We all have a story to tell, we all have a childhood, and we all grow up and go thru different things. When we reach adulthood- we make our own decisions, we find our way in what can be a very crazy world! Sometimes things don’t always work out the way we want, but the way we handle what life throws at us is what will make or break us in the long run!
Many things have happened in my life, and there are a lot of those things that I didn’t handle so well. There are many times I wish that I could have done certain things and then for some reason or another I don’t get chosen or it just doesn’t work out. Well one of the bigger decisions that I have made in my life was to go on the world race! It was not an overnight decision, it took prayer, thought,lots and lots of research, as well as many conversations with trusted family and friends before I made the decision to apply to go on the journey that I am on now! Even in preparing for the world race- I had a ton of ups and downs and there were even times when I felt like throwing in the towel and quitting before I had even left the United States. Fundraising was a big challenge for me, I at times didn’t feel seen or known because of the very slow pace that my funds were coming in. What kept me going was the way that I not only dealt with the ups and downs that I faced during my time of preparing but it was also my attitude and my faith that kept me going!
Its a miracle that I am here on the world race, following Gods call on my life! God provided the funds I needed in his timing, in big ways- and now as of November 30th 2018 I officially get to finish the remaining 7 months of this world race journey! I am so thankful, grateful and blessed!
Upon going into the world race, I really desired to be in a position of leadership- most particularly I really wanted to be the story teller for my team. I went to the storytelling workshop prior to training camp and it was really life giving for me to gain some wisdom, ideas and learn new things when it comes to photography, videography, blogging, blogging and storytelling! Although I wasnt the one to be the storyteller for my first team on the world race- the experience of the story telling workshop was still super awesome!
Fast forward to month 5 debrief in Livingston Zambia, and a few days in- I got asked if I would want to be the storyteller for my new team by my squad mentor Grace! What do you think my answer was? I was pretty much ecstatic, jumping out of my seat, huge smile on my face- the answer is YES kind of ecstatic! I immediately asked if it was ok for me to tell people, she said yes and I went and told my girl Amy who is not only my sweet sister in christ, friend and a member of my first team on the race but she was also the storyteller for my team! She celebrated with me and was pretty much as excited as I was that God was giving me this opportunity! Also my girl Laiken who is talented and funny and was also on my 1st world race team- she got asked to be the storyteller for her new team too!
I am stoked for this new season that God has called me into of leading in the way of encouraging my team to share their stories!
:Prayer Requests:
- For myself and my squad/team to have peace and joy in the midst of being away from our families back home during Christmas.
- For all of the new teams to continue to work together to build unity, get to know one another past surface levels and love each other even thru challenges,
- For safety and traveling mercies as we travel to India in the first few days of the new year!
Thank you so much for reading and praying and supporting!
~Cimone Ortega~
