I want to start by saying thank you all who have been praying for me, gave to me financially, encouraged me and followed along this adventure. You guys were all apart of this journey I was on and couldn’t have done it without the support from back in the states. With that being said, I made the decision to leave World Race early.

There were many reasons that led to this decision. First as many of you know I was hospitalized in Vietnam for a week and was diagnosed with Grade A GERD and Antral Erosion. My last two weeks in Vietnam I was feeling healthy and had my health under control. Upon arriving to the Philippines my team was moved from the healthy environment of Cainta to Tondo… where my health took a turn and I started getting sick again. When asking for prayerful advise from my mentors and coaches back in the states my request to move back to Cainta where I had access to my medicine and a healthier living situation was denied. That alone could’ve been the sole reason for me leaving but other concerns were there. I had some concerns about the leadership being so young-my leader was only 6 months older than me. There was also some practices that the Squad did that didn’t align with the Bible. So after lots of prayer I felt peace in leaving World Race early. Going on World Race was giving God my yes and leaving is still giving Him my yes because I answer to Him and not to man.

I don’t think World Race was a waste of time. God moved in so many ways while I was traveling and am beyond grateful for the experience. I met so many amazing people, got to experience Gods comfort in a whole new light, saw so many different cultures, and saw so much beauty in creation. Each country was so radically different that it puts things back home into perspective. In Colombia the need of God grows daily and I am beyond grateful to have been just a tiny part of that-whether it was serving at the Foundacion, evangelizing, serving at the Bronx-it impacted me. Or in Vietnam how the college students are hungry for more of Christ that they are willing to step outside of their comfort zone for the sake of the Gospel. In the Philippines I saw so much beauty and amazing work being started both with the organization I was with while being apart of World Race or once I left and joined another organization for a couple of weeks. Everywhere I went the need for Christ was there, just as it is back home. I learned that the trials I am now facing only point toward my personal need for a Savior. I learned how to defend the faith. I was put into situations where I had to know exactly what I believed and be able to say why I believe this verse by verse and chapter by chapter. I grew in my faith. Shifting back to American culture I now see everything as a ministry opportunity-whether it’s while homeschooling the kids, finding ways to serve the church, even meeting with a friend for coffee is a ministry opportunity. I realize how entitled I was just because I lived a comfortable life in America. I now see the greater need of the Gospel is. The Great Commission was never just about doing it, it was about finishing it. It should be about that last person in the world to hear about the Gospel. Whether that’s in America or some snowy mountain in a small village in Russia. It’s the willingness. I learned how to find joy in mist of my tribulations-because it is only temporary. Gods work and impact through this experience was very real and very meaningful.

As the days go by since being home I’m learning how to use discernment and wisdom among trials. I now am understanding that missions and ministry contexts aren’t always simple. Everything man made will have a flaw in it. The goal should be to give the Good News to every tribe, nation and tongue. I’m still processing these past 5 1/2 months and learning boundaries and listening to discernment from the Holy Spirit. I’m learning to put my trust in God when the plans I thought were still supposed to be in place change. I guess you could say that change isn’t always a bad thing. He is in the process of redefining what success actually is.

Moving forward I would like you guys to still be praying for me. Prayers for continued progress in my health, for clarity in my next steps, the connections I made on my trip to still be there once they come home, and prayers to stay connected and to be encouraged in moving forward.

With all this being said… I am now aware that Gods work isn’t limited by timelines. I a, excited for the next steps. I have so much gratitude for this experience and for the support. I trust that my story in missions isn’t finished but God will continue to use my in any way that He desires to do so. Thank you all once again for all the support y’all have poured into me, I am beyond appreciative. Since I’m back in the states text me if you want to hear more in this journey, how God moved, more on why I left, what I did once I left, and what I am doing now. Love you all!

Love,

Kenzie