Word for each month on the Race

I chose a word or phrase to describe a lesson I learned either about myself or about God for each month of the Race. Enjoy!

1. Côte d’Ivoire: Confidence

Month 1 on my new team Beloved Daughters! We didn’t know what we were in for. My key (from Launch) said “confidence” and I was about to live out that word in a whole new way. We were stretched and put in uncomfortable situation after another. I wrote my first sermon with a pocket bible with no index or footnotes and we had no internet. So, I literally had to depend on the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. I learned to lean on the Holy Spirit as we evangelized (for basically the first time), preached, led women and children’s ministry, sang in a choir competition with 2 hours notice, gave spontaneous words of encouragement, visited villages where they didn’t speak English or even French, had to go before the chief of chiefs, led worship at church, and were asked on-the-spot questions such as, “Why is English important?” at English club. I also was the team treasurer and we had no internet and rarely got WiFi so I had to figure out that role and use free time to do receipts/ budgeting. I was really pushed out of my comfort zone this month but I willingly stepped up to try. I was confident and volunteered to preach first, never having preached in my life. I was ready to do whatever the Lord asked of me and our team was solidified this month. Lots of funny stories that we still reminisce on to this day.

2. Ghana: Provision

Month 2 in Ghana with the whole squad. The Lord showed me that He is my provider. He had to strip me away from my independent, comfortable life in America and put me on the World Race so I could appreciate His provision in a whole new way. He allowed me to hear His voice clearly during an Inner Healing session, provided me a mentor, gave me an opportunity for reconciliation with a teammate when I needed it, and delivered water after I prayed for it. He woke me up at 6:30 am daily after I’d said I wanted to grow in intimacy and consistency in quiet times. He truly showed up and showed out and graciously met all my needs.

3. Cambodia: Servant

I learned how to better be a servant after God’s own heart this month. I stepped up and taught an extra English class that ended late so that others wouldn’t have to. I served my team in a new way with treasury since it was more complicated with us buying our own groceries and cooking our own meals. We traded off and I cooked meals for the team for a whole week. I took care of a sick teammate and stayed back from a beach trip so she wouldn’t be alone. I treated my Cambodian bestie to a pedicure. The Lord humbled me and showed me how to better serve those around me.

4. Thailand: Choose Joy

This month, I was in a funk and my team started to notice it. My squad leader even called me out on it and that solidified it. Something had to change. Thailand was one of my favorite months on the Race and I was able to go on adventures and get to know other squadmates better and have the most amazing host. I had no reason to be in a negative headspace. I was having trouble submitting to leadership and letting my attitude ruin a stellar month. So, I checked myself and talked to squad mates and to the Lord and I realized that the capacity for joy is always in us if Christ dwells in our heart. But it’s our choice if we decide to live out that joy, no matter the circumstances. I chose in and true joy was found. This lesson has come back in different ways again and again on the Race. It’s still a struggle for me, but I have a better grasp on it than I once did. Praise the Lord!

5. Myanmar: Identity

Oh, Myanmar. Enter Team Valor. First team change and I thought the Lord took it easy on me. Haha, oh the irony. I was excited to get to know all these amazing women. But, as the month progressed, I found myself in an identity crisis. Other teammates were louder, funnier, more adventurous, and fun than me. I didn’t know where I fit in. On Beloved Daughters, I knew my place and felt comfortable. I struggled to let others be heard and now I felt unseen and unheard. I started to resent certain teammates and then my entire team. My confusion and depression seeped into everything. I refused help from my teammates and wouldn’t let me in. Finally, I confessed to a squad leader and she gave me wise but hard advice. I chose to let my team in and eventually addressed one teammate in particular and over the next couple months, I felt more at peace and safe to be myself on the team. I figured out my place and through the process, I became more secure in Christ. I learned that He alone defines who I am and I don’t have to be the _______ (loudest, funniest, most fun) because He just wants me to be me and find my affirmation in Him alone. This lesson has also been on repeat this entire year in different ways. Peeling back each layer of the onion, one by one.

