With one week left on the race I’ve been reflecting on the various things I have learned this year. I have seen the Lord work in the most incredible ways and have learned so much along the way. After this year, it is simply impossible to return home the same and thank God for that.
India service
In India the Lord sparked a passion in my heart for his word. It was there that I decided to read through the whole Bible by the end of the race. India taught me so much about what service means. Ministry felt challenging me, and sometimes felt unhelpful, but the Lord showed me that Jesus never turned down an opportunity to serve no matter what the task at hand was.
Nepal Holy Spirit
One of the hardest months of my race. I found ministry challenging, living conditions were challenging, and I got very sick. However I learned so much most about the Holy Spirit in Nepal. I learned that the Lord has Spiritual gifts for me and I don’t have to do anything to earn them. I don’t have to work to earn gifts from the Lord. He wants to give them to me because he’s a good father who wants the best for me. So cool.
Thailand miracles
One of my favorite months on the Race. Our incredible hosts PJ and PA taught me how to live interruptably. They showed me what it looks like to drop everything in order to help someone or do something for the gospel. I learned about hospitality through the way they welcomed us into their home. It was such a beautiful picture of how the Lord wants to invite us into His home. I also saw the Lord work in some really crazy ways! I saw so many miracles happen—from stomachs healed to a woman walking for the first time and the Lord speaking to me through dreams. God still works through miracles. I also saw the power that my team has when we pray together corporately. We are more united and stronger as the body of Christ. Also learned to play guitar!
Cambodia confidence
This is the month I learned the most about myself. The lord spoke to my heart about who he created me to be. The enneagram was a great tool for me to understand myself better and grow in confidence. I’ve stepped into who I am more and feel like I am more genuine and less reserved about who I am today. I feel less ashamed of the person I am because of what I learned this month and feel free to be who I was created to be. Cambodia was also a Time were my friendships grew deeper through difficult conversations and quality time spent with the people around me.
Vietnam commitment
I met a wonderful woman named Patricia in Vietnam. She has left behind her life in South America to go where the Lord has asked her. She taught us what sacrifice looks like. She sacrificed so much to follow the call the lord put on her life. I also learned how friendship leads to sharing the gospel. Sometimes people need many encounters with Christ to finally accept him. This was the case with Michael, we were one of many Race teams he met. When we got to know him more, he started going to church and learning more about the lord. It was encouraging to see the fruit of seeds that previous race teams had planted. You never know how far along in the process you’ll meet someone.
Ethiopia joy
I got to live at the most incredible orphanage and sustainable farm. Those nuggets will forever have a piece of my heart. Living and with them and playing with them were times I felt some of the greatest joy on the Race. One of my favorite things about them was watching the way they sang to the lord together. It was so genuine and innocent watching them praise together. Being at that compound felt like home. With the dry air and the altitude and mountains I felt at home. I was so happy in Ethiopia.
Rwanda sustained
Wow pastor John is committed to his church. His church that has 10 people and meets in a tent. I learned a lot about worship in Rwanda, and how joyful and fun it can be. I watched people jump for joy and shout at the top of their lungs and dance their hearts out for the lord. It reminded me of how David danced for the lord and didn’t care how silly he looked. I did the most preaching in Rwanda and felt the power of the lord speaking through me. I realized that preaching isn’t scary, after all I’m not teaching my own words, but the Lord’s. I fasted for 3 days in Rwanda and heard clearly from the Lord and learned what it looked like to rely on him to sustain me.
Bolivia intimacy
The hardest month of the race. We lived in a house made of mud in the rainforest where we shared a room with a chicken. Living in the Amazon jungle brought so many challenges, but it caused me to rely on the Lord whole heartedly. I spent so much time in prayer and learning how to do absolutely everything with the Lord. I would walk and talk to the Lord, read and be with the lord, just sit in silence and listen to the lord. My physical location caused me to depend heavily on the lord and I learned SO MUCH. I heard him speaking clearly.
Peru community & service
Favorite month of the race!! I got to partner with in incredible church who was so committed to service and outreach. This is easily one of the most generous churches I’ve seen. They have so many resources and use them all to serve their country. They taught me about generosity and giving whole heartedly. I made some of the greatest friends in Peru. They helped me understand the importance of community and sharing life together. I learned how beautiful it is to do life with people who love Jesus and are so committed to being His hands and feet. We had so much fun serving together and laughing together. #ilovecaminodevida
Ecuador boldness & friendship
This month pushed me outside of my comfort zone in rearms of evangelism. Spending time sharing the gospel with college students was something I’ve never we really done before but helped me realize the importance of sharing my faith with the people around me back home. This month I also got the opportunity to be in a team with some really great friends. As we process going home together, it’s such a comfort knowing the friends I have here with me are friends for life. There’s a peace that comes from knowing that there are people who understand you and who love you enough to make the effort to make long distance friendships possible.
Colombia hope
In Colombia i had the opportunity to work at a drug rehabilitation and homeless shelter in Medellin. This city has felt the effects of the drug cartel and are still recovering from the aftermath and hardships from the 1990s. The men and women in the program have defeated many odds, some commuting off the streets and beating their addictions. What’s unique about this program is they learn to rely on the hope that Jesus has to offer. There is hope for a better future, and this program helps the, find that Jesus is the reason for that hope.
This month has also been one of celebration, because this journey is coming to an end. We are celebrating all the things the Lord has done this year & spending time together before we head home next week.
I am beyond thankful for the opportunity to see so much of the world this year. I have learned more than I could have imagined. I have made some of the best friends who have absolutely changed my life. Simply put, there just aren’t enough words for how blessed I feel for this experience.
See you next week USA!!!
