This is the first time I’ve actually had a chance to sit down and write since I’ve been out on the race. Here is a small recap of my first month out on the field. In a blog to come I’ll try to put all of this craziness into pictures. As for now, enjoy…
Lived in the highest capital in the world- La Paz, Bolivia (11,975 ft)
Visited the World’s largest salt flats (Salar De Uyuni, 4,086 sq. miles)
Hung out at a deserted train cemetery in the middle of the desert
Spent 8 days in the Amazon Basin
Traveled on the world’s most dangerous road (Death Road)
Saw the largest lake in South America (Lake Titicaca)
Boated up the Beni River to visit an indigenous tribe
Hopped an emergency flight to an airport in the middle of the jungle which was just one small paved road surrounded by mountains
77 hours on buses/minibuses traveling all over the country and to Peru
Moved 8 different times over a period of 3 weeks
Made multiple hospital visits to see my sick squadmates (6 or 7 spent time in the hospital)
Two teams were evacuated from their ministry site due to protesting
Prayed for the sick in a hospital
Taught English
Helped paint a small amphitheater
Lived in temperatures from 12 degrees to 80 plus degrees
Rode in over 20 taxis in a period of less than a week
Two squadmates were robbed of money, credit cards, ipads, cameras, passports and more
Spent a few days at the US Embassy, Immigration office and police department
Missed my bus to Peru and spent an extra two days in Bolivia dealing with the Bolivian government
Bolivia was unexpected, exhausting, crazy, and absolutely incredible all at the same time. Up to this point in my life it has been the wildest month I’ve seen. These are just the things that can be seen from the outside. I actually had my entire month planned out a few weeks before but I’d say only about 3 days were somewhat normal. There was a lot of pressure and crunch-time decision making that happened between my co-leader, Kelsey and I, all of which was led by Holy Spirit.
Personally, I went to new depths with the Lord, learned to pray in new ways, and also learned that sometimes I just have to make a gut decision without even hearing clearly from the Lord. These are the hardest moments because I actually have to believe that my Father trusts me. He trusts me? Mind. Still. Blown. I truly felt that coming on the race as a squad leader logistics, safety, medical issues, and finances would be such a small part. But month one proved otherwise. It’s really encouraging to see how Kelsey and I handled all of the insane circumstances thrown at us and it’s even more encouraging that all 44 of us are now safe and healthy in Peru.
With all of this being said, it doesn’t even touch on the main reason I’m here. I’ve spent my time with three different teams, challenging them, encouraging them and empowering them. I’ve seen them share the deepest secrets of their past, speak the hard words, handle conflict well, encourage their brothers and sisters around them, fight for freedom from past wounds, pray for people in the streets and hospitals, worship radically, preach for the first time, get completely out of their comfort zone, and love and serve like Christ! My brothers and sisters on F Squad are truly one step closer to finding their identity in Christ. This is what I live for!
It’s so humbling to have this authority where I can speak into their lives and watch the transformation right before my eyes. It’s an honor and privilege to have this job. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else or be doing anything else on planet earth right now. Here is to month one of my second race and to ten more life changing months!
*Partner With Me*
I’m currently in need of about $2,000 more dollars to be fully-funded. Please consider donating (top of page) to my trip. You have the opportunity to be a part of something life-changing. Not only are you supporting me and my future, but also the lives of the 42 racers that I’m leading and to all the awesome work that’s happening around the world. Kingdom is coming, and I sincerely want your help!
