I am excited to say that I am finally home in California!! I arrived this past Saturday and had a wonderful welcoming dinner with my family. I also got to meet me niece for the very first time! Isn’t she beautiful!!! 😀
Before my return to California, I had been in Fort Lauderdale, Florida since the end of October. My team worked with an organization called Hope South Florida. Hope South Florida fights homelessness in and around Fort Lauderdale. They provide long term and crisis shelter for many families throughout the area. Our team really enjoyed working with them. We got to set up housing, clean apartments, put together gift bags, work food lines and get to know their clients. (website below)
Even though I really enjoyed working in Fort Lauderdale with Hope South Florida, transitioning back into the USA has been difficult. Fort Lauderdale is a pretty wealthy and nice area, so it was strange seeing so much wealth after coming from months and months of poverty countries. I think it was really beneficial to see that even where there are pockets of wealth you don’t have to look far to see poverty. Fort Lauderdale has mansions and yachts all over the place, but if you look closely you will also see homeless, hungry, and hurting people. It opened our eyes to the fact that the hurting are all around us in every city, even rich extravagant cities. It was good for me to get that perspective and I want to keep that knowledge for the future. None of us have to go far to help those in need. I’ve done a lot of things this year in many different countries but ultimately I want to keep the mindset of doing those things wherever I am, even in my own backyard.
Another different aspect of being back in the USA is that I feel that I am looking at things with new eyes. Things that used to be normal and accepted, now look different to me. I am able to question certain things of this American culture and mindset that I didn’t even notice before. It’s different and I like it, but it also makes transitioning into American more difficult and uncomfortable. Of course I don’t have to worry about completely transitioning into American society just yet. As most of you know, I am going back out onto the field leading another World Race team around the world! Even though I know I need lots of rest before I go, I am very excited to be heading out again in January!
Something I learned this past year is that I have a heart for discipleship. Before the race I thought that God would give me a heart for a certain people group or certain type of ministry. But what I have found is that God has given me a heart for Americans and for other believers! This past year I have loved being able to mentor and lead those on my own squad. I loved being able to play with orphans and talk with widows, but what got me most passionate was talking and helping to grow others that were working alongside me! I love being able to hear where they are, pray for them, and love them in whatever way I can. I am excited to lead this next trip because this will be my main objective; to prepare and train those who are going out as the hands and feet of Christ. To grow and encourage those who will then go out and continue to serve the least of these for many years to come.
Please continue to follow my blog as I prepare for yet another adventure that God has put me on. Thank you all for your love and support this past year. I have been blessed to share my experiences this past year with you all and excited to share many more. Hope you all have a fabulous Thanksgiving with your families.
Many Blessings!
Steph
