I have to say that hopping in a canoe to cross a rushing, dirty river in Guatemala is not the safest thing I ever did.
Noel reminded me to close my mouth as the dirty water splashed into the boat and onto our faces.
Dirty water that the people along the river wash their clothes in and bathe their bodies in everyday.
Water that makes them sick, sometimes deathly sick.
Not safe.
Or comfortable.
Maybe not wise by this world’s standards.
But you know what?
It was awesome.
In those moments, I lived alive.
From a girl who has battled her share of fear, crossing that contaminated river in an old boat to rescue dying babies on the other side, when fear could have crept in, instead, this:
If it capsizes and we drown here, I will have no regrets. I was risking almost nothing for them to gain everything. It was worth it.
In her book, Awake, World Help Vice President Noel Brewer Yeatts writes
“Couldn’t we just sum up the entire American dream in the single word “safety”?
… But there is a problem. We cannot be safe and take risks at the same time… so we must answer this question: Do we want to stay safe, or do we want to change the world?”
Now I’ve stood on both sides of the river.
On the safe side, on the shore of easy American life, it is comfortable. I can talk about the world’s problems from my couch as I sip a pumpkin spice latte and shop online.
In the boat, the water’s rough and the ride’s bumpy. It’s messy and dirty. Risky.
Life is full and beautiful in the risk.
In my heart, in the thick of it, I am convinced there’s not a better way to live than uncomfortable, unsafe, undone.
by grace alone,
Lauren
linking up with some of these link ups + communities
I am blogging with WorldHelp from Guatemala this week, October 1-6. I am joining a team of partners and bloggers to join the rescue: Operation Baby Rescue. Thank you for joining us to save lives and restore hope! You can tweet with us at #irescue and #blog4WH.
To read more about the rescue, please take a moment to watch the short film in the sidebar.
If you would be willing to give, you may do so HERE. Every dollar counts! Thank you, friends, for joining this incredible journey.
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How amazing! What an incredible journey and such a reminder that I shouldn’t be longing for safety, but to be completely undone by the living God.
Praying for you as you change the world!
Thank you Allyson!!! It’s a day-to-day challenge to choose living fearless… thanks for your prayers friends :)
xo,
lauren
Well written and beautifully said…. What an amazing opportunity! It’s been an amazing week. God is faithful.
Yes, friend, incredible hardly says it all. He is so good. xx, lauren
What an amazing opportunity! I’m praying the Lord shows my how to step out and risk for Him.
Mary Beth: So grateful that you stopped in and read the rescue posts. I’m embarrassed that I’m STILL catching up on comments from the trip. But I so appreciate your support. Blessings, l
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Wow. Amazing. What a story. Very touching. God is so good. Thank you for your kind words on my blog!
Thank you, April. His story is pretty remarkable… amazing that He invites us in!
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