My last six months have been a journey of discovering myself, God, close community, friendships, culture, religion, and missions. As this journey progressed, I have had a confirmation from God to now move onto the next season of my life.
While in Kenya, I made a list of reasons why I decided to go on this journey in July of 2011.
- To share the testimony of what Jesus has done in my life.
- To make an impact in this world for God’s kingdom.
- To share the needs of the world with people back home.
- To understand other religions and religious backgrounds.
- To understand other cultures in order to relate to people.
- To discover mission opportunities that match my passions with the greatest needs of the world.
- To grow in my character traits and learn more about myself.
- To gain a better understanding of who God is and develop a more solid faith.
Let me share how each of these reasons have been touched over the past six months.
{My Testimony}
In Romania my testimony changed a young woman’s life through sharing how Jesus has shown me grace, unconditional love, and that He is the fulfiller (as well as the creator) of the desires of my heart through faith in Him.
{An Impact}
In Kenya I have chosen to take 4 young boys off the streets and place them into school…into a loving family…into a future…and into an environment that will build them into strong men of God.
{The Needs}
Through blogs, conversations and newspaper articles, I’ve shared the stories and pictures of the needs of the world. I shared the needs of the people in Serbia tormented by the oppression of the Orthodox church; the widows in Romania struggling without government aid; the gypsy population in Romania lacking education and facing continued prejudice; the crippled people suffering on the streets of India; the people in India living in the misery of overwhelming pollution; the people in India and Nepal lost in the emptiness of practicing a myriad of religions only to appease the gods; the countless children orphaned and abandoned on the streets of Kenya and all over the world; the people afflicted by the genocide in Rwanda who are still seeking healing…
{Other Religions}
I've learned so much about world religions and the people who practice them. While in Serbia and Romania, I visited Orthodox churches and spent time with friends, ministry contacts and priests speaking about the Orthodox religion. In India, I lived in a culture that is immersed into the Hindu religion. In Nepal, I lived among and worked with Hindus, Buddhists and Christians, and visited a Buddhist school and a monastery. In Africa, I was surrounded by the most charismatic and faith-based people on earth.
{Other Cultures}
I learned to understand people in a new light, including children who experienced mass killings and poverty, as well as beggars who know only that which they’ve been taught from birth. I gained a new understanding of other cultures by learning that hot showers make you lazy, that sanitation and cleanliness are luxuries, that education is worshiped, that kids can’t be kids for long, that servants still exist, that women need to be tough and work hard, that a family may have no one of blood relation in it, that my space is your space, that solitude means something is wrong, that walking everywhere is a pleasure, that a 5-year-old walking miles to school by himself is completely expected, and that following road lines is optional.
I made many more observations that help me relate to people of other cultures: A head bobble is a sign of understanding in India. You never know how someone will greet you in Rwanda: A hard hand slap leading to a hand shake or 1…2…maybe 3 cheek hugs (but not too close with the body). Eyebrows rise to say ‘yes’ in Rwanda and Kenya. Car horns in India used not for emergencies but just to let people know you are there and are passing them at all costs. ‘Not long’ means at least 2 hours in Africa. ‘No’ never really means ‘no’ when it comes to more food servings.
{Opportunities}
Among the countless needs that I had seen, I have found myself drawn to a few areas of ministry in particular: Care for the widows, meeting the needs of the street kids, improving sanitation within the environment, providing homes for the orphaned, improving the orphanages and care within them, and bringing healing to those afflicted by national tragedy.
{Character Growth}
I’ve learned a lot about myself through being in leadership. I became more aware of my habits, of how I handle matters, and of how people around me may feel in response. I saw my character continue to develop as I experienced growth in my relationship with God and saw my faith in His perfect timing increase.
{Faith in God}
In the midst of other religions, and frankly in the midst of everyday life, I became very confused as to who God is and where God is. God has shown me what a deeper level of dependency on Him looks like while on the World Race. I have developed a greater, more dependable prayer life and have seen God answer my prayers in new ways. I’ve become sensitive to God’s voice and direction after a very dry season. I’ve learned to better appreciate how God works while He’s working. I’ve learned and re-learned more of God’s traits through my own walk as well as the walks of others. I’ve seen God provide me with direction after seeking Him with all I am.
<With this I have had confirmation from God to now move onto the next season of my life.>
It has been amazing to be able to distinguish God’s voice now more than ever. He has already shown me blessings through this decision. So on January 6th, while in Rwanda, I left the World Race. This was a decision based on much prayer and many circumstances that have arisen while on the race. The focus on ministry to the world has diminished greatly and was replaced by the focus on the team. The race became a place of being forced to reveal more of yourself to your team and submitting to World Race authority, while being analyzed constantly by squad leaders and teammates. Honoring the authority that was placed over you by the World Race became the main priority that superseded your own ability to seek truth through your own relationship with God. Thus, this environment became an unhealthy place for my personal growth and even a place of hurt.
If you know me well at all you know that I persevere through all, even when I’m miserable. God has without a doubt used my time on the field to great depths for His Kingdom. I’ve persevered and I’ve also reached a place in my relationship with God to know that before I choose to persevere through life, I need to sit quietly with God and see what He wants me to persevere through. This race was no longer one of those things, and He gave me instant peace when it was time to go.
Thank you so very much for all the support you have given me over the past several months!! I cannot express my gratitude enough for having your prayers, encouragement, and financial support. You have truly been a blessing to me and to those I’ve been able to touch while on this journey. Please continue praying for my future endeavors and for God’s direction to be revealed to me.
