Since committing to the World Race, God has done some pretty cool things, mostly in the form of sending me people. When I tell people that I’m going on the race, it’s common for them to respond with “oh my gosh! My cousin/sister/friend/neighbor/whatever went on the World Race!” Seeing how many people all around me have taken part in/been affected by this awesome thing that I get to be a part of blows my mind. The World Race is a tight-knit community, and once you’re in, you start forming connections everywhere.
One connection I made recently was with a girl named Brooke. Brooke lives in Lexington just like me, and was a part of the first generation World Race Gap Year. We met through Instagram (lol I know stranger danger, sorry mom), and grabbed coffee together shortly after. Y’all, this coffee date was a huge blessing. I knew that it would be good, but I didn’t know just how good it would be. Not only did I get to ask her questions like “what was the best part of your race” and “so, how exactly do you fit nine months worth of stuff into a backpack,” but I was prayed over and poured into in a way that I never expected. It was so incredible to talk about my hopes/fear/dreams/expectations with someone who has walked directly in my shoes. Brooke gave me the gift of her time and some great advice for my race, but the thing that impacted me the most was her telling me about what happened afterwards. She said “I’ve grown even more in the time since I’ve been back than I did on the race. It’s about being open to God.” And then she reminded me that the time I have left in Lexington is almost equal to the amount of time I will spend on the World Race. Whoa.
I don’t have to wait until I’m halfway across the world to love and serve Jesus in a big way. My ministry starts here and now, and my mission field is where my feet are planted. Christ needs to be evident in the way I love my neighbors and serve my community. Jesus needs to be shown in how I treat my waiters at restaurants, how I respect and listen to my parents, how invested I am in loving my Common Good babies, how intentional I am with my actions, how kind I am towards classmates, and in the way that I live and breathe and work and abide in Lexington, Kentucky.
Imagine how different the world would look if Christians lived like they were on a mission trip every single day. And then, realize that we are on a mission every second of every minute of every day. Or at least, we’re supposed to be. People in the U.S. need unconditional love and grace and patience and kindness and hope just as much as everyone else… so start giving it away. God wants you to invite your neighbor to dinner just as much as He wants you to do door-to-door ministry in Nicaragua. He wants you devote time to pouring into awkward middle school students just as much as He wants you to put on a VBS for kids in Haiti. One of the deepest desires of His heart is too see His children loving people and shining His light in every corner of the globe.
I can’t even put into words how excited I am for the race. God is good, and I’m so thankful that He’s blessed me with this opportunity. But I am also excited that I get to live in Lexington. I am excited that during this season of my life, I get to be a servant in my hometown. I will be present, and rest in His presence, and do my best to reflect the goodness of Jesus in my little corner of the world.
For the Kingdom, Ellen
P.S. I am always in need of support, both prayerfully and financially. If you feel led to donate to my trip, you can do that directly through this blog. Please be praying for me, my teammates, the countries we will be living in, and my time left in Lexington.
