The first 5 months of the race were hard physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
My Month 1 in Mozambique was physically challenging. I went from 30below weather to 120 degrees with 80% humidity. There was no fan, breeze, or shade. Our shelter from the sun was a 2 person room and there were 6-7 of us. My diet changed significantly. The beetles, spiders, and moths attacked us like the zombies in the Walking Dead.
My Month 2 also challenged me physically. We had no toilets for a while, we had birds and feces multiplying in our shower, it was always hot or storming, and if I ever wanted time away from my squad I would be chased and teased by children.
My Month 3 was the hardest. I was lost in a bubble of confusion about my romantic relationship, two of my squad mates went home, and I was nervous that my ministry would hurt the community of Antananarivo more than it would help. I also did ministry at least 8 hours a day and sometimes wouldn’t get a day off. I had little time to catch my breath.
My Month 4 was amazing. It was my first time not having scheduled ministry and God really supplied miracles. My team was united and well rested.
My Month 5 was Sri Lanka and as you can read in my previous blog, it was rough. I was violated by the people I wanted to help, and my team struggled immensely.
My Month 6 is unlike any of these months.
The hardships of the first 5 months have now become a part of life. I am experiencing so much freedom because I have lost the concepts of comfort, beauty, and cleanliness.
Physically challenging living conditions are now fun and make great stories.
The numerous emotions of the race are no longer “drama”, but a healthy release of reality.
I no longer see a new country, I see God’s people. I no longer see weird fashion statements, I see beauty in all cultural looks. And my feeling clean or pretty is now based on where my heart is at instead of where my body has been or what i wear.
What was once challenging has now become neutral so that I can be challenged in other areas.
I now see that ministry is made from long lasting relationships. It’s hard to see that the longest relationship I’ll have on the race with a local is a month.
I can now see all the fruitful ministry/relationships I had and will go back to when I get home. It’s hard to not say “I’ve been healed! I can go back now! I’ll be more useful there.”
It’s hard to remain where I’m at when I finally see that right now I’m not building the kingdom on the World Race as much as God is building me up to go home and continue reaping the many seeds he and I already sowed.
I signed up for 11 months and even though it doesn’t feel like it at times, it will take 11 months for God to finish building me in this season. So I will finish these next 5 months with patience and the expectation of God molding me into meekness and boldness in preparation for returning home.
“For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
James 1:3-4
Please pray for my steadfastness in these next few months!
Thank you!