6. Nepal: Family

Nepal: I felt like I was coming home. I was secure in who I was after the previous month’s lesson on identity. So, I was free to thrive. I absolutely loved our hosts and felt like part of the family. My teammate and I befriended our landlord “Auntie”, with whom we perfected charades as we peeled beans, unchained goats, and tried local dishes she made us. We could hardly communicate but smiles, laughter, and awkward moments that we embraced made for a pretty solid friendship. I honestly could’ve stayed there longer and they joked that Raina would stay back while everyone went on to the next country and I would’ve been fine with it. At the midway point on the Race, when most everyone else was battling homesickness full force, I felt at home with my Nepali family. Such a gift from the Lord!

7. India: Trials

India = Longest. Month. EVER. Ironically, my homeland country was my hardest month by far. I honestly couldn’t wait to leave. Sad but true. Basically our whole team got sick and 3 teammates had to go to the hospital. We were force fed heaps and heaps of food that we had to choke down so that we didn’t offend the hosts. Ministry was late at night and we often ate dinner at 11 pm. We were hot, exhausted, and ill. Confined to a one-room church all day and forced to wear kurtas and pants in the heat. Zero privacy as kids or locals would bang on the door and demand to be let in at all hours and they could see through the windows. Cramped inside a sedan or rickshaw, often sitting on the laps of teammates. You get the idea. It was a definite low point for me and most of my team. However, it taught me to persevere despite trials and never to give up. That He uses struggles for our good and our growth. And that we should love on those in our path, no matter how we feel.

8. Belize: Pursuit

This month, the Lord taught me how to pursue people who are hard to pursue. He reminded me that I rebel, reject Him, and neglect Him but He always continues to pursue me. I can never outrun His love. And He’s placed people in my life that He wants me to pursue, no matter the cost or amount of reciprocation I receive. But, that’s tough, y’all. I am a pretty intentional person and it hurts me when people I love don’t respond how I’d prefer. But, that’s just it. He tells me to pursue without expectations. He just wants me to love others well and persist in that, no matter their response. Because that reflects His love for them. I started praying in India for breakthrough in a relationship and He delivered this month. Because, I’m finally realizing that I’m to simply obey and let Him handle how they respond but my joy comes from the Lord and not how well someone else is reciprocating my love. Still working through this one but progress has been made for sure.

9. Guatemala: Obedience

Guatemala: month of manual labor. My favorite. Not! Haha, ask my team how much I love manual labor. Week 1: We are instructed to use our toned arms and wheelbarrows to move heavy rocks across the muddy, large yard to make a retainer wall out of tires. I was struggling, big time. Physically and emotionally and spiritually. My teammates loved me well and helped me when I was too weak to do something and cheered me on. My wise teammate advised me to ask the Lord His purpose in the task at hand when I was getting frustrated. So, I did. And, I resolved to just do my best and serve Him even if I didn’t like it because He asks me to obey joyfully. And that perspective changed my whole month. I actually started to enjoy some tasks we did. And I thrived in a month of manual labor and tasks around the compound. Only Jesus, y’all.

10. El Salvador: Perspective

Month 10. Confined to a church compound with an annoying man living near us, yelling my name repetitively as I’m the only one who speaks Spanish. Insert: flashbacks to India. We cleaned the church and taught Sunday school and did a kids program once a week at another village. We were extra help and others were already assigned to our tasks so I felt we weren’t needed and that it was just a waste of time. I really started craving home this month, mostly because I was just tired of not having independence, freedom, and comforts. 10 months is a long time. But, I started writing at least 10 things I was thankful for everyday and my perspective started to change. It made the tasks easier and I realized I could love the people in front of me to the best of my ability or I could complain. It was my decision and that mindset change made all the difference.

11. Nicaragua: Perseverance

The final month. The countdown is on. Burnout is high and I’m tempted to tap out and just coast into the finish. But, the Lord is persistent and He keeps pushing me to finish strong and to press into Him hard because He has so much more for me. As my wise squadmate told me: I signed an 11 month contract, not a 10 month contract. And I need to hold up my end of the bargain. This month has been hard with the whole squad and feeling overwhelmed and left out. But I’ve chosen to fight through it and the Lord has surely blessed it. I have been prompted to give more constructive feedback this month than all year long and I’ve reluctantly obeyed and He’s had each person receive it with grace. He’s helped me solidify my identity even more so that I seek Him alone for my affirmation and don’t find it in others. I’ve pursued squad mates and solidified friendships I was questioning. I’ve participated in theological discussions and rooted my faith even deeper. Every time I choose to obey and persevere despite my inclination to give up, the Lord shows up. He’s so faithful!