Classify me as an extremist. It's
probably an accurate classification. However, what I am learning is
it's actually in all of our DNA to jump from one black square to a
white one, only to find ourselves jumping back to the black... before
returning to the white.
As I began to notice this all-too-prevalent trend, I wondered why it was so easy to go from one extreme
to the other. I was an all or nothing gal. I either spent ample
times with the Lord, or I completely neglected Him. I either really,
really loved you... or, I didn't. It's easy to go black and white with
certain issues in our world: alcohol, for instance. Tithing that
20%... not a dime more or less.
I dare say that this “black and
white” style of living has robbed us of the Spirit. If I live in
the black, I know exactly how to live. If I live in the white, I
know exactly how to live. I know what to do. What not to do. It's
clear. It's defined.
But what about that gray? What about
the in between? What about where we have no rules? No boundaries?
No definition of what is right and what is wrong? Why is it so
uncomfortable to live there?
It requires dependency. Not on
ourselves. Not on a clearly defined outline. Instead, it requires
walking in the spirit on a moment to moment basis. It requires not
acting on our emotions, on our flesh, on what we know. Rather,
listening to the sweet sound of the spirit leading you... and
following that voice.
Then listening again.
Then following.
And
listening as you follow.
It's continual. It takes active effort.
It's not easy. It requires more of us. More than the "check list" we are supposed to follow.
I am learning what it means to depend solely on the Holy Spirit. It's a beautiful thing to learn. Sometimes I feel lost in this land of
gray. But one thing is for sure... it's where I depend on Him the
most. I have to. I'll get lost if I don't.
[mustaches in gypsyland. photo also taken by emily.]
After 36 hours of planes, trains, and automobiles, we arrived in Viile Tecii, Romania, a small gypsy village filled with sunflowers, corn fields, green rolling hills, and beautiful faces.Arriving well after midnight, we quickly divided up according to the homes we would be living in for September. We were welcomed into our female quarters, threw down our bags, and crawled into some strangers' beds.
As we laid in bed, we could not help but notice how comfortable we felt in these strangers' beds. It already felt like home to us.They already felt like family to us.That feeling was so rare to me before the race. Even in homes that I was welcomed in, I still felt like a guest tip-toeing around. I still tossed and turned due to the unfamiliarity of my surroundings. But then, in Viile Tecii, I realized I finally understood these people weren't strangers at all…
[andreea and alex. photo taken by jesse.]
The Holy Spirit is the common thread that runs through all believers… weaving in and out of hearts all over the world. Once we grasp this concept, that the same Jesus that lives in me, the same God that I live my life for... is that same God that resides in your heart... we won't feel like strangers at all. We are family. This year, I have gotten to meet a lot of that family. What a joy it has been for them to paint a clearer picture of the way I believe the Lord intended the body of Christ to operate.
[lily and abi. photo also taken by jesse.]
My Gypsy Papa, Abi. My Romanian Mother, Lily. My sweet sisters, Andreea and Alex. My adorable little brother, Adi... just a few of the members of my family.
Miss Jesse Diane Walsh. With her in
your life, you are bound to experience more joy, dance more, laugh
more, probably get more things done [at least that's true for me],
exercise more, enjoy Starbucks more, and love life more.
I remember almost a year ago, driving
to Gainesville, Georgia for the World Race training camp. My heart
raced as I wondered what I had gotten myself into. I remember
passing a girl: hood up, jamming out, windows down. I wondered if
she was headed to the same destination. With each followed turn, I
could only hope we were in this thing together. After all... she at
least looked normal...
When my mom wasn't there to give me my
box of Necco Sweethearts for Valentines Day, Jesse made a box for me.
When my little sister wasn't there to laugh histerically at things
only the two of us think are funny... Jesse has been right here
laughing with me. When my older sister wasn't there to worry about
me... Jesse has made sure [again and again] that my Epi-pen was
handy. She has been my glimpse of home in a foreign land. I can't
imagine this journey without her by my side.
I cannot begin to count the many things
I have learned from this chick [there's some Jesse lingo for you].
She has taught me to follow through; to be thorough. She has taught
me to enjoy life to the fullest. She loves her friends more than
anyone I know. She learns and knows people better than most. She
pays attention to details. She is disciplined. She chooses joy...
daily.
