Covid scare, Van breakdowns, Raising money for a family in tragedy

When our need breeds blessing for others…

When we were in Vista, CA, I saw that without need there isn’t a chance for neighbors to be neighbors. Without need, the love of others is seldom shown in action. 

It’s not what we expected, but a lot of ministry came out of our own personal struggles.

And, well, I think that’s beautiful.

It’s been a huge theme of World Race America for my whole team: have the humility to receive.

"And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded" (Matthew 10:42). 

Those who bless others will be abundantly blessed (Proverbs 11:25). It is better to give than to receive (Acts 20:25). 

The Covid scare…

In Vegas not only did we feel the spiritual darkness of the city, we also felt perpetually tired and had headaches. We started to think our symptoms might imply covid. So for the first time after all this traveling, we went to get a covid test. 

YYAM Vegas staff decided it be best for us to quarantine in our rooms until we got the results.

This disrupted our ministry plans and trapped us in two small rooms together (made us empathize for nations like Australia who have been on lockdown for 7 months and counting). 

It caused us to depend on this staff for food, water, and anything we might need. We saw their nurturing care for us. And they told us our gratitude convicted them to be more grateful themselves.

He answered our prayer and the tests came back negative, otherwise we wouldn’t have made it to CA. 

The six of us have walked through so much together.

Someday we’ll remember the adventure and the closeness and unity found.

On the edge of Grand Canyon, I voiced that the enemy was trying to get lies in my head that day like he had in Malaysia (and honestly for much of my life in the context of community with my peers). It led to more vulnerability, which led to a prayer moment in the Presence robbing the enemy of any power. 

Kenz prayed about how God allows it all, even what is from the hand of Satan, like he did in Job, to show us faithful and build our character. 

What I have seen, is my team faithful. Choosing to trust and praise God in stressful and unexpected circumstance.

For as my teammate Lauren has been saying, we are so uncomfortable on the Race. That allows the Holy Spirit to do His job and be our Comforter. 

Hope in Jesus, not your plans. 

"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 
perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." -Romans 5

In the middle of thinking we might have Covid, Raquel and I decided we should go into nature where we wouldn’t be in contact with others.

We climbed the red shining rocks of the desert that I adore as the sun went down. The park closed at 8pm, and it was around 7:30pm when our van begun overheating on a long drive. 

We determined it was undrivable, had to hitch a ride from this Jehovah Witness who happened to be from around Vista (where we were about to stay in CA), and ended up being forced to rely on YYAM Vegas to pick us up. 

Demaris and Anika drove us in their van that also started having issues on our way back. Demaris parked the van and turned on a worship song. We worshiped and made it back to the base. 

The van was towed to a mechanic in the morning.

Annie showed up and the owner said

I knew from the minute you called me, that you guys had to have been Christian. I told the entire shop to give you guys a good deal and to get you guys back on the road. 

They started their shop in a parking lot, and God has been blessing them infinitely as they honestly do business. She explained how it is customers like us that confirm they are doing the right thing. Their store is their ministry. 

All good ready to go to CA, right? Wrong. 

On our way to San Francisco, through curvy roads, our van beeped. Kylie pulled over at a parking lot that happened to be there just when we needed it.

The van was leaking and smoking.

We started interceding and worshipping.

Lauren prayed that someone who knows about cars would show up and help us. A minute later, a man in a tow truck pulls in.

Using discernment, our team wasn’t sure if we should approach him. So we prayed Lord if were supposed to talk to him, have him come and talk to us. 

Minutes later, he started to drive out of the parking lot, stopped, and rolled his window down to see if we were okay. 

This man, J, was quiet and mysterious. But something told me God wanted him to meet Jesus in us. We got to say God bless you and that we just prayed someone like him would come.

But more than that he knew that his act of kindness mattered, made a difference. 

In the middle of the desert hundreds of miles away from a mechanic or car shop, overheating on the rocky road out of my childhood cabin in Utah, we had to stop without phone service. 

 

A questionable future. A real life “RV” movie moment happening…the Lord gave me complete peace and stillness to listen.

 

I saw on all their faces how the purpose found by helping us gave each one of them joy and confidence.

She said you guys are so strong to go across the nation. Your passion for Jesus is beyond inspiring. Thanks for spending the morning with me. 

 

God places people everywhere to play the role that needs to be played.

That time we raised over $1,200 in a day for a family facing tragedy

A couple nights into CA, our lovely World Race alumni hosts and their three kids received a tragic call about their niece. Lauren and I interceded all day for and with this family. Only to go to a worship night and find out her life was lost.

Amid a group of worshipers our hosts bursted in tears of devastation. 

We cried with them, devastated. Immediately in prayer Isaiah 40:31 came out of my mouth. 

Staying in a trailer park, we didn’t know what this meant for our time in CA, but we did know we’d try and be there for them as we could.

Kenz had the idea of putting up a Facebook fundraiser so the family could afford flying out for the funeral.

The money poured in from our squadmates and families. We told them at dinner. A touched, tearful shock was written on their faces. 

They told us our spirits refreshed them and blessed them, though they planned to bless us (which they did so much the few days we got with them). 

We stayed in their RV while they were gone and saw that in unimaginable and inexplicable tragedy, God is there.

We saw this family never question God during this, but trust that they’ll get through this stronger. 

Lord what are you teaching us through this?

Be still, and know that I am God