Amazing News and a Cool Story

Hey y’all!
I realized I did not update anyone on where I’ve been or any of the cool updates/stories that I have learned, so this is gonna be an interesting blog. So once again hang tight, and if you make it to the end I’ll be proud.

So for the last two weeks I have been in New Orleans, Louisiana. My squad went there to join Samaritans Purse and help the locals who have been affected by the past storms. This includes gutting houses, clearing debris, cutting trees, and tarping roofs. We were split into teams, and sent with a leader who knew what they were doing. At the end of each job we gave the homeowner a special Samaritan Purse bible, along with praying over them, their family, and their home. We were fed huge meals, with amazing dessert (a true World Racer’s love language). We also got to make amazing connections with people from all over. It was an incredible week.

Also along with the news that we have been given. We learned a few weeks ago that we were no longer going to Thialand and we were going to get rerouted to somewhere else. So my team waited until just a few days ago and we finally learned the next country that we would be living in after Costa Rice. So drum roll please….
The place that we will be going to is…

Colombia!!!!

We are all beyond excited to embark on this new adventure. Even if it’s not where we thought we would be going, it’s where the Lord wants us. So who are we to be upset that we’re sent where He is needed. I’m so excited to see what He has planned!

Finally a story. Yes just one. If I told all the stories then this blog would be far too long!!
The last house we went to during our time with Samaritans Purse was a home we were supposed to clean debris and gut out. We cleaned the yard first, then after we waited until the homeowner came over and allowed us inside. Before we went in, the man the owned the house wanted to talk to us about all that he’s been through. He has had to redo his home 4 different times, due to the hurricanes that were instant on destroying everything. He also had to worry about 3 others houses besides the one we were currently about to work on. However that house that we were about to enter belongs to his mother. Who now lives in a nursing home, but she lived in that house her whole life. He warned us that he had yet to get anything out and was worried it’d be a problem. We assured the man that we would happily take good care of it all. When we walked into this home, it was clear that we would be spending far longer there than first imagined and my team would not be able to finish within the 2 days we had left. The walls had mold growing on both sides. The bottom of the wall was practically mush. If you poked it, your figure would just go through. All the mothers possessions were sitting just as the man had warned. So we worked harder than we’ve ever worked before. We tore the doors and door frames out, then the walls. Those who weren’t breaking the walls, were carrying the remaining items into the garage or out to the curb. The man decided to join us every once and a while, which allowed us to grow close and know him more. During the last hurricane, he stayed in his house as the hurricane destroyed what he worked so hard to build. He couldn’t hear a thing over the sound of wind and rain attacking his beloved home. He just kept praying that God would make the storm stop, then his eyes landed on the cross that he had sitting over his door. Before he knew it the storm was gone. The chimney he had build was torn from his home, the windows were broken, his roof was torn to bits, trees were everywhere, his home was a wreck. Yet that room he was in was safe. Water didn’t pour in, the window didn’t break into the room, it was safe. The man knew, that the Lord was taking care of him. Even if his home was destroyed, he was still alive and that’s all he needed. He carried so much joy, even while watching us carry out his mother’s belongings to the curb. He happily prayed with us and made sure we knew that we helped him a lot. He was the one person we met that was happy he went through so much.

Well that’s all folks. If you made it this far I’m proud. Hope you enjoyed hearing one of the awesome stories that I now get to share.

Until next time!

P.s. Friday I fly out to Costa Rica!!! So please pray for safe travels!