mobile like the wind

There has been so much unexpected insanity and crazy things going on in my life since about August, that I am way due to fill you guys in on. I kind of wanted to wait until the dust settled and I had more peace about what I was doing to let everyone know what the news was lately and what’s been going on in my life. I always told my mom, when you stop getting phone calls from me its a good thing, it usually means God was doing so much at the moment that it was just too much to fill her in on. And at around March of this year, that’s what happened. I got settled in Hawaii, and God started rocking my world. From there it was a crazy list of unexpected things I did and experienced, and also unexpected challenges from the Father asking me to step it up, challenging me to really know him. And soon enough, phone calls home became less and less, and I was just living life, enjoying every moment the Lord had given me, and experiencing everything with new eyes, not just the new adventures of becoming a resident of the Hawaiian islands, but also experiencing the Lord in a new way. I think my mom understood why the calls started coming less frequently. I guess I would say the same for my blog. Sometimes this journey in serving the Lord, and the crazy, exciting, and unexpected life it has created is sometimes too much for words, and easier stored away in my heart. But I am going to try to fill you guys in as best as I can, because all of you who read and support and pray for me mean more than you know.

I left for Bali in July with a group of around 50 from Surfing The Nations. While flying over Bali as we landed, although it was dark, I could still find the old street that I lived on last year and could not shake the beautiful feeling in my heart that I was coming home. Getting off the plane and seeing the Indonesians working in the airport, I felt like I was back among my people, well, God’s people. It’s an almost crazy feeling, so crazy that I really learned that my love for the Indonesian and Balinese people was really set in my heart by the Father. After the first couple of days, we went on to outreach in small groups all over Bali and the surrounding islands. The first night into my outreach, I got this instant pain in my throat. It was honestly so instantaneous I thought some type of insect had stung me in my throat. From there on, symptoms grew and the next day I had a horrible fever and I was feeling super weak. I sat down with my group and we prayed out against the enemy, because I really felt with the way this happened so quickly that I was under spiritual attack. That night it got really bad. I started hallucinating and became extremely delirious. We were sleeping outside at that time as well, and I just remember walking around crying and shaking, with such a high fever and being so afraid, not knowing what to do. Thoughts of running downstairs to wake up my mom and dad filled my head, but I was too far away for that. The next morning, I knew I had to go to the hospital. Luckily an Australian girl staying near me needed to go see a doctor as well, so we split a ride. I was thinking I was just going to get some antibiotics, but after getting to the hospital I realized how sick I was. I was sprawled out on the bed waiting for the doctor to come see me, just shaking from the fever and feeling super delirious and just scared. The doctor came in and after what was a blur, I was being sent to an isolation ward in another hospital because I was suspected to have swine flu. It was the most insane scene, local tv cameras capturing me arriving at the hospital, and all the while knowing my parents were having a sleepless night at home not sure of my condition. I praise the Lord that He was with me in that hospital, because I was in isolation for 7 days and it actually wasn’t so bad. After making friends with my muslim Indonesian neighbor by writing notes and holding it up to the window, and hearing everyones prayers for me at home, I was able to put my time in perspective, and praise God throughout. I would actually literally be singing and dancing to Hillsong Music during the long days. As dramatic as the event was, I got better and when I was released I was greeted by a much friendlier crew of cameras asking me how I felt. “I am just ready to be back outside,” was the only thing I managed to say.

After that, I had a week long boat trip with Surfing the Nations bringing clothes and aid to small villages in Lombok and Sumbawa. The days went by quickly and next thing you know STN was heading back to Hawaii. I had made arrangements to stay an extra 2 weeks and help out with Elevate, the Bali Community Youth Center that Shoreline supports. I also ran into some old friends that I met when God has just lit the flame for Bali in my heart. It was two radical surfer girls who God had led to open a place called the Bali Surf House, a place for surfers to outreach to the surfers of the island. Already not having a place to stay, they opened up a room to me. For the first time in 7 months I slept in a room by myself, and it was such a blessing. I spent the two weeks splitting my time between the Bali Surf House and Elevate, getting involved with both.
This was the time that I became aware of the true passion I have for the people of Bali. I was spending amazing time with the Lord, and felt that every day, He was sending me on sick adventures where I would end up making a new friend, or meeting someone I knew he has purposed for me. Probably some of the best times of my life were in these two weeks. My friends at the Bali Surf House really needed more full time help, and quickly noticed my passion for the people and the language of Indonesia. I felt in my heart that my time was coming to make the move, but I returned back to STN in Hawaii just as planned. It was probably the hardest plane I’ve ever had to board, but I knew that God’s timing is perfect, and when He desired it, I would be back.

Although feeling in my heart that change was coming, I pushed through and jumped into work in Hawaii. But after a month, something crept up on me. See, when I flew home I had this mean infection on my foot from a reef cut I got from surfing. By the time I was in Japan for my layover, my foot was so swollen it was jiggling. I know, gross. When I got back I never went to the doctor, I just cleaned my cut until it healed up. Well in September, I had new infections break out on my face and chest. I started to realize that this was not normal, and that I had staph again. At that time I had been praying alot about my future and couldn’t shake the feeling that God was making some changes. Next thing you know my car engine blows, my face is swollen on it with a knot the size of a golf ball, and I had some praying to do. After meeting with friends and leaders, I really felt strongly that I needed to come home, and my parents, after hearing about my infections, agreed. When I got home I saw a doctor immediately, who told me I had staph, ringworm on my scalp, and high blood pressure from the stress of all of it. My body was telling me to slow down. I realized that after a 7 day bed rest and isolation in Indonesia, jumping right back onto a boat and throwing caution to the wind wasn’t the best idea. I was really thankful I came home.

After feeling better, I met with my dad and Pastor Sam to talk about my future. I told them of the things I experienced in Bali, and the things I was going through in my heart. I fasted and prayed and at the end of it felt that I will not be returning to Surfing The Nations.

So what’s next for me? Right now I am currently in Destin, and freezing my butt off in the cold! In January a small group from Surfing the Nations will be here to do a movie premier of Jedidiah and Surfing the Nation’s new film, “Gum for My Boat,” a story about the Bangladesh surf team. I am going to help them around the state, and I am super excited to say that we were planning a premier here in Destin. It’s an amazing video that I hope you can all come out for. At the end of January, I am finally using my return flight to Hawaii to pick up the rest of my things, and heading off to Indonesia, where I am spending 5 months volunteering with different groups there, continuing to study the Indonesian language, and having time to continue to build the strong friendships I have made. I am also really going to be praying about where and what kind of ministry God wants for me there.

When I was walking out to board my plane in Honolulu to come back to Florida, I felt God whisper something in my ear- “Your path will not be the same as the rest.” So after hearing that, I am just allowing my Father to take me on this ride. I am not sure where I will end up, but I have faith that He will do big things.

Thanks for tuning in.
shooootz!