For 10 days, Lightning Chasers were isolated at our host home due to COVID exposures. We weren't able to travel into Chichi at all, which meant our ministry there was pretty much put to a complete halt. We also couldn't run errands, we didn't have wifi, and we were confined to our very close quarters. When we first got the news, I was super discouraged. I didn't come on the race to be stuck at home! I want to go meet people, engage with them, actually do ministry! I was jealous of the other teams who seemed to be doing "more" than us and already regretful for what I imagined would be wasted time.

Last week was one of my favorites on the race so far. As you can probably guess, we had a ton of extra time and freedom with how to spend it. We were able to complete a lot of great work for Juan and his ministry and also put together some fun things as a team. Our time was filled with so much laughter and so much of Jesus. 

I was super challenged this week in my time with God- He told me to rethink what it meant to spend time with Him. Before this week, this is usually how my “God time” went: pray, read the Bible, journal some notes or an application to remember, pray, and be done. There’s not necessarily anything wrong with that- I’m doing all the “right” things, right? 

God told me it’s not about completing a devotional or putting in a certain amount of time in the word- sometimes it’s about simply sitting in His presence. He reminded me of my relationship with my friend and college roommate, Ivy. I definitely have memories from football games, Spring Break vacations, and movie nights, but some of my favorite moments were just sitting together on the couch doing homework, driving to HEB, or reading on a towel in the front yard. It’s not about what we said or did, but just about being with each other. 

As a most loving Heavenly Father, God accepts and blesses whatever time His child gives Him, but He knew things could be even better for me. He doesn’t want “devo time Mary." He just wants "Mary." He told me to spend more time in His presence without a spiritual agenda, so I tried! In the morning after reading, I sat and asked Him questions for a while instead of writing. On my run, I laughed with God about how much fun I was having (yes, on a run), and marveled at the mountains He made. One afternoon, God told me to retreat and spend an hour with Him in prayer, and when I ran out of things to pray for, I just sat there until we found more things to talk about. I was nervous it would seem forced, but times like these have been natural and fruitful. 

God used quarantine to get me alone without distractions or excuses. I could have insisted on frustration and bitterness, but I would have missed out on what He had for me. He wants to break the box I try to put Him in, so that He can freely invade every part of my life. Quarantine doesn't put God on pause people- He is always working! 

Other fun highlights from covid isolation:  

1. Super Bowl Sunday! Awesome night of football (with spanish commentary), food, and fellowship with the team AND with Pastor Juan and his family. 

2. Finishing facilities! After plastering walls, laying cement floors, and creating functional doors, the foodbank and classroom are finished! 

3. Worship night! Everyone got to request their favorite song for a worship night under the stars. 

4. Creating a garden! Pastor Juan hopes to be able to feed his community with a self-sufficient garden. We were able to clear and level a plot of land for him to start planting. 

5. Team bonding! The Spirit is working to unite and strengthen relationships within our team(s). Testimonies and nightly prayers were powerful.