Exodus 33:14 God said, “My presence will go with you I’ll see the journey to the end.”
(Diana and I under a sign that says "Adventures start away from home")
Launch flew by! We were so blessed to stay in a nice hotel with comfy beds, air conditioning and hot showers every day. Launch started a day early for leaders, treasures, and our logistics team.
Our first night we had an incredible time of worship and words from alumni and AIM staff preparing our hearts. Afterwards, an alumni wanted to pray for four of us girls. After we prayed she began to speak life over each of us. She looked at me and said she saw such gentleness and joy. She then pursued to tell me she felt the Lord Giving her a word to tell me.
Without knowing me, my story, or my heart for broken women…she spoke words of truth that the Spirit was going to use me in huge ways in Thailand and that my hands would bring healing and hope to the girls involved in sex trafficking. I was overwhelmed with emotions as God confirmed the call to minister and share my past and story with the girls in Thailand. She told me I would have bitterness in my heart towards the men and encouraged me to prepare my heart for grace because those men need to see Jesus and until the men stop coming, the women will not be free.
WHAT A WAY TO START MY RACE!
She continued to tell the girls in the group that I would need lots of prayer and coverage over the spiritual warfare that would be coming after me. The whisper in my heart was confirmed day!! Thank you Jesus!!
The rest of the squad arrived the next day to spend 3 days together. These days were filled with learning our responsibilities, our roles, and what community was about to look like. We started to bond as a team and are already diving into what being real and raw looks like. Oh, and my team is teaching me to relax, enjoy the little things and be silly sometimes.
(Amanda fell!? and i think we were laughin at her)
(I love these girls already)
(Sometimes you gotta just enjoy some Roman Noodles on the WR)
We are now currently in Guatemala partnering with a ministry called Agape in Action. We are all together as a squad, which isn’t usual for the World Race so we feel very blessed to be getting to bond not only on our teams of 7, but as a squad of 60!
We are doing different types of ministry for the month. Working with a hospital across the street, working with local churches, working on starting a Discipleship Center here in Guatemala, and prison ministry. Everyone is eager to be serving and it is beautiful.
Just starting the race, I already feel that I have learned so much:
1. Packing is overrated. We have already realized that our race is looking MUCH different than the 100’s of blogs we read to make sure we were “prepared.” I learned to abandon early, and that God does provide a supernatural strength to carry your pack (even if it weighs 51.1 lbs….oops. I plan on giving a lot away over these next few months).
2. This is not easy. Getting raw and real with new family is messy. But God loves our mess and is already using us and bringing us so much closer together.
3. Travel days are insane. You never know whats going on, so I’m glad I came in having already let go of my right to know these things and just enjoy the moment and be content.
(at the airport)
(adios america!)
(Jake and I on the flight out of the US!)
(bus ride from the airport to Guatemala City)
(Christopher and I at the back of the bus)
(Emily and I excited to be in Guatemala!)
(Our one night in Guatemala City before heading to Santa Cruz del Quiche)
(Worshiping on the roof…amazing.)
4. Our contacts are amazing. These are the people that welcome us into their homes and communities and feed us, help us understand the culture, and love on us.
5. Working out every morning, even if you are exhausted is so healthy. I’m feeling amazing.
6. Nothing is a guarantee. You could be told your ride will be there at 10, but not pick you up till after noon. You might miss a meal, or be squished on a bus…but God blesses you in those moments if you choose joy :).
(Micah and I…epic photo bomb by Diana)
(Moriah and I)
7. Don’t drink a lot of water before bed….seriously…it is not fun waking up at 3AM thinking you are about to pee your pants when you are in a tent and have to run to the bathroom.
8. In Guatemala you do NOT flush the toilet paper. And apparently I have no short term memory because I have already had to fish some out of the toilet.
9. We take so much for granite in America.
10. You can get really creative on the World Race. It's actually encouraged.
(A lamp made from my Nalgene and headlamp to Journal before bed)
11. You can go as deep and as intimate as you want to with Jesus. I am falling more in love with Him everyday. It’s incredible what happens with you let go of everything, and choose to be intentional about your life.
"Let's live life on purpose this year!"
To my supporters: I am feeling so blessed to be a part of this!! Thank you for getting me here. I am going to try to blog at least once a week. 🙂 Let me know if you have any questions you would like me to answer!! (Click the “contact me” button!) My blogs will not always be this long or have as many photos. I am blessed with the time and internet access right now, but this wont always be the case.
I love and miss you all, but there is absolutely NO place I would rather be. Thank you for this opportunity!!
