Emily is safely in the Dominican Republic and her World Race has begun! I was SO relieved when I got her text saying she had landed in Santo Domingo. I had already braced myself for not hearing her voice for a long time....and then my phone was ringing and when I saw the 001....number, I was shocked! When I heard her voice, I was so excited...what an unexpected surprise! She wanted to make sure we knew she was there and safe. I really appreciated her thoughtfulness and mainly just loved hearing from her right away. Since then, her team has been to training and now they are off to their first ministry site in San Juan, DR. We will likely not hear from her for several weeks since I doubt she has internet service out there, but who knows... It will be hard to be patient. I'm so curious all the time....what is she doing, where is she, how is she....when will we hear from her??
I can't believe how exhausted I was this last week from emotions. I cried a lot the day she left and the next day. I felt like I had run into a wall. I couldn't get enough sleep, but also had trouble sleeping. I kept waking up with thoughts of Emily, wondering if she's okay...I've been so fragile, just about anything chokes me up....I've had to avoid her room, and when I pulled some of her clothes out of the dryer that were left behind, I teared up again. Finally taking down the Christmas decorations today has been an effort, but it helped knowing that the next time I get them out will be right before Emily comes home!! Even though I miss her so much, I'm totally pumped for her and this awesome opportunity. I can't wait to see what God is going to teach her and do through her this year.
She is so ready for this challenge and I'm sure she's relieved to finally be on her way. I know it's best for her to focus on where she is, getting to know her new team and the culture and people she has gone to minister to and serve. She is no doubt listening intently to the DR Spanish since it's a harder dialect....different from the Guatemalan dialect she's been used to speaking these last few months. I'm amazed how fluent she really is, and I know she will pick it up quickly, especially since the Squad leaders asked her to help be a translator for her team along with one other girl, Rosa, who speaks Spanish. So, I know Emily has high expectations as she begins her journey. I hope she jumps in and feels a part of the team right away.
It helps me to feel close to her and to be involved with her mission if I'm praying for her. I've been praying that she gets off to a great start by staying healthy, building strong friendships, using her Spanish language skills, and beginning great ministry. I'm so proud of her. She has a strong commitment to the Lord and wants to serve Him with all her heart. I gain strength and peace from knowing she is following His lead and is trusting Him. She and her team are giving up their lives of plenty, ease, and freedom to adapt to new cultures way out of their comfort zones in order to help meet the needs of poor and hurting people. I am envious of all they will experience and how much they will grow! Of course, it will not all be easy. In fact, a lot of days may be very tough, but I know in the end, it will all be worth the struggles! As I've mentioned before, it helps to read other Racers' blogs to hear the great stories of God's faithfulness and how He is using these young adults all over the world to reach out to many in need and be Jesus to a lost world. It's what World Race is all about...
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