We made it safely to Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia. Thank you for your prayers my friends. We have been in Cuidad Refugio for 12 days now. It has been a beautiful experience so far, and I will be sharing more on the ministry here in my next blogs.

We’re on month 8 of the World Race, and many of us are rightfully feeling emotionally, mentally, and physically tired. You’re always on the move, you leave people that have become family, you grieve, and then you do it all over again. There are many changes and transitions in which you begin to feel like there’s not much you can give anymore. I’ve personally been in need of perspective and restoration in this climb (journey/race).

I want you to know that I got it. I got restored in many ways these past days. I want to share one of the ways I got restored.

Tuesday we got up at 5:00 am to begin our hike up the mountain. It was the most physically and mentally tiring thing I have done in a long time. Yet, it restored me.

 I didn’t know what I was getting myself into... 

 this is me wanting to quit in the beginning..

 we walked up many stairs through the neighborhood to get to the mountain,

 we then started walking higher up,

 and we had to take a few breaks. I was definitelty panting a lot and feeling the pressure from the elevation.

 we continued on, and encouraged each other, giving each other high-fives!

 Yeyson, our friend and guide had guava candy that literally gave us the energy we needed to continue our hike.

 we had a lot of  climbing involved in our hike.

it  was worth it, look at the view!

the way that Yeyson guided us, gave us a hand when we needed it, and even carried my backpack the whole time, reminded me of Jesus and what He does for us (Hebrews 12:1-2) Ellie carried my backpack too, thanks Ellie! I love you.

 the way we did this hike together as a group reminded me of what community is all about... doing the hard together, climbing(doing this journey/running this race), together...

This is my favorite view and favorite picture, look at those mountains.... !

we had more guava candy for the hike down, and we definitely slipped on the wet dirt a good amount of times.

 going down these stairs felt better than having gone up them, but it was still hard.

 we were back in town, and we had enough time to go somewhere very special...

 we met Yeyson’s family! They let us drink cold, delicious water. It was complete honor meeting them...

Friends... this hike was part of my restoration. Jesus used this hike to restore me; to strengthen me. After Yeyson shared encouraging words as we went down the mountain, we prayed and thanked Jesus for the hike, and for how we could be reminded of how He strengthens us and carries us through the journey of life.

How is He restoring you?

How is He wanting to strengthen you?

What mountain are you willing to climb to receive what He has for you?

Until next time, 

J