Good Morning Family and Friends,
I want to thank you for your overwhelming support during this time. Update from my last blog — I tested positive for Covid last week. This sickness is very painful and exhausting. I spent a total of 13 days in quarantine with my roommate and friend, Rachel. This time in isolation has allowed me to put my full trust in the Lord and motivated me to finish the Old Testament by the end of the race. I was super encouraged when you all called and texted me through this hard time away. Thank you.
In every country that I have been to on the race, I have met someone who has the desire to move to America. The question that I ask them is, “Why do you want to move to America?”. They usually respond that it’s because they want the American Dream. A nice big house, a car, and a great job is what that dream consists of. I have explained to them that none of these things are going to make you happy, they might even make your life a lot worse because you will always want something bigger and better. As I am saying this to them, I realized that it is hard coming from me because I was living in that American Dream. I owned part of a house, I have a car, I had a nice job and I am saving for retirement. These are not bad things to have, but I can easily make them into idols.
Being on the World Race, where I am living out of my backpack for a year, has changed my perspective on things. Christ did not die for my American Dream. He died for me!! I no longer want to live for this dream, I want to live for Christ. Living for Christ has to look different. I am surrendering everything that I have here in this life to Christ. That will look like getting rid of my idolized dream of what the world defines as success. I know what it is like to live with little and I know what it is like to live with a lot. I would much rather live with little because it allows me to put my full trust in the Lord’s provision.
I encourage you to examine the way you are living your life. Do your actions show that you believe that Christ died for your American dream? If so, I encourage you to seek out the Lord on what to do. He may be calling you to give up certain things or surrender your dreams. I know that this is a very hard conversation to have, but I want you to live in the freedom that I have experienced.
Family and Friends, thanks again for your love and support. Today is my last day in Kyrgyzstan. My squad and I will be traveling to Jordan. This is our last country before we travel back home. I would appreciate your prayers, as we have to take three Covid tests to get into Jordan. Pray that no one has to stay back because they test positive. I miss you all and I will see you in less than a month.
You are an inspiration Antoinette! What you say is so true and so wise. I have fallen into the same trap and you have motivated me to renew my prayers that the Lord would help me to dream for things that he longs for rather than materialistic things. Thank you!! I’m glad you are on the mend from Covid – scary and challenging for sure! I’m jealous of your trip to Jordan and can’t wait to hear about it in person when you come back. Be gentle with yourself when you come home. It might be hard to adjust to America after living overseas and being a part of this amazing communal experience you’ve been gifted with. I can’t wait to see you!
BTW – if you remember Perkins, our friend from Cameroon who was one of the first people we met in detention-he won asylum a couple weeks ago- hallelujah!!! I thank you and Greg every day for bringing me into that work and giving me the opportunity to build relationships with so many wonderful immigrants!
Dearest Sister in Christ!!! I praise God for seeing you through the physical illness and making you even stronger in your faith in God. Your message to the people wanting the “American dream” is so very right and so much like Paul, the Apostle. You are becoming more and more like Jesus every day. Such a great inspiration to us all!!! Say YES to the Gospel message and NO to the American dream. Love and Hugs, Lindy
Preach it sister! This is one of my favorite posts that you have written. Thank you for sharing this biblical perspective with us, and can’t wait to see you soon!
I LOVE YOU!
That’s a GOOD WORD!!