TheWOrldRace11N11—–WORN
You know the saying "a picture is worth a thousand words?" That is so true.
I want to paint a greater picture of the race for everyone at home, a picture beyond the seen.
Some people may think it looks like I am on an 11-month vacation around the world.
Let me just say that is the farthest thing from the truth.
Yes, we have been able to do once in a lifetime things.
Yes, we have experienced so many different cultures.
And yes, we have seen God move in ways beyond what we expected.
BUT….
what these pictures do not tell you is what led up to them or followed them.
For instance, this picture doesn't tell you that we haven't slept well for days. It doesn't tell you that our "sleep" was tiny naps on planes, buses, or in airports. It doesn't say that up to this point was a piece of cake compared to the travel in China. It does tell of the fun we had, but there is so much more beyond what you see.
Other pictures do not share that we have had trouble sleeping for weeks or that we have been sick. They don't share the expectations and demands of our ministries. Don't get me wrong, we are so grateful for all of these things, but I want to paint a realistic picture of what the race really is.
The pictures do not tell you of our homesickness and the hassle we go through to find internet to talk to our families. We have dedicated entire days off to find internet, only to use it for a brief hour. They do not share the heartbreak that we have over the things we see and hear. They do not share the issues we have had among each other and within our teams. They do not share how dirty we are or what our circumstances look like. They do not tell of how long we have carried 60 pounds attached to us. Even greater than all of this, they do not share the constant battle with Satan. He has dragged us down, but we have fought back with our weapon, the sWord. As Jesus says to Simon in Luke 22:31-32, we know He has prayed for us that we may not fail.
As difficult as all of this is, I want to clarify that the race has been a huge blessing from God: the good, the bad, and the ugly. In showing a more accurate view of the race, I am asking you to send up more prayers for us. We are all struggling from exhaustion and homesickness. For 8 months, we have been pouring out our lives for the Gospel. Changing cultures, cities, languages, and ministries every month as taken its toll on us. We are longing for our home churches that will be in English, no translation needed. I am in no way comparing us to Paul, but I can relate to his longing to go to Rome in Romans 1, verse 11-12: “For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you—that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.”
In a few weeks, we will be in the Atlanta airport for 10 wonderful hours before leaving for Central America. A lot of us will tear up upon being welcomed back to America. Just as in life, we will be so close to home and the finish, but we will only get a small taste. We know that waiting for God’s plan will make the reward so much sweeter, but we need prayers to finish strong. Please pray for us because none of us will finish this race apart from the strength given by Jesus.
I still need $4200 to continue on the race for the next 3 months. I have already passed the March 1 deadline. Please prayerfully consider helping me finish the race I started.
