It’s my second day back home from debrief. I’m sitting at the border of Cambodia and Thailand to get everyone’s visas renewed for our second month in Cambodia. It’s nice to get a break from ministry today, but I’m excited to go see the kids tomorrow. I took so much away from debrief: the meaning of my key I was given at launch (which said “grace” on it), a new outlook on God, and an idea of how the Lord has been relentlessly pursuing me throughout my adolescent and young adult life. I’ve gotten a lot of time to sit and just think. Ive gotten to process things that have happened in my middle and high school years and in my first year of college. The evidence of God chasing after me while I’ve been completely oblivious. He still wants me despite of the mistakes I’ve made. He’ll still pursue me even when I mess up. He loves me even without the works I’ve done for His Kingdom. In Matthew 3 when Jesus was baptized and God said He was well pleased with Him, it was before Jesus had begun his ministry on earth. In the same way, God loved me before any of the work I did for Him. I shouldn’t feel guilty about the sacrifices made that got me to where I am today. God has done so much to get me to where I am now, and I’m so thankful.
The first month of the race has blown by, and I’m excited to see what the second month has to offer. I want deeper intimacy with the Lord, and deeper community with the guys. Jonny, Noah and I had our first bible study this morning, and we’re gonna keep those up. Christiaan slept through his alarm as usual but it’s all good, still love ya dude (don’t miss the next one or else).
Homesickness hasn’t been as present as it was at first (I still love and miss you though mom). Debrief really helped me sort some of my feelings out and realize the opportunity I have. It doesn’t change the fact that I am excited to go home and see my friends and family and get back into some of my hobbies, but this is all about sacrificing those things to better my relationship with the Lord, which will then better my relationship with my family, and wife and kids one day.
Thank you Jesus for all you’ve done in K squad and myself. I pray that you would be with Cole and bring him closer to You, and you would be with everyone on M squad. Keep all the squads safe, and I pray that Your will would be done with all of us. I ask that you would give us all energy at our ministries, even if it’s challenging. Give everyone at New Hope School the drive to keep pouring into the kids there, and give us the patience as they jump all over us. Even if it means we’ll all need a chiropractor appointment at the end of the race. Thank you for getting me to where I am now, and please be with all of us as we’re beginning our second month of the world race. Keep us focused on You and help us be the best ambassadors for Christ we can be. Amen.
