A year ago today (June 5, 2008) my life completely changed.  I left Wilmington, NC and got on a plance that would take me to GA then to London and to Johannesburg to begin the biggest and craziest adventure of my life. 

here we are just babes at the airport in Atlanta one year ago today!

I can't believe it has been a year!  A year...  Was it real or a dream or just a figment of my imagination?  Did I really go to all those countries and meet all those people?  Did I really give up my life, my job, my home to go and do what the Lord called me to?

Standing on this side of the World Race it just seems like a dream.  I tell my friends that my life feels very surreal.  While I was gone 6 babies have been born!  Some of my friends got pregnant and gave birth while I was gone so I never saw the progression.  So when I left they were married with no babies and now they are new and growing familes!  Children have grown up out of babies and into little boys and girls. 

 I got to visit Hannah and Jake in Atlanta and their precious little one Mavis (one of the 6 born while I was away)

A lot of my life looks the same.  My room, my car, church, friends, etc...but our lives have changed in ways that we can't describe to one another because we didn't experience them together. 

This last month into reentry has been difficult for me.  It is not always hard but at times it has been very overwhelming.  My first breakdown was after a day of doing my favorite things.  Coffee at Port City Java, shopping and hanging out downtown having fun and laughing with friends.  I went home and fell to pieces.   Why, you may ask?  I don't know.  It is just overwhelming and I still haven't been able to verbalize "what" it is that is difficult "it" just is.

I can travel the world, hitchhike through Africa, shop and cook for 26 people in a language that I can't read, exist/live and do ministry in a land where English is never spoken, change all plans and perceptions at the drop of a hat but the minor things like applying for a "real job" seem daunting.   

But on the upnote...God's grace is sufficient.  Every day gets better and better and better! I am adjusting to the fast paced way of life again.  I am loving the hot showers and even though I am not "dirty" by World Race standards, I take one everyday and they still haven't lost the glory.  I love how easy it is to get things done and get everywhere and it is in English!  I am praying and seeking the Lord and His will for my next step and where I need to go. Right now I am in Washington, DC visiting and staying with Jenny Brown from the race and it has been wonderful.  I promised to blog when I finished the race and I hope to do more (Lord willing) as time progresses.  There is a lot to say and pictures to share and I want to keep you up to date with where and how the Lord is working.  If you remember  - please pray for me for wisdom, discernment and joy in our great Lord. 

5Trust in the LORD with all your heart
         And do not lean on your own understanding.
    6In all your ways acknowledge Him,
         And He will make your paths straight.
    7Do not be wise in your own eyes;
         Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

Proverbs 3:5-7

I am HOME!  I arrived safely here in NC just this afternoon.  Our flight from Guatemala City to Florida was a breeze and quick (esp for a international flight).  Most of the squad stayed the night in Fort Lauderdale and ate our first meal in America at TGIF together.  We couldn't get over the free refills with lots of ice and large portions!  

Last night and this morning was spent saying goodbyes to each other because we all had flights at different times.  It was heartbreaking and felt like losing an extra part of myself. I plan on writing some blogs to finish out the world race and share with all of you what happens on my return home.

I had a sweet reunion with my parents at the airport mixed with tears and laughter!  I told them they can't leave me for a while (a little ironic) for sure! 

 Me and my mom reuniting!

Me and my dad at the airport!  

When I arrived in my parents house I just walked from room to room staring at this world that I haven't seen but just imagined for the last year it was very surreal.  I would love to share with everyone what the Lord has done in my life and what He continues to do all over the world.  Please just drop me an email at courtney_pearsall@hotmail.comor just "write me a note" on the left side of the page.  I will be traveling some in the next month or so and I would love to visit people who have kept in touch with me through my blogs if it is possible.  Thank you for your prayers and support and I can't wait to see everyone and share with you, all that our Great God has done!

I am home and already unpacked (sort of - everything is spread all over my room) and opening up long overdue Christmas presents!

SURPRISE - I am coming home!  Hey friends and family - Sorry that I haven't been blogging lately.  I have been wanting to blog and share with everyone what is going on in life, but I have been wanting to spend my time with friends rather than on the computer. 

Yes, tomorrow April 30^th I will be landing on American soil!  I can't believe the end of the race is already here.  We are leaving Panajachel at 6am and driving to Guatemala City (3+) hours away.  Our flight is at noonish and we arrive in Fort Lauderdale, FL around 5pm.  Most of us will be spending the night in Fort Lauderdale and then flying home on Thursday.  So I will be back in NC on the 1^st of May.  After that I plan to spend lots of time with family and friends catching up and traveling.  I will be posting blogs once I am home closing out the World Race and keeping you up to date on what happens when I get home. 

