World Race Impact

As I’m writing this, I’m sitting on the floor of the Training Center, as the last worship I’ll listen to on the Race is being played. Everyone around me is swaying to the music, singing at the top of their lungs, or bowed down in reverence to our King. I just wanted to paint the picture of my surroundings as I write this.

The Race has had an enormous impact on me, one I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life. Not all of it feels good (although most of what I look back on brings a smile to my face), but since I serve a good God, He will redeem every second I give to Him!

One big thing I’ve learned is how God really is good, all the time, with no exceptions! So many things that seem bad have happened–landslide, Mitch leaving, spraining my ankle–but He has used it all for good!

The landslide is a powerful testimony that brings people to tears, and because it happened, the Black Mountain Home we worked with our first domestic missions has received so much support! Mitch leaving still is incredibly painful for me, but God is using it to teach me how to have my heart break for what breaks His and empathize with others. Spraining my ankle has shown me how much everyone around me loves and wants to help me!

Another huge thing I’ve learned is how God will follow through, no matter how impossible, illogical, or crazy! I went on the Race, the most overstimulating thing I can imagine, and I thrived! I hiked Acatenango after being bedridden with the worst pain of my life for a week! I played with kids all day in the hot Eswatini sun, and didn’t feel the slightest discomfort when they touched me (for those of you who don’t know, I am extremely sensitive to touch, and it can be uncomfortable enough that it hurts)!

The one thing in common with all of these things is how God told me to do something, I listened, and He made a way! None of it was on my own strength! It was all 100% Him! So why should I doubt the next time He calls me to something crazy!?

God’s also taught me so much about the gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy, and I’ve gotten to see just how real and powerful God is on a personal level! It’s one thing to read about missionaries seeing healing in Africa, it’s another to witness it with my own eyes!

One last thing. God has shown me how important and valuable community is! Surround yourself with believers who truly, truly want what’s best for the kingdom, and you will be surrounding yourself with the most selfless, loving, and intentional people! It’s opened my eyes so much to the wonder of community!

I want to end this by thanking everyone who’s supported me during this incredible journey! Whether it was through financially supporting me or praying for me, you have made a way for all of this to be possible, and you have set your investment with the souls that are going to heaven and are being lit on fire because of this journey! And that is a very good thing, so I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart!!!

Thank you!