One worry that I had coming on the Race was getting sick, but I knew it would happen eventually. Boy did quite the journey start on January 26th. It all started with some chest congestion and coughing… exactly three weeks later I am writing this as I travel home to Fayetteville, Arkansas to find out exactly what’s wrong and get better.
While the title of this blog includes the word “unexpected”, I am confident to say that this was NOT unexpected in the eyes of the Lord. He knew this was going to happen the moment I committed to doing this nine-month trip around the world. It’s hard to understand why this is happening, but He has given me so much peace in making this tough decision. After multiple hospital visits and no real answers, I decided that it would be best to go home to get the right treatment and real rest. I knew that healing and recovery in India was not in the near future and I didn’t want to risk getting any worse.
I am sitting in the Delhi airport alone. This is the first time I have been alone since September. I was anxious when thinking about flying by myself across the world. Right when I was dropped off I was overwhelmed with loneliness, but the Lord was quick to bring me peace in that. On my first flight I could feel the Holy Spirit giving me a smile and the right words to say to the people I was sitting next to. He guided my conversations and I was able to make some new friends. As my body went back into survival mode landing in the Delhi airport I was given the strength to make it through immigration and to my gate… keep in mind I hadn’t been able to walk to the meal tent from where we were staying in India for three weeks. Truly He is giving me supernatural strength as I travel.
I cannot express how thankful I am for the prayers and support throughout this last three weeks from my leaders, squad, team, family and supporters back home. To my squad family in India… I will miss you like crazy while I am gone but am praying for you all every single day. I will be praying for a renewed passion each day as well as your individual prayer requests. To my team… wow. Fervent, you all are some of the strongest people I know. I miss you already but know you will continue to do amazing things and grow even more together. To my family and those who have prayed for me at home… you all have helped me fight through this sickness and everything that has come with it. I am so encouraged by your texts and prayers and cannot thank you enough.
Many have asked the question of if I will reunite with my squad in Guatemala when I get better. As of now I am not going to get anybody’s hopes up, but also not close any doors. I am focused on getting better now and will be praying for clarity as I will make the decision to return to the field later. I firmly believe that the Lord will use me wherever I am and trust He will continue to guide me.
I will be home around 6:30pm on Friday evening (AR time). It breaks my heart to leave the Race like this, but I know He has a plan in it. Please be praying for physical and mental healing as I am home resting. Pray that I can continue to press into the Lord even with the distractions of being home earlier than expected. Pray for my team as they process another teammate leaving and as they continue to persevere through the Race. I am so thankful for you all and will do my best to keep you updated on where I am at even off the field.
With Love,
Sarah