A few quick points of fun times from debrief:

1.        The whole squad got tested for parasites and I came back positive for Giardia and an intestinal infection.  Only 6 out of 22 of us are free from 3^rdworld critters in our bellies.

2.       We debriefed reentry and what to expect and how to prepare.  I got stuck on the first question, "Are you ready for the World Race to be over?"

3.       Did "life planning" sort of like figuring out our spiritual gifts and how to use them in the real world.

4.       "Fun Day Monday" - We headed to the beach/hotel for day of fun on the lake with each other and some sun.  It was a great day off and of fellowship!

5.       Now we are just packing and getting ready to head back to the states and into the great unknown.

Here is a pic from our final dinner together.  For a scraggly group of world traveling missionaries we clean up pretty well!

Team Lego sharing the love!

Visit a village in Guatemala and get dressed in tradtional clothing!

That is what happened to us today!  A little background first.... We are at Lake Atitlan and working in the village of Panahajel with Solomon's Porch.  It is a Christian coffee shop that is relocating their business down the street.  We have been spending the days here painting, tiling and constructing in their new building.  Our contacts are so amazing and they thought that we had been working really hard and wanted to give us some different ministry.

So this morning we went up to Santa Catarina (maybe?) to visit some families.  The first family was extremely poor and they had 4 children and the mother is due to give birth any day now to the 5th child.  They live almost at the top of this mountain so it was a hike up and I don't know how they do it pregnant with so many children and normally something balanced on their heads.  The women here are strong and they amaze me!  So we took her some food and newborn clothes and prayed over the family.

Then we stopped by another house with a girl named Elaina who has been sort of "adopted" by our contacts.  Not literally but she spends a lot of time with them.  She wanted us to see her house too.  We went in and we were sharing greeting with the family and discussing that there were 12 children in this house!  Yes they have 12 children and they survive on farming and selling crafts in the city.  The local people wear these very ornate clothes and they were showing us how they were made by hand.  One shirt takes 8 months to make!  So you can imagine that they do not own a lot of them.  Well before I realize they have brought out an outfit and are slipping it over my head!  And there began the adventure. 

They dressed me up in their traditional clothing.  And before long they brought out all of their clothes and dressed all of us up!

             Me and Elizabeth enjoying the headdress'              Christy getting her headpiece put on

I have been telling people all month that I could be Guatemalan and I think it is pretty authentic?

Everyone was in on the fun - Casey stayed out and just watched and laughed at us but it was a great time!

We spent the rest of the morning visiting one more family on our way down the mountain and out of the village.  The afternoon we went back to our dirty clothes and construction but nothing will top the fun we had pretending to be Guatemalan! 

Allison Johnston (our amazing squad leader) is posting a blog daily up until the last day of the race for each our World Race Family members.  She posted one about me the other day and it blessed my socks off.  I give all credit to the Lord for what He has done in my life.  I hope you enjoy these sweet words of a one of my favorite friends on the WR!

Check out her blog daily to see all the others that I have had the privilege to spend the last year of my life with.

20 Days!! Courtney Pearsall

Courtney. There are no words to describe this precious friend. Courtney is full of love, smiles, and reverence for God.

I can always count on Court to shop with me, eat ice cream with me, and pray with me. One of the sweetest memories of Court was in Thailand when we shared an awesome time of prayer. We went before God in a spirit of repentance and He poured out His spirit on us. We cried out for His heart and He blessed us with a sweet time of being filled up for more ministry.

Courtney continues to pour her heart out to everyone she comes in contact with; both amongst our team and people in every nation. She has continued to be an amazing servant among us and always makes us the BEST travel snacks. While the rest of us stand around and argue about whose turn it is to take out the trash Courtney is just quietly taking out the trash. She is one of the greatest servants I have ever witnessed.

Nicaragua was really the first time all year that I was able to do ministry with Court and we had an absolute blast. We laughed, cried and prayed our way through schools and the hospital. I saw true brokenness and compassion in Courtney's eyes and was moved by the love she had for the Nica people. We also shared MANY a laugh as we adjusted to Latin culture together.

Courtney is a true lady and will be an amazing wife and mom. She is one of our girly-girls and one of the most well put together missionaries I have ever met. She has practiced on us all year and we all affectionately call her "Mom". We have been well-fed, clean and on-time all year long, thanks to Court!

The Lord has done an awesome work in her life and she has a powerful testimony to His presence in her life. She is deeply rooted in scripture and has a strong commitment to His Word. She has modeled a life of faith for all of us and we are so blessed.

Court, I love you and treasure every moment we have had together. Thank you for being a "gangplank" girl with me and I can't wait for the phone call! I pray that the Lord grants you the desires of your heart. Love you!

         

In Nicaragua we were up and at them early going to the schools for the morning and then in the hospitals in the afternoons and other times sharing at the church or at the barrios.  I loved it!!  I love being busy and I love for my days to be full of service for the Lord. 

