My Grandma Strader taught me to always write a thank you letter. Here is my thank you letter to the amazing hosts I’ve been blessed with this year.
Joe, John, & Jerry
-Puerto Rico-
Puerto Rico will always hold a special place in my heart. Not only was it my first experience on the race, but it was the catalyst to change my expectations of God. Jerry & John, I am thankful that you provided my team a beautiful place to live and worship during our off time. We were truly the “beach team” this month and spoiled badly! Joe, thank you for connecting us with Hogar Crea. I was so blessed to be able to serve those men and tell them about the redemption that comes with a relationship with Christ. Thank you all for an amazing first month.
Click Here to Read more about PR ministry
Ruben & Vicki
-Dominican Republic-
Thank you both for just being you. I learned so much this month about the Lord, and family, and ministry, and myself, and all sorts of other things. The way your family loved each other and showed love to our squad was rare. One of my most powerful encounters with the Lord was at your church on the Sunday Pastor Ruban spoke about the kid beating up the doll during English classes. When we did worship at the end, the Lord met me at the altar and began to break a lot of things off me I had been carrying around. I loved that you taught us the importance of praying over the vision God’s given you, and the prayer walk around your property is still one of my favorite days of ministry. I am so grateful to you both for pouring into each of us and allowing or squad to be a part of your vision. Oh and thanks for letting us steal Junior all the time.
Click Here to see where we lived in DR
Click Here to Read about our host’s son Junior
Paul & Jay
-Bolivia-
This month was one of my hardest on the race. I struggled a lot with some personal things and there were days when all I wanted to do was go home. But, God used this month and your ministry to pull me through this tough time and continue the race. I am grateful that you allowed my team and I the flexibility to do kids ministry when realized we had a gifting there. Some of the funniest jokes and laughs came from working with your ministry. And the food….well I think we can all say it was a top food month!
Click Here to Read More Blogs About Bolivia
Pastor, Manuel & Cajamarca Family
-Peru-
You took care of us so well this month. I am grateful for all the things you did above and beyond what was required of a host. You protected us like family and I felt very loved by your entire family and extended church family. I enjoyed working with your churches throughout the country and I will always remember this as the most beautiful country I visited this year. Thank you for treating us like family.
Click Here for a Blog About Peru
Will & Amanda
-Ecuador-
I couldn’t have planned a better first host as a new team leader. You both embraced my team and me with open arms and I look back on our time with you with the sweetest memories. I appreciate how you integrated with our team not only working alongside but worshipping and having fun too. We were immensely blessed by your family and you set the bar high for our newly formed team. Thank you so much! I will never forget the stupid ninja game…”Fah-rah-rah-rah-rah!”
Here is a Blog about my first ministry in Ecuador
Pastor Fernando
-Ecuador-
I learned a lot about working hard and pushing through obstacles this month. Thank you for showing me that sometimes progress means taking on a project literally brick by brick. I was stretched this month and I know that although growth sometimes hurts, you come out better at the end of the process. Thank you for being a part of that growth process. It was in Ecuador that God began laying out the next steps for what He’s calling me to do. It was those conversations with Him that I believe the trajectory of my life had made a shift. I am thankful for this month.
Tom & Holly
-Panama-
Thanks for taking us in last minute and letting us be a part of what you guys are doing in Panama. I enjoyed worshipping and praying alongside your students are staff. It was this month where the Lord reminded me that He’s given me a heart for worship and I need to use the gifts He’s given me to praise Him. Thank you for setting an example of how important being in the presence of the Lord is to effective ministry.
Read More about my time in Panama
Tony & Rosita
-Costa Rica-
You both are so precious. The Lord’s presence is so strong in both of your lives. Although, physically this was the toughest month for me and I can’t say that God is calling me to weed picking ministry, I was blessed by my time with you. I loved seeing when you (Tony) would stand out looking out at the sky and you would praise Jesus, with your whole heart, for the rain. Then 30 minutes later when the sun would be beating down over the field you would praise Him with just as much enthusiasm for the sunshine. Your devotion to praise is beautiful. Rosita, your love for the community is admirable. It is obvious that you desire to show love to whoever comes in your path. I loved watching you love on others. Thank you both for loving Jesus and encouraging me to want to love Him more.
Watch Our Cribs Video from Costa Rica
Eric
-Nicaragua-
Thank you for trusting us to be spirit-led this month and allowing us the freedom to minister where He was directing. While I was only here a short time, I enjoyed working with the kids and the community. We were able to immerse in the community and culture around us and for that I am grateful.
Keith & Vicki Crowder
-Honduras-
I was reminded this month that ministry isn’t always roses and sunshine; sometimes it’s hard and messy. I know the intention for the month wasn’t what transpired, but I am grateful that I was able to see God working in the midst of a hard situation. Thank you for allowing us to love on the kids and your family during our time there. Although way too short, that month will always be one of the most impactful months of the entire year. I know God had our path’s cross for a reason and I’m hopeful I will be seeing you all again.
Deborah & Sarah
-Honduras-
You literally took us in when we were homeless. Although not planned, the end of this month was a beautiful time for my team. We were able to follow God’s leading and sought His will for the rest of our month. He showed us His plans are way better than our own. I was so blessed by the different avenues we were able to minister in on the island and I’m grateful for all your connections and encouragement. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us and showing us the importance of immersing yourself in the community.
-El Salvador-
Although we didn’t have a host this month, because we were assigned Unsung Heroes, I want to say thank you to all our prospective hosts. Each of you took the time to meet with us and make us feel welcomed. You encouraged us along the way and I’m excited to hear about the future ministry World Race teams will do with each of you.
Pastor Ronaldo and Amigos de Israel Family:
Thank you for blessing us over and over again. I felt so loved and taken care of during our time with you. Thank you for allowing us to work alongside you team in all different areas of ministry. Your church is truly a community of believer who seek to show love and you do that so well.
Pastor Jr. & church family
Your ministry gave me hope for the youth of this generation. I was so encouraged by your kids and how they worshipped God with a fierceness. Thank you for allowing us to share with your students and worship alongside of you.
Read more about my time in El Salvador
Paul & Hilda
-Guatemala-
This was a great place to end the race. Thank you for showing us what it looks like to disciple and raise up the next generation. The guys you are training were such an encouragement to my team and me. They renewed my faith in the young men that will one day lead their families with Christ at the center. I am grateful to you for all your encouragement and giving us the opportunity to end the race well.
