Good Morning Family & Friends
I have been in Kyrgyzstan for just over a month now! Time is going by super fast and I can’t keep track of it. As I pray that it slows down, I am so ready to see all of you very soon. God has done some amazing things here.
On October 3, my teammate Rachel got a call saying that her great-grandma had had a stroke and was not going to make it through the night. To rewind the story just a little bit, two days before this call Rachel was talking about having a great-grandma who is 98 to a class of students. The teacher asked her to share her secret to longevity. It is beautiful that Rachel got to share a piece of her great-grandmother’s story to strangers across the world. Now, let us fast forward to what I was saying at the beginning. This was very hard news. I remember sitting with Rachel to comfort her, and hearing her family sing worship songs in her great-grandmother’s hospital room. What a powerful glimpse of a loving community of believers as they lay a family member to rest. Rachel’s great-grandmother died at 1:00am the next morning.
Mourning from a family member is hard, but morning from far away is even harder. So Rachel decided to go home to be with her family. This was hard on me as a teammate because Rachel has become one of my dearest friends. So I cried when I found out that she was leaving for two weeks, basically the rest of the time we have in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Well, before you leave the country, you must take a COVID test! Rachel went the day before her planned departure date to get a COVID test and found out, surprisingly, that she had COVID. Since she didn’t have any symptoms at the time, she confirmed this with a second test, which was also positive. In the process of this the Lord was working on my heart. I had been Rachel’s roommate at the time. I felt the Holy Spirit tell me to comfort her and not run away in fear. So, when I was asked if I wanted to leave the room so that she could quarantine by herself, I said that I would stay and not leave the room. So the agreement was that I would quarantine with her.
I knew the risk that I was taking but it was best “No” that I have said the entire World Race. My dearest friend Rachel was in mourning; I refused to let her do this alone. As I am writing this I am on day four of quarantine. Rachel has lost her sense of smell and tastes and has cold-like symptoms. I have had a fever, chills, body aches, and an intermittent cough. I have not yet been tested for covid but I hope to get tested soon. Jesus said, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends”
As I wait to find out if I have COVID or not I am trusting the Lord in the unknown. As always, I encourage you to love those around you even if it causes you to physically lay down your life.
I would appreciate your prayer and support during this time. I am not sure if I am going to have to go to the doctor if it gets bad. Pray for my team as they learn how to process this information.
It has been very hard to connect with them during this time because of social distance. Thanks again for your prayers. I love you and I will see you soon.
Praying for you and Rachel. What a story of love and obedience. I’m so grateful for your friendship especially as you sit with Rachel in her mourning.
Praying for you both !!!!!!!!!
I’m praying for you and Rachel! May God protect you and heal you both! Please keep us updated.
Antoinette, Thank You for sharing Rachel’s Great Grandma’s Story, Rachel’s Story and then Your Story! Know that each Story is a part of HIS STORY and for HIS GLORY as you daily live out His Love and His Hope literally around the world. I have tears of joy as I remember meeting an eight year old little girl (and part of your family), nearly 24 years ago… the morning after a drive by shooter shot 30+ bullets into you house!
Know that Romans 8:28 was TRUE for you all back then and it’s just a TRUE today for you and Rachel!
I Love You Antoinette and Praying & Praising for you & Rachel and Your World Race Team!
What a beautiful act of love towards Rachel. So sorry for the loss of her great grandma. May she know God’s peace & comfort. Praying for you & Rachel. May God heal you both & protect your team.