      

This month was much different.  I had hopes and plans to have this busy month of service to the Lord and see and do amazing things for the glory of God.  Things didn't go as planned.  Which isn't a surprise because this is the World Race and flexibility is the name of the game.  This month ministry was intentional.  Since we didn't have a "contact" perse we had to choose daily to make ministry happen.  We prayed daily, "Lord this day and time is not ours but yours, do what you have with us."  And we would go to the park and pray and ask the Lord to direct our steps and contacts and daily we had to choose to go to the hospital.  There was no one there waiting for us or expecting us at a certain time so we daily had to choose to go. 

Our main ministry this month has been at Hermano Pedro Hospital.  I am not quite sure why I haven't written a blog about this but I haven't been able to formulate the words properly.  At this hospital there is an orphanage that houses children, teens and adults who have mild to severe mental or physical disabilities.  We go and visit and hang out with the children every day.  Some days we hang at the hospital and just talk with the kids or walk them around the open area of the hospital.  Other days we take them to the park which is just a couple of blocks away. Or we can take some of the kids who have the ability to eat to Pollo Campero (a fast food chicken restaurant) for lunch. 

             Allison and Rosa at Pollo                                      Irving working on his Pepsi

At first I really struggled with this ministry and these children.  I was asking the Lord why.  Why are these children left here to die or just to exist?  Why did God create them this way if their existence would just be to sit in this hospital until the end of their days?  Even in my questioning God was faithful and answered me through the Word.  He reminded me of the scripture in Luke…

Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows. Luke 12:6-7

               Me & Jo Jo at the park                                     Sweet Clara at the park one day

God has numbered the hairs on these children's heads just as He has numbered mine.  Just because I have the ability to walk and talk and think "normally" that doesn't mean that God cares for me more than He does for these children.  He created them individually and knows every detail of their minds and bodies just like He knows mine and yours.  I still don't understand why the Lord allows this but I trust that He is faithful and His purposes and plans are perfect.  I have been blessed with joy beyond compare by spending time with these precious children.  And I am so thankful that the Lord brought them into my life to share the love of Christ with them while I am here in Antigua.   

O LORD, you have searched me
       and you know me.  You know when I sit and when I rise;
       you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down;
       you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue
       you know it completely, O LORD. You hem me in—behind and before;
       you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
       too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit?
       Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
       if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.  If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
       if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me,
       your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
       and the light become night around me," Even the darkness will not be dark to you;
       the night will shine like the day,
       for darkness is as light to you. For you created my inmost being;
       you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you
       when I was made in the secret place.
       When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body.
       All the days ordained for me were written in your book
       before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
       How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them,
       they would outnumber the grains of sand.
       When I awake, I am still with you. Psalm 139:1-18

After you read this blog check out my teammate Jessie Pace's blog about World Race Norms and get a little picture of our culture on the WR.

Today marks a very important date on the World Race calendar.  Today is one month until (Lord willing) my feet will be in North Carolina soil!  I am looking forward to lots of hugs and kisses from friends and family.  My goal is to introduce the cheek to cheek kiss as a greeting - all over the world it is the acceptable greeting why not in Wilmington!  I can't wait to go back to my church and see all the familiar faces that sent me off as a missionary almost a year ago! 

I am looking forward to some comforts of home as well. I am looking forward to Port City Java dates, high heels, hot showers, a car instead of walking or taking the bus, straight hair, long chats with friends that I haven't seen in a year, coming home and not having to soak the dirt off of my feet, the beach 10 minutes away, seeing all the new babies who have been born while I have been away and all sorts of things. However, I will miss life overseas!

This is all of us in the tuk tuk on the way to English church (Ally is in front next to the driver).  Technically only 3 should fit but World Race style is always the more the merrier!

We had a mud fight at the beach!

I will miss the street food (don't worry about parasites the food is delicious!),   everything being so cheap, being the strange looking one wherever we go, an adventure everyday of how we will get to town (free ride with a stranger that becomes a friend and takes you to their house and church on the way to town) or the bus with all the locals, slightly warm water in the shower being a really big deal, living with 6 other people and sharing life with them every day, every day is a surprise and not knowing what is going to happen, getting the opportunity to share Christ and all that He has done all over the world. 

This is just the beginning right?  I have lots to share of all that God has done and all that we have experienced.  I am anxious to see how the Lord will use this year in my life at home but He is faithful and I know He will use it to His glory! 

Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth. 
    Serve the LORD with gladness;
         Come before Him with joyful singing. 
    Know that the LORD Himself is God;
         It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
         We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. 
    Enter His gates with thanksgiving
         And His courts with praise
         Give thanks to Him, bless His name. 
    For the LORD is good;
         His lovingkindness is everlasting
         And His faithfulness to all generations.