041 Timeless in Armenia… because I lost my phone!

Hi Family and Friends!

Yes, I’ve lost my phone in month 8 of the World Race! 

We recently arrived in Armenia! The second day here I left my phone in a taxi. Unfortunately, the driver hasn’t turned the phone into the police… yet! 

My team, Team FillUp, has been very sweet in helping me file a police report, praying, and keeping their eyes out for that taxi! 

Losing my phone has had some blessings in releasing more areas of my life to the Lord and relying on my teammates: 

• Rather than touching my phone first thing in the morning to turn off the morning alarm, and then often getting distracted by a notification, my focus is on the Lord and prayer in the mornings! 
• Most of my photos were saved and backed up! Other audio files, contacts, notes, and memories were on the phone. When I remember something that was left on the phone, my team is sweet to mourn with me. 
• Camera: My team has been so loving and willing to take pictures of me and of the areas we see! 
• Knowing the info: Laying down being the person who can ask Google, look up the new Armenian word, or map out our route has been challenging but freeing to build communication with my team!
• Clock: Most of the time, I am unaware of what time it is currently. My days are more fluid and free to sit with the Lord rather than keeping track of the time. Teammates are kind to remind when we are about ready to go to another location! 

 {Paula let me borrow her watch so I would know when to meet up in the mall!}

I am still praying that the phone will miraculously return! Or I am praying about peace to purchase another phone 🙂 

July – August Updates with Pictures! 

Georgia Countryside | The last few weeks have been incredible! We traveled through the Georgian countryside, hiked mountains, and spoke with many tourists throughout Georgia. Many visitors from UAE, India, Lebanon, and neighboring countries were visiting on holiday during our travels!  

Georgian Hostel Living | We arrived to a Georgian Hostel on August 3rd, which is National Watermelon Day in the United States! We were having a CYOM day (Choose Your Own Ministry). And so I carefully waddled all my belongings and a large watermelon into the hostel. Cutting the watermelon and sharing with the other hostel guests quickly sparked friendships and conversations! 🙂 I have refreshing watermelon and refreshing, hopeful news! I met friends from Norway, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Italy, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, UAE / Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, and many people from Georgia!  

Team Changes: Introducing Team FillUp! | Our squad of 28 people gathered at the hostel for team changes! Team changes happen every 3-4 months of the race. There is a book of the Bible called Philippians, we are Team FillUp or the FillUpians! We are filling up with the Lord and truth so we can fill up each other and those we meet! I will be living life with these lades for the last 3 months of our World Race! 

{Our first team picture! Paula, Alli, Rachel, Victoria, Antoinette The ground had several puddles after our FillUp skit!}

Loving my team with Treasury! In addition to team changes, I changed roles and will be loving my team by stewarding our finances! Keeping budgets, treasure hunting for ATMs, writing receipts, and monthly reports are now part of my days! ALL the ladies are willing to help with this process of record keeping!

{Picture of my first ATM withdrawal in Georgia!}

SURPRISE! Traveling by Train to Armenia | Our plans were made, plane tickets purchased, and details set to be in Uzbekistan for the month of August! However, we continued encountering roadblocks when applying for visas. There is currently an 8 month wait for us to enter the country. Our squad leadership prayed and we quickly rerouted to Armenia! Following the Lord’s leading and direction is so important. Taking a night train together was fun and memorable!

Mt. Ararat: The Landing Zone for Noah’s Ark | Outside our door is a Bible location! Armenia is the first country to call Christianity it’s national religion. And the first place where Noah built an Altar to the Lord. Genesis 6-9 has the story of Noah!   

Genesis 8:4-5 and on the seventeenth day of the seventh month the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. The waters continued to recede until the tenth month, and on the first day of the tenth month the tops of the mountains became visible.

Genesis 8:20 “Then Noah built an altar to the Lord…”

Prayer Requests:

Wisdom on staying connected with people we have met on our travels. And for God to continue bringing people across their path to share about our hope and peace. 

Phone: My personal prayer is to remember to have Jesus be Lord of my time even when I have a phone again!

Focus: We have less than 3 months left on the World Race! Please pray for our squad’s focus to continue pouring into communities and people we meet while also praying and preparing to come home!