After 60 hours of travel from Johannesburg to Abu Dhabi to NYC to Panama City to Managua, we arrived in Omtepe. I can’t believe we are now over halfway through the Race. It’s a weird feeling of time standing still and also moving so fast that it’s hard to catch my breath and process all that God’s done in me and through me.
Right now, we are on Omtepe Island. It’s a small island in Nicaragua. We are staying at an orphanage. Some days, we interact with the children, teaching English at the school or serving lunch or helping to rake leaves, etc. Other days, we go to a plantain field and dig holes, preparing the fields for new plantain trees. What is grown at these fields helps to fund the orphanage.
It’s now Month 7 of 11 and God is teaching me a new level of relying only on Him for all I need. Since I grew up in Church and know all the “Christianese” answers to issues, I’m often surprised at all God is doing in me and teaching me at a deeper level.
For instance, at times, I want to complain to a squadmate or call home or simply cry because of being so uncomfortable. I miss the comfort and predictability of home. It’s at these times that God reminds me that 1) He called me to the Race and He’ll give me the grace and strength to finish 2) It’s not all about me, but what He’s doing through me and the bigger Kingdom picture 3) “But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,”Philippians 1:18 NIV 4) I need to keep focused on Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith.
In closing, I’m excited for what’s to come. If we are in Christ, we are going from glory to glory and the best is yet to come.
In courageous faith and for His glory alone,
Sharon
