Another One!

2017 is already here?? It seems like not long ago I was flying to Thailand to start the journey of the World Race Fusion 2 squad. A few years ago I heard an older man say ‘the years start going faster the older you get’…I think he was on to something! 

Curious how I’m starting 2017? First, a recap! 

In 2016 I mentored the second ever WR Fusion squad as they navigated the globe bringing the love of Christ to the nations. It was an amazing and stretching experience. Here we are celebrating in South Africa at our final debrief! 

 

This group of 22 were hands down the best part of my job and worth the long meetings, logistical planning, financial discussions, phone calls and skypes and strategic planning sessions. I was humbled to see how much they grew during this year and I can’t wait to see what is next for them. They are world changers and I’m blessed by their friendship! 

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2016 was a whirlwind. I visited 13 countries, took a long talked about family trip to Israel, tore my ankle ligaments, had a car get totaled and went without a car for a few months, made some incredible friendships with people here in Georgia, celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas with family and lived with 6 different roommates at different times. 

My year was blessed with incredible opportunities and adventures:

Playing with Streets kids in Thailand.

 

Trecking in Bali, Indonesia

Floating in the Dead Sea

Fishing in Costa Rica

Hot Air Balloons in Cappadocia, Turkey

I lived out of my backpack for weeks at a time around the world and grilled out on my back deck in Georgia in beautiful fall weather. My year was a mix of ‘American life’ and the ‘world’, a unique blend of lifestyles that sometimes were hard to navigate. 

Friendships are hard to keep up when you leave for 4-5 week chunks of time. Relationships around the world are hard to encourage and pour into when you spend most of the year thousands of miles away. 

It’s a constant tango…and yet once again I am stepping on to the dance floor. 

In 2017 I’ll be mentoring the third WR Fusion squad and that means getting on a plane to Uganda tomorrow night to run their training camp. For the next 5 weeks I’ll be in Uganda and Rwanda, helping train and serve with a group of 20 people from 6 different countries. 

Future 2017 trips will be taking me to Malaysia, Thailand, Nepal and Guatemala. 

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 I don’t know what 2017 will really hold, but I know God is leading the way. 2016 was a year of learning and I don’t see this year being any different. 

Learning how to find rest in the business of a schedule/job. 

Learning how to stop and celebrate more often.

Learning how to surround yourself with people that are gifted in ways you aren’t. 

Learning how to continue to live open handed with what I’ve been given. 

Learning how to discover what brings you life and joy…then making it a non-negotiable. 

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 2017 brings more unknowns than certainties in my job and life…a thought that gets me excited but also leaves a small queasy feeling in the depths of my stomach. A feeling that I will be in over my head and times…and yet I’m comforted, for that is when God shines brightest and He is praised loudest. 

So 2017, I’m ready for you. Probably not as much as I would like…but we usually never are.

On to East Africa! Another year of the dance between cultures, obligations, friendships and growth. Who knows…I might even get to throw a few ‘toe touches’ in there.