On the World Race, we have this thing called team time. It’s where we intentionally set aside time during the day to build relationships with one another. What we do depends on the person who is in charge of it that day and everyone takes a turn leading team time.
It was my turn for team time and I had a bunch of fun ideas. We could go have a picnic in Alun Alun park, we could go for a short hike nearby, we could sit in the bedroom together and simply listen to our own music on our headphones, the list goes on. But Kailey and some others expressed interest in hearing my testimony earlier in the week so that’s what I decided to do.
We sat upstairs around a table on a little balcony overlooking the homes of a neighborhood in Malang as I told them about my adventures with the Lord. The roadtrips, the heartbreaks, the wounds I carry, what living in LA was like, and everything that has happened that has made me the way I am.
The key I was given at the beginning of my race said “bold”. I wasn’t sure what it meant for me. I’ve always been considered myself pretty bold. I can look back in my rolodex of memories and recall times where I acted cowardly and I despise myself for it, but for the most part, stepping out into the unknown thrills me. I am on the World Race, right?
The idea behind the keys is once you “accomplish” your key or you “figure out what it means to you” you’re suppose to give away your key to someone you feel needs to do whatever the necklace says. Mostly racers want to keep them because they’re stylish, match everything, look cool, and are a great memento of your race. But I received an email from Austin the creator of the “Keys For The Journey” ministry reminding us to share our stories about our key and realized I needed to give mine away.
After I was done sharing my testimony, my team thanked me and asked to pray for me. I will never turn down a prayer! One by one as my team was praying for me, I knew who I had to give my key to, someone who needed to be reminded to walk in boldness.
Elva is my team leader. She has expressed to me a couple times how much she admires my boldness and desires that for herself. She immediately came to my mind as I thought about who to give my key to.
When the prayers were done, I stood up and took off my key necklace and gave it to her.
“I don’t need this anymore.”
It was awesome. I was actually surprised at how touched she was that I gave her my necklace. I mean this thing was started to rust from swimming in ocean water… We embraced. She cried, I was already crying because of my testimony, and I felt that peace of making the right choice.
Finally.
I wasn’t wearing a key necklace and had finally figured out who it was really for all along and I had a story for Austin’s ministry. Done and done. Give myself a pat on the back.
But little did I know our squad leader Patrick was looking to give away his necklace too. After I had given mine away to Elva, he felt lead to give his to me. This one says “Forgiven” and I have no idea what this means for me.
Are you kidding me?
I got to pray about this and figure it out all over again?!!?!?!
* facepalm *
God knows how to keep me occupied.
But while God is growing me out here in Indonesia, I am still fundraising to reach my goal of being fully funded! I am only $4,600 away from being fully-funded! If you want to give, just click “Donate” at the top of my page.
Austin, I would love for you to send me the idea behind the keys. I think it would be fun to implement for a youth group before the start of a new year. Would you mind sending me the information?
[email protected]
Yes!! This is awesome! Thanks for sharing Heidi! I love how the Lord is so intentional with us. That as we sacrifice things in our lives for Him He replaces those things with more of Him and usually multiplies what we get in return!(because He’s such a good GOd!).
Thanks for sharing your story!!