Hi Antoinette. God bless you for going above and beyond for your friend and sister in Christ. May the Father bring both of you through this trial and rejoined you both with your families. My prayers are with you cousin and you as well Rachel
Wow! What a great testimony of God’s love for a friend. Whenever we make decisions there are always consequences! I admire your courage and strength to make the decisions to stay with your friend and teammate. I pray for both of you to be strong in The LORD from whom your strength comes from and a speedy recovery. I know the feeling and symptoms of the illness of Covid. Many have survived then have die. Remember The Almighty has the keys to life and death. No one is going anywhere until HE says so! Thank you for sharing your encouraging testimony. Remember our bodies are a temporary place of dwelling in this life. We live eternally with The LORD! Take care of yourselves with proper rest and movement, stay hydrated and continue to eat nutritional meals. The Creator God made our bodies to heal itself. God bless and be with you both. ????????? Praise The LORD always!
Thanking God for His precious Blood! “There is power, power, wonder working power in the precious Blood of the lamb”. Trusting God for you and Rachel (devine health and healing virtues), body, mine, soul and spirit! May the peace of God that surpasses all understanding keep both of your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus! Sending comforting hugs and loads of love!!
Praying for you both, may God protect and comfort you during the time of need.
What a sweet friend you are..Reflecting a Servants Heart so your friend would not be alone during a difficult journey..Lord touch Antoinette and Rachel and bring complete healing strength comfort to each..
Praying for you and Rachel. Thankful for our call today all the Lord is doing in you spiritually during this quarrentine. Your heavenly Father is near to both of you!
This is very moving. Praying for you and Rachel!
Oh Antoinette I’m so sorry for both of you. I will pray that both of your symptoms go away as soon as possible, and that somehow this is a time of growth for you both.
Thank you so much for being Rachels friend and staying with her in her time of sorrow and sickness. I am praying for you both to get well. I know God will Bless you for your Love and Friendship to Rachel. I hope I can meet you someday. I will count you as one of my granddaughters. ??
I love your heart my sweet friend!!
Praying for you both!!
Praying for you and Rachel, sweet friend. You have such a compassionate heart. I’m so proud of the ways you hear Jesus and respond!
Antoinette – we are praying for you and Rachel! You have always had such a generous heart for others, and this is just the latest example. Hang in there my friend!
Antoinette!!!! You are so sweet to stay with Rachel and share in her grieving! SO sorry that you both are sick. Praying for you!!!
Thank you so much for your prayers and support.
You are loved sister. I am praying for your family and this time of loss. Love you
Thank you for sharing your wonderful daughter with me. Thank you for your encouraging words!! I can’t wait to meet you.
Thank you for your prayers!!
Thank you so much for prayers. May you know that you are loved by God.
Thanks for your prayers! God is continue doing the work of healing in my body.
Hey Cousin!
I miss you and I hope all is well! Thanks for your prayers and words of encouragement.
Amen!! God is doing a healing over my body. Thanks for your prayers.
My sweet sister,
Thanks for your prayer and support.I love waking up to a song every morning that you send. Love you.
Thanks for your prayers and support during this time.
I would want to be usolated with anyone else in the world! Love you girl!
Thanks you for your prayers and support! I love you and miss you.
Thanks for you prayers!! I can’t wait to see you when I get back to Denver.
Thanks for your prayers and support!! God loves you
Thanks for being willing to call me during this time and pray for me. Love you lots
Love you girl!! Thanks for your encouragement and prayers!
Thanks for your prayer and support during this time.
Yes!! I accept being one of your granddaughters!! Thanks for your love for me. May you have a blessed day
Thanks for you prayers sister! Love you and I can’t wait to see you soon.
Thank you Antoinette for being a true friend to Rachel and showing love for Rachel during this time. ?
We have enjoyed talking to you and getting to know you. Our family and friends are praying for completr healing for both you and Rachel. ??????
My hearts and praying hand symbols came through as question marks. I want you to know that you are loved and we are praying for you!
Thank you Antoinette for being a true friend to Rachel and showing love for Rachel during this time. ?
We have enjoyed talking to you and getting to know you. Our family and friends are praying for complete healing for both you and Rachel. ??????
Love you, Antoinette! I’m so grateful for you! You are inspiring, hear from Holy Spirit, and live a life surrendered to our Papa!