Unscripted life in a scripted world

Here’s a recap of my first month on the World Race. 

Week 1: I helped out in construction. The organization we are with is expanding so they are in the process of creating a new building, right next to the one we are staying at. So we got to help dig ditches and remove giant rocks in order to help the put plumbing pipes in. It doesn’t sound all that fun but the amazing part of this project has stemmed through prayer. My team and I are able to walk on the roof of this upcoming building, and it has been the consistent spot where we all love to go and prayer or have deep conversations with other squad mates. It’s awesome to be able to pray for this building and the expansion of ministry that God would lay new desires on the team here and continue to strong foundation of ministry centered on God; to then be able to help the process of building and creating space for this physical foundation to be laid. God has really opened doors and opportunities for new perspectives within the mundane tasks of serving.

I have also been able to help with their kids programs, both on Saturdays and Sundays, which has been incredible! These kids have taught me so much about life. They are filled with so much joy and excitement about everything. They are constantly so eager to learn and interact with everybody. It doesn’t matter that I can’t speak their language, just being able to play or dance or just even make crazy facial expressions is enough for them to be your friend. These kids are so loving and experience life to the fullest. 

     I’ve also been able to help package spices. This sounds so boring but actually is a lot of fun. As a team we are able to help the foundation out by meeting their quota for the week while also providing more time for the men to work on other tasks that are more important. It’s been such a great time to hear about some of the people in the program here and also to spend time getting to know my team. 

Week 2/3: These weeks were spent in quarantine. Most of our squad got sick with Covid, there were some who have had Covid before and then me and one other person were totally fine and not sick at all. But it still meant that we had to quarantine because of having been exposed. These were a rough couple of weeks seeing as how we were healthy but couldn’t do anything! My roommate (the one not sick who hadn’t had Covid before) and I tried to make the most out of the situation. We were able to find little ways in each day to help serve and do ministry (while following all the guidelines of quarantine) Sierra just wrote a super awesome blog about one of our amazing ministry experiences! Go check it out! sierrafoster.theworldrace.org

     We also started 24/7 prayer. This was no coincidence on Gods part at all, that the day quarantine starts is the day intentional squad prayer starts. It was definitely a beautiful reminder to keep our eyes fixed on our Creator, Father, Strength, Refuge, and Shepherd. He is the only one who can provide for us what we need to handle the day. He’s the one to fix our attitudes and give us eyes to see opportunities for His work. 

     The biggest take away I have from this is attitude is everything. I had to choose daily to make sure that I was stepping into each day with my heart in the right posture (looking toward God) and a smile on my face. The days where I was seizing every opportunity to turn to God, listen for his direction, and had a smile on my face, were the days that I was able to actively see ministry opportunities; while the days I didn’t choose God first we’re the days where it was such a struggle to not be bitter about being stuck in a room with a bouncy ball for entertainment. (If y’all wanna know what all I did during these two weeks, let me know cause I created a list of all my activities ;))

Week 4: This week was what we call “unscripted.” We were able to travel as a team for this week and find our own ministry opportunities, find housing, meals, transportation, literally everything. It was a good and stressful week! As a team we decided that we would each plan a day and it was our day to lead where we felt called by God to minister (if you wanna read more on each day, go check out my teammates blog … she wrote one for everyday: alexterry.theworldrace.org). 

     This was so hard but so fruitful as well. It was amazing to see everyone’s personalities shine and get to see a bit more about who they are, what they like to do and how they hear God. Even in the moments that I was doubting their sense of direction or couldn’t see ministry happening, I knew that God was present guiding their steps. We had so many beautiful conversations with people (well as best we could, considering we are a team of people who don’t speak a lick of Spanish), and we’re able to pray for them. 

     That was my biggest highlight from this time. Stepping out in faith and simply just asking to pray for someone you had a small conversation with. It’s even just telling people that God loves them as you leave their store. Ministry doesn’t have to be a huge ordeal. It happens in the small moments where God is present. 

     At the end of this week we had a squad debrief. So all of the teams came together and we reflected on how God had showed up throughout our time in Colombia and what it’s like to do unscripted ministry. It was also a time for us a teams to reflect on the week and work on building team unity through communication, relationships, ministry visions etc. 

Final thoughts: This month was not what I expected but at the same time it was. Even though it has been way different than the “typical unscripted” routes it has been unscripted in so many other ways. It was taught me to live on the edge and to seize every opportunity. If God has placed me here then he isn’t going to leave me here. He will be with me the whole way, so why not trust in Him and embrace the fullness of what He’s offering. 

Psalm 23