The more I’ve talked about my time on the World Race, the more I’ve realized the stories I never got a chance to tell because of lack of internet, forgetfulness, uncertainty of if people would want to read it, etc.
I have this idea to do a monthly “Throwback Thursday” blog series for each month I was on the Race. Every month, I will write about where I was that month of 2015, tell stories, share memories, maybe add a favorite pic, and whatever else comes to mind. Super unscripted but a way for me to process the Race while you get to read about it.
So, continue this journey with me…
Where we were: This was month 2 and our entire squad of 53 was together. We worked with Mission of Hope in Titanyen, Haiti.
Theme of the month: On February 9, 2015, God radically moved in my life. There were aspects of Love that I had never experienced. He showed them to me by intentionally pursuing me. This month began my journey of really knowing in my heart how much God loves me. I grew up in the church, but it took a long time for me to stop thinking God loves me and start experiencing His love in my heart. I spent the majority of my time on this roof, resting, dancing, singing, and journaling. This is where I realized my desire for a husband and the standards I have in regards to him. This is where I realized things in my life that were “good” but not God’s “best” for me. I gave up some things on this roof but received so much more in return.
One of the biggest things I received this month is a dance partner. Growing up, I always wanted to take dance lessons, but I took guitar lessons instead (wouldn’t change that). But during month 2 of the Race, Jesus and I started dancing together. We started with ballet and waltzes, but moved to other forms of dance. He would be the choreographer at times and others, he would just spin me around for an entire song. There was fun and freedom and laughter and intimacy in those moments, and I am so thankful to say that our dancing has continued throughout this year.
Songs on repeat this month:
“Arms Open Wide” by Misty Edwards
“Closer” by Bethel
*“Unconditionally” by Katy Perry
*“Sleeping Beauty: Waltz” by Tchaikovsky, performed by CSR Symphony Orchestra
*These were the two songs I did the majority of my dancing to
Funny moments –
Among other ministries we accomplished, we spent a week doing a VBS for the orphaned children at Mission of Hope. Some squadmates and I worked with the youngest group and I have to be honest and say this was one of the hardest things. I felt like I was just trying not to drown in the chaos. The kids were unable to pay attention and listen to our direction, and at one point, some ran away into some bushes and peed. All we could do is laugh and try not to get bit – literally.
We spent other days going into villages and doing evangelism as well as community outreach. We held babies and played soccer with the kids in the villages.
I had my birthday in Haiti and I have to say, it was one of my favorites. My squadmates loved me well, wrote me letters with encouraging words, and even baked me a cake. I spent the evening stargazing and dance partying.
It’s so weird to think that exactly one year ago, February 28, I just ended a day-long bus ride from Haiti to the Dominican Republic airport, and was spending the night in the airport.
Earlier that day, at the Haitian border crossing, they required to check all our bags and daypacks. Everything was pretty chaotic which was actually fairly smooth compared to other times. The ONLY THING that the border control questioned was the fake hair my friend Brittine had bought to weave into Andie’s hair.
My team leader almost didn’t make it onto the plane to Costa Rica because she lost her passport. At 3 am, we called the bus driver and after looking through the entire bus, he found her passport in the trashcan in the bus bathroom. Even calling the bus driver wasn’t easy though. None of our Haitian SIM cards worked in the Dominican Republic nor did the pay phones work, but God provided an American youth group that let us borrow their phone to call him.
Logistics Team – Responsible for getting our squad of 53 from country to country. All of the “issues” that came up on travel days (boarder crossings, and lost passports, and bus cancellations) were on us to solve. These two were the best! #waveafterwave
The question Katie asked me on February 9: “What would you do if you knew you could not fail?”
The question I now ask myself: “What would you do even if you knew you would fail?” (Find the thing that’s worth it)