I have watched her walk into freedom.
I have watched her desire to pray increase. I have seen her wisdom
grow. I have seen her pour out love to children all over the world.
I have gotten the privilege to watch Jesse come to life... and share
that life with everyone she encounters.
Side note: Jesse needs a little more
money to be fully supported. Read her blog here, and help keep my
best friend on the race with me!
Meet Elvira. This beautiful woman
lives in Rukungiri, Uganda, where my team is spending the month of
August. Tuesday morning, I set out [alongside Bill and Carl] to
visit the homes of people from All Saints Church. While sitting in Elvira's joyful presence, you wouldn't know that she is a widow taking care of children and grandchildren... body weak and weary... instead, you would know this:
She has the joy of the Lord.
It exudes from her being.
Her smile radiates Christ.
She is alive and well in Jesus...
And it challenges me. When I am tired and weary does the joy of the Lord seep out of my soul? Because that's what I want.
His love for people, the Lord, and life always draws the crowds.I am also convinced that a dance party without Danny is like Thanksgiving without the turkey.
Meet the person who has spoken into my life more than anyone else on the race.These past 4 months with him on my team have completely shaken my world [race].
He has called me out.
He has encouraged me.
He has frustrated me.
He has stretched me.
He has come to me and brought to me a lot of hard things.
He has seen in me my best and my worst.
[dirty from our safari!]
In bringing those to my attention, as hard as they were to hear, his words have transformed me.He has pushed me to dig deep into the core of who I am.To exhort someone, you don't just encourage them, but by your words you cause them to move to action.That is exactly what Danny has done for me.He has caused me to act… not to sit idly by and wait for transformation to happen.His desire for growth isn't just for himself.I would venture to say that this crazy kid cares just as much about the growth of me as he does for himself.
It is hard to put into words all that I
learned in Mpeketoni. I will say this, though... God transformed me
while I was there. He used me. He spoke to me. He taught me. The
people of Mpeketoni taught me heaps of what it means to find your joy
in the Lord. To see the joy exude from them, who have far less than
I could've imagined... is mind boggling. It's challenging. It's
beautiful.
Leaving these beautiful faces was hard,
but now Team Powerhouse, alongside Team Ridiculous, are starting all
over again in Mwanza, Tanzania. Friendships are forming. Sermons
are being preached. Transformation is still happening...
[also, after many failing attempts to upload pictures to this blog, I have given up. sorry for the disappointment!]
Oh, my Texas angel [which is also quite possibly the worst song in the world].
Kelly. My mom away from home. There is not a single item that I have needed on the world race that she hasn't had somewhere, deep in her Mary Poppins bag. More than snacks, batteries, shampoo, bandaids, and haircuts… Kelly has given so much to be over the past five months. The way that she sees the Lord at work, at all times, in all things, has challenged me to do the same. She has opened my eyes to seeing the Lord at work. She has caused me to be less apathetic and instead become passionate about the incredible fact that God is present in every detail of our lives. Her strength is far more than most women. Leaving two daughters in the states to pack a bag [or 4 bags] to follow what God has for her has not been easy. But, I know that it has been confirmed time and time again that there is purpose in this journey that she is on. It might not be easy, but she is willing to follow Him to wherever He leads. Her encouragement as I grow has spurred me on more than she knows. When I am walking in obedience, I look up and there she is smiling like a proud mother. She sees the best in people. God has given her the gift to see the good in all things… to “find the value” as she would so wisely say. When I feel discouraged, empty, or like I am so far from where I want to be, her words affirm me, encourage me, speak life to me. I am so thankful for this woman and cannot wait to see where the Lord is going to take her… because I know she'll follow wherever that is.
After spending a few days in Nairobi, Kenya for debrief we headed to our ministry site: Mpeketoni.I had no idea what to expect [a feeling quite familiar on this world race thing].After a 14 hour bus ride through the night, I began to open my eyes as we pulled in to our new home for the next month.This place is far from ordinary.These people are far from ordinary.I cannot wait to share more with you about the beauty of this place.For now, enjoy the pictures of our first few days in Mpeketoni, Kenya!
