6 Months In, 6 Months to Go!

I just left Bangladesh, my 10th country on this trip and my 50th country altogether.  It’s hard to believe it’s been almost six months since I began this crazy adventure.  My days and nights have been full of people and stories and laughter and connections—and work! as I’m learning and growing, and making many new friends.  Next week, I’ll head to Kenya to begin my next six months in Africa.

I do have so many stories from each place, and I promise to write them!  In each place, I’m acutely aware that the people I meet, the conversations I have, the stories I hear, and the time that I share will only happen once.  I am trying to say yes to as many things as I can.

I’ve worked with organizations that run orphanages, support development in rural villages, work with kids living in slums, create jobs, bring communities together, restore abused women, rescue trafficked children, and share love and hope with hurting people.

I’ve met incredible people who see a need and just say, “Yes.”  They aren’t the most experienced or educated in that topic, they don’t have all the right training or connections, but they see a need that no one is meeting, and they say, “Yes.”  And through grace and grit, they make a difference.  They ask questions, the google furiously, they learn, make mistakes, fix them, and keep going, because someone needed to say, “Yes.”  I’ve met true heroes, who give and give and give.  They get discouraged.  They feel isolated.  They wonder if they’re really making a difference at all – there’s still so much need.  And then I see the people they’ve touched, the lives transformed, the changes, even if they’re small at first.  I remind them that they’re doing a good job.  Change is happening.  They are making a difference.  And sometimes, they just need to hear that.

I’ve met life-long friends, experienced the kindness of strangers, and have been overwhelmed by the generosity I’ve received.  Over and over again, I am invited into people’s lives with the phrase, “Come stay with me!”  Out of the 17 cities I’ve visited, I’ve been hosted in 11, and these are people I had only met briefly (or not at all!) before they offered their home.  It reminds me of growing up.  My parents often opened our home to people coming through, many times missionaries they had met (or not!), who needed a place to stay for a few nights.  I loved hearing their stories of far off places and interesting people.  I think that’s what first opened my eyes to the big, wide, wonderful world.  I doubt the kids I’ve met will remember me, but I hope they will continue the cycle of kindness and generosity through another generation, and maybe the stories of all these strangers will inspire them to answer a giant need somewhere in the world as well.

Asia has been fascinating.  I’ve hiked mountains, waded in waterfalls, fed elephants, and enjoyed the slow boat down the river.  I’ve stayed in cheap backpacker hostels, taken many cold showers, and have learned to always carry my own toilet paper.  I still like rice and noodles and rather enjoy that my 5’2 height is not short here.  I’ve learned all the different ways to cross the road (Cambodia: just go – traffic adjusts to the consistent and predictable; Vietnam: one giant game of Frogger – expert level; Bangladesh:  use The Force – step into the street and put out one hand … the cars magically stop for you), and rated countries by the aggressiveness of their mosquitos (Myanmar and Bangladesh tie for first place).

I’ve been privileged to train organizations, teach at Universities, preach (barefoot!), and share with groups, students, and children in almost every country where I’ve worked.  I’ve helped NGOs with strategic planning, organizational structures, policies and procedures, and creative growth.  I’ve passed along best practices and made connections between the groups where I’ve worked to continue helping each other as they learn and develop.  My days run together, and I often forget to do important things like buy tickets to my next destination.  Somehow, things always seem to work out.

This has been the most amazing adventure and I can’t describe the joy I feel every day.  Some days have been stressful, uncertain, challenging, and I’ve cried four times.  But I have learned so much, grown immensely, and most surprisingly, become punctual.  Miracles do happen! I am incredibly happy I get to do this.

Even though I haven’t been good at posting, I’ve been so grateful for the encouragement I’ve received from all of you.  Emails, texts, FB posts, and the many, many reminders that so many people are thinking about me, cheering me on, and praying for my safety and success.  I am truly so grateful for your love and support!

More stories and adventures to be written – and the best is yet to come!