEARLESS COURAGE to start conversations with complete strangers. The best part is that my heart is at complete peace with doing that now. Ok, back to my story: João and I shared so much about our journeys, desires, dreams, cultures, religion, and of course FOOD! The funny part of this story is that I almost missed my bus to Bangkok but I ran back to get my stuff and made it. Could you imagine if I missed the bus? Would have been a funny story but anyways it didn’t happen so let’s move on (sidetracked)… I know that Jesus planted a seed of joy in João’s heart that morning. SO AWESOME!
Sigh, when moments like those happen is when God reiterates His purpose for my life. My mornings look a little different now cause when I wake up part of my prayer is, “Alright God who’s on your heart today?” I have no idea why I wasn’t doing this back home because there is so much fruit from it. As Christians, this should be our lifestyle every day because we are the light of life (John 8:12). When we decide to follow Jesus and lay it all down for Him we become the light so no matter where we walk or who we talk to we are bringing lightness into it.
I want to challenge you back home to pray and ask God the same question every day, “Alright God who’s on your heart today?” It may be your coworker working next to you, someone on the MARTA train/bus, a complete stranger at a Starbucks (or the local coffee shop for all my non-basic friends), or even the person in front of you at the grocery store. Look up and have open eyes and an open heart to create an organic conversation. Now listen to me, these conversations don’t always have to be “THAT WAS SO AMAZING” and “OMG I SHARED THE GOSPEL” type of conversations. You just need to see it with a different lens than what you’ve been used to seeing it. Create a conversation that welcomes the person into your space and makes them feel comfortable to share with you. Did you know that strangers are more keen to disclose what they have on their heart with another stranger than a friend or family? CRAZY RIGHT?! That is called the closeness-communication bias theory (I learned that in college haha).
Get their number or Instagram (I find this less creepy) and keep in touch with them. Invite them out to eat, dessert or coffee but don’t call them just for church. The moment you make them feel seen and loved you will know (cause the Holy Spirit will pinch you) that it’s the right moment to take that next step. Don’t fear rejection like I did, just lay it down to Jesus. Trust me it will happen but you can’t just quit cause you felt embarrassed. How many times was Jesus embarrassed? MUCHAS!! Grip on to Him and start walking in BOLDNESS. That’s just a little of what I am learning so be ready cause I am taking you with me on this journey. BUCKLE UP.
Just cause I can… I’d like to brag on the people I get to do life with this year. They are truly incredible and day by day we get closer and closer y’all. Just to clarify community is still a huge part of me i’m just finding the right balance to do both. Our team in general is so keep us in your prayers! Finally, I am still not fully funded and still need your support! I am $4,000 short and I know that God will provide but I need your help. So if you feel a grip on your heart to give any amount click the DONATE button on my blog. All donations are tax-deductible (YEET YEET).
KEEP IT REAL!
