On the World Race, one huge thing I’ve realized is I don’t believe in coincidence. And standing in the street, watching a wicked lightening storm, in the middle of Santa Catalina, Panama an awesome, what some may call a coincidence happened. See, this month, my team was in charge of traveling around panama to find new contacts for future world race teams. Or Unsung Heroes as we call it. We traveled to 6 different cities in Panama and met A LOT of awesome people.
[ William’s clan, Dauphin & Jody, & Bob. the lovely people we met in Bocas – our second stop. ]
Santa Catalina was last on our list and our main purpose, we thought, for being here was to meet up with a family that is starting a surf ministry and gain them as a contact. And we did and they were great! But God had another plan for us here.
Our last night, a missions team of high school students and a few college & adult leaders came to stay with this new contact. Their missions coordinator introduced himself to us and after giving our usual ” 11 countries in 11 months” “finding new contacts” spill, we found out he actually has multiple contacts for us and not only that but knows a lot about this specific town. Aaron shared with us about the brokenness of Santa Catalina, we invited him back to our hostel to pray over the town and the church here, then Allie started to do worship. We got one line into the song, then Aaron stopped us and asked if we would be willing to walk to their groups base and worship with the kids, so of course we went! And I was blown away.
I’ll tell you, just like I told them. In high school, I was basically pretending to love Jesus because it’s what I was taught to do. It was beautiful to me that these 15 – 21 year olds were clearly IN LOVE with Christ. They were so eager to hear about what we were doing and learn how they could do bigger things for God with their lives. They were seriously on fire for God in a way I’m not sure I ever have been. This group of young adults was a sweet sweet reminder that there is a way to have that close relationship with God. No matter your age, you just have to desire it over your flesh. You have to love Him with all that you have.
And it’s a beautiful thing.
So shout out to Orange County, thank you all for being an amazing example of Christ. I pray your fire for Him never burns out and you take that light to all the places of this world – whether that be The OC itself or to a group of missionaries in a field overlooking the ocean in Panama. Keep blessing people like you blessed me & I know you’ll each do big things for Gods Kingdom.
*1 Timothy 4:12.
