Good Morning Family and Friends,
Thank you for praying for me and my squad to get to Jordan safely. We made it!!! We had to take three Covid tests before coming into Jordan. As all of you know, I just recently had Covid. So I was so scared to have to stay back in Kyrgyzstan while my whole squad went to Jordan. Two of my tests to get to Jordan came back negative but the one that I took at the airport in Jordan came back positive. What an amazing God we serve! I was able to get in Jordan and rest as my body heals from this sickness.
Recently, I was asked to write about how the World Race has changed my life. To be honest with you, I have had a hard time writing this blog because I have been burned by this question in the past with other organizations. I do not believe that an organization can change someone’s life. I believe God can change someone’s life. Yes, God has changed many areas in my life this year. I have learned how to give feedback that causes people to look more and more like Him. I have surrendered the idols such as money and time to the Lord. I have learned how to depend on the body of Christ. I praise the Lord for teaching me all of these things.
Being here in the last country on the World Race has caused me to look back on what has happened over the course of the past 11 months. It is crazy to think of all the things the Lord has done while we moved from one country to another as a squad. Looking at my squad, I see how God healed people from sickness, brought back the deaf to hear again, cured someone from asthma, removed dietary needs and brought people’s bones and ligaments into alignment. To be an eyewitness to this healing has caused me to be overwhelmed with joy. God is so good. I never underestimate what He can do.
While being on the World Race, God has restored my view on the body of Christ. It has been beautiful to live in community 24/7 with people who are on fire for the Lord. Yes, there has been a lot of hurt, but there has also been a willingness of people to ask for forgiveness and accept forgiveness. Looking at my own church, I am convicted about how we resolve hurts and become reconciled to one another. Seeing how easy disunity can divide the body is so sad. Christ died for His bride (The Church). It should not be so easy to disconnect the body.
A lot of people quote the scripture about ‘if you have a problem with someone, you need to go to that person,’ but few of us actually do it. My encouragement to you as my family is to stop making it easy to be disunified from one other. If you have an issue with your brother, then go make it right. Be quick to forgive and quick to not take offense. Every church you go to will have problems and you will get hurt. Are you willing to believe that Christ died for His bride (The Church)?
Thanks again for your prayers and support. Please keep praying for the health of my squad. As we arrived in Jordan a lot of people got sick. There are three people on my squad who are still raising support to be here on the World Race. Would you consider supporting them so that they can finish out strong? I will be home in 20 days! I can’t wait to be greeted with hugs and a holy kiss.
Love you!!
Great reflection Antoinette! Yes, it’s God that changes us. Praying you and your team to finish strong ??. May He help you to be the light in Jordan.
Thank you for sharing your heart! Such a blessing that you were able to continue with the rest of the squad. Continued health and healing, has you get the rest that your body needs.
So thankful for the vision of unity and reconciliation that you have witness. We agree that God is getting His (Bride), the Church ready for His return. We will be obey the will of the Lord! Truly we want to see His will be done and His Kingdom to come, on earth as it is in Heaven. Praying for everyone on the squad to have their every need met according to His richest in glory by Christ Jesus!
Right on Antoinnette.
What a timely, fitly spoken word, like apples of gold in settings of silver.
Jesus(God in the flesh ) died for his church, his wife, his bride, his body, the Ekklesia, the called out ones …
It is a shame and very sad how easily within our consumerism and individualism Western Christianity we can pull away from one another and from the local church/ the Local expression of his body.
So proud of you for practicing Matthew chapter 5 and going to your brother or sister in private. May we also walk with thick skin and in the spirit of forgiveness and “UNOFFENDABILITY”, knowing that in this fallen broken sinful world, Jesus said that “offenses will come, but blessed are those who are not offended because of me. “
Love that miracle of the Kyrgyzstan negative test and then the Jordan positive test, how crazy cool God is. Way to finish strong Sister and fight your fight and run your race
Another great post, Antoinette – thank you!
What I have learned while you have been away is that a lot of us have big holes in our hearts because we miss you so much, and we can’t wait to see you!
Be well and see you soon. 🙂
Thank you thank you for sharing what you’ve learned and what’s impacting your heart. Hugs and kisses!
We are so proud of you and can’t wait to see you! Thank you for all of your reflections and sharing so much of yourself. Healing thoughts and prayers for everyone. You are such an amazing inspiration. Lots of Love
Well said Antoinette! It is great to hear how God has worked and over the past year in and through you and your squad! Praying for health and finishing strong! CAn’t believe you will be back home in 20 days! Yay! :o)
I know what you mean . at least 3 or 4 families left our CG because of one person in the group and none of them would say even one word to that person 🙁 So the person goes on with the negative behavior not even knowing the effect on others. I have also had friendships dissolve and when asked what was wrong the person said nothing 🙁 No one LIKES confrontation but it is so necessary. relationships are messy if they ever get below surface friendship. I know you are someone with the grit to work out messy !! 🙂 Miss ya
Antoinette, Thank You for being “The You” that God made you to be and “The You” that you are in the process becoming because of HIM & all of your experiences the past 11 months!” ??????
I read & re-read your blog at about 4:30 this morning and before I finished reading the first time I had tears of joy (remembering that 8 year old girl I met 24 years ago this month) and here she is speaking “The Truth” that I so desperately need to hear! I also had tears of sorrow in how those of us from the same body many times “hurt” the very ones we are supposed to “Love the Most!” PRAYING ?? & PRAISING for you and your team spiritually & physically as you finish up your “Race” in Jordan and for a safe trip back home.
In His Love & Mine,
Rick
Wow! Hard to believe your time on the Race is wrapping up. Will be praying for you and your team as this season comes to a close and you transition back. I trust God will continue to use your experiences to shape you- Can’t wait to hear how things develop for you!
Keep up the good work sis!
WOW – it’s amazing how much the Lord has done WITHIN your squad and THROUGH your squad. I am so encouraged by these testimonies and how you have been a witness through it all. Forever PROUD of you and GRATEFUL to know you!! 🙂