Tonight I became an alumni of The World Race. The crazy journey around the world has come to an end.
It’s strange. I am so grateful and thankful for everything the Lord has done this year; I am not who I was when I left home 11 months ago.
My mom’s death stirred something deep within me- a yearning to inspire, encourage, and love those around me more. A desire to extend grace at all times because I don’t know what someone might be walking through.
The Lord reminded me that He puts people into our lives at specific times on purpose. No person who was or is in our lives is there by accident. I firmly believe He put me on P Squad on purpose for a purpose. The people who I’ve walked this journey with have inspired, challenged, cried and laughed with me.
Here is a glimpse of how the Lord has used these people to change my life for the better. I will be forever grateful for the impact these people have made. From the crazies on GFI to Team Summit, each of you have taught me how to love better, laugh well, and to “roll with the punches.”
GFI: (Mozambique, Swaziland, South Africa (USA))
Dear GFI,
Thank you so much for being some of the most incredible, crazy individuals I’ve ever met. The Lord used you six ladies to teach and show me what it truly means to walk in freedom. From fearing getting out of the bus at the border crossing in Mozambique, loving on babies in the hospital in Dondo, to watching me leave you all as I went back to America. Thank you for loving well and truly living life freely.
Team B.A.M (India, Nepal, Thailand)
Dear Team B.A.M,
What a crazy season we had as a team. Thank you for allowing the Lord to teach me what it means to extend grace. You all did an amazing job of extending grace to me as I walked through a very difficult season. Thank you for letting me sit in the bathroom to have alone time, for crazy river crossings, and for building relationships with the women at Zion Cafe. I will never forget late night chats, deep conversations at our table in Nepal, and loving on the women of Thailand.
Team Summit 121 (Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Moldova, Romania)
Dear Team Summit,
Thank you for constantly pushing me towards greatness and for showing me what it means to live a selfless life. I will be forever grateful for the patience you each posses. Thank you for challenging me to walk in my gifts. Thank you for allowing me to talk loudly about my passion to see orphans have homes; for caring for me when I was sick, for climbing six hours up a mountain: being extremely patient in the process; for allowing me to teach as many classes as I wanted. Thank you for being some of the most caring, selfless, compassionate people I have ever met. You truly are gifts to this world.
Thank you, beautiful people for allowing me to walk this journey with you. I will be forever grateful for the things the Lord showed me through each of you. He’s changed us for the better.
Love,
Savannah (Vannie, Vannah, Red)
