BELIZE taught me the power of a story. Our ministry was teaching mental health in a High School. After sharing a part of my testimony with suicidal thoughts and Jesus giving me hope, a student wrote me a letter about how she felt the same way and needed hope. The power of my story allowed me to reach this girl and offer her help and the hope of Jesus.
HONDURAS taught me the value in holding a hand. That month we worked with disabled orphans and adults. With most all of them, all I could physically do was sit by them and hold their hand. In that, God showed me how they experience His love through us taking our time to make the simple gesture.
EL SALVADOR taught me what it means to be loved by a Church. From the second we arrived, the Church there treated us as family. They exemplified Christ’s love by how they loved us, fed us, and took care of us.
VIETNAM taught me the importance of pressing into God. This was the hardest month for me on the Race. I tried to lead my team by my own understanding, rather than pressing into God during the hard times.
CAMBODIA taught me about my passion for reaching the drunken and addicted. During night ministry, out on the streets of downtown, my heart aches for those searching the bars and bathroom stalls for a fill that will never last. God ignited a fire in me to share with them the One who will sustain forever.
ALBANIA taught me what a “dry season” is and how it can crush a believer. During Albania, I went through my first dry season where I prayed and pressed in, yet was receiving nothing(that I could tell) from God. And instead of pressing in harder, I allowed it to discourage me and effect my everyday life.
SERBIA taught me the ministry of relationships. Where we were placed, outward evangelism is frowned upon and usually turns people from the church. So I learned how to form relationships with people based on interests and share the gospel with them through those things.
ROMANIA taught me the blessing of inter generational missions. In this month, my parents came into the field for almost a week and got to share in a few days of ministry with me and other Racers. God builds families together to represent the body of Christ, and I got to experience this and see the huge impact it can have.
ETHIOPIA taught me all about love. It’s importance, value, look, taste, feel, etc. Love looks like playing soccer barefoot in the rain with a group of orphaned boys. Love tastes like the coffee a stranger took the time to prepare in front of you, making sure it’s perfect before serving it. Love feels like mud between your toes as you help women carry giant jugs of water to and from the well.
RWANDA taught me the beauty in marriage and family. There we lived with a Pastor who adored his family. He led his wife and kids with Christ at the center and they thrived. They made us a part of their family while we were there, and we were blessed beyond measure.
UGANDA taught me the joy of the Lord. I have never in my life seen so much joy in a group of people. Whether it’s in a church, a prison, a school, or the streets, these people will sing, shout, and dance for Jesus till their lungs run out. It has one of the most incredible things to witness.
