Please first read Part One of this blog!
http://bethanywaddell.theworldrace.org/?filename=leader
I think some part of me has known all along that my time with the World Race wasn’t over. Sometimes I liked to try and shut that part up, especially on days when my bed was especially cozy or I was able to hang out with my nephew. Nevertheless, I am honored and humbled at the chance God has given me to do the thing that would have once taken my breath away with fear.
I remember sitting on the the floor of a hospital waiting room in the mountains of Honduras and asking Allan, one of my squad's alumni leaders, if he was glad he was doing it.
“Absolutely,” he said. “It’s the hardest thing I have ever done but one of the best decisions I ever made.”
Hannah, Lindsay, and Allan, my own E squad alumni squad leaders.
His words never left the back of my mind, and now I am excited and admittedly terrified to have accepted the opportunity to be the alumni squad leader to a new group of World Racers leaving in January. This time, rather than try to fade into the background, I will roll into training camp the willing leader of 55 or more fresh World Racers.
Alongside one or two other co-leaders, I will advocate for this new group of World Racers in every way I can 24/7 for the first five months of their Race. I will help manage physical, emotional, and spiritual health needs and conflicts while also helping to balance logistical and financial planning. This challenge will be anything but comfortable, but ultimately so rewarding and refining.
I will seek my new squad mates out as individually as I possibly can, making sure they know that I am a safe person with open arms.
I will wash their dishes and braid their hair and listen to their stories about home.
I will examine their scary rashes and take their temperature at 3am when they are sick, and always insist that they drink more water.
I will barge into their tents to watch movies, and rub their backs while they cry over how hard it is to leave that one particular orphan baby that everyone manages to find and fall in love with.
I will be thrilled to walk down dusty dirt roads with them and catch little children that throw themselves at us, and to get filthy doing construction projects, and to be Jesus to the homeless man, the poor widow, the prostitute.
I will refuse to let them speak poorly of themselves or others, speaking only life and truth and pointing out their numerous gifts, constantly encouraging them to use them.
I will help them learn to pick their battles and choose their attitudes, to make sure they realize the need to really laugh and enjoy this crazy adventure.
I will share sermons and worship music and Bible stories that God leads me to, and push my new friends out of their comfort zones far enough to let God work.
World Race travel days and friendships make some lasting memories.
And most importantly, I will lean on God and seek Him in a deeper way than I ever have. I may have been on my own World Race once before, but this will be a whole new adventure, challenge, and process in which to come to a deeper understanding of my Father and our relationship.
Training camp is going to be October 8-19, and I will launch in January. I do not yet know my route, squad, or co-leaders, but I love them all already.
I will be raising support in the amount of either $5,000 or $6,000, depending on the route. If you feel led to support me in any amount, I will be so incredibly grateful to have you on my prayer and support team. I promise to give continued updates on the discipleship process and ministry outreaches of this group of new World Racers.
If you would like to help give towards the trip itself, you can click below and follow the instructions for giving online or mailing checks to my World Race fundraising account. If you wish to help me cover the $785 medical insurance or other various trip costs, you can message me for my personal address.
https://www.adventures.org/give/donate.asp?giveto=worldrace&desc=For%20Bethany%20Waddell
Above all, thank you for all of your kindness, support, and prayers! I could never have done this for the first time without your help and am honored by your presence for round two! Stay tuned for updates!
