If Anna is my Effie in the Hunger Games, then Billy is my Haymitch.
As part of the 2011 Y Squad, Billy just came back from his race in July. I met Billy at Training Camp where he and other alumni came to volunteer and support new racers. We met up a few weeks later when he came out to San Francisco for an inner city outreach conference and invited me to come hear Francis Chan speak.
Unlike Haymitch, Billy doesn't have a drinking problem or a bad case of grumpiness. On the opposite, he's one of the most cheerful guys I've met and thoroughly adviced me on all kinds of concerns about the race from the ideal size of one's daypack to how team changes can positively impact a squad.
This is what Billy has to share:
Jackie: Give me three words to describe your race.
Billy: Breathtaking, Empowering, Outstanding.
Jackie: Did you have a "comfort" or favorite go to item on the race?
Billy: My iTouch, music, sermons, audio books, and the occasional movie. This was my "get away" and a place where I could relax, be filled up, or just jam out! This was something I was using everyday day. I recommend bringing a good pair of head phones and a few backups. Some people went through headphones like water. I had a great quality pair and I was happy I did as they lasted the whole time and are still great today.
Jackie: Can you share a vivid image that moved you?
Billy: In the Philippines, I met a family of 4, with a newborn baby, living in a "home" the size of an average kitchen. "Home" is far too generous a description of what it was. It was more like a falling apart, poorly constructed, play house built by a 6 year old. It had insect infected tarps as a roof and it no longer kept the rain off the family except for a 4×4 area where they would have to sleep sitting upright in order to try to stay dry. We were able to build them a much improved home but it was still what an American would consider a play house for kids. I was touched by how little we need as so much of the world lives with far less than any American. We have so much. Are we grateful or complacent? Are we just living for ourselves or are we doing something with all that we have been given? These are the questions that now stir in my heart and steer my steps.
Jackie: Knowing what you know now, what is something you would have done differently on the race?
Billy: I would not have stressed out so much about packing and buying all the right things. I would have spent less money on gear. Trust God more, and worry less, when it comes to fundraising and final deadlines. More dance parties! Don't get too serious. Be more serious, don't loose focus of why your there. Read my bible more, I know it sound crazy but its easy to get busy with other things sometimes.
Jackie: How did the race change you?
Billy: I have been exposed to the real need of the world. I am the not same. After seeing all that I have I am no longer satisfied with living an average, half committed, "Christian" life when it comes to the things that Christ called important. I have been there before and I am no longer satisfied.
Jackie: What are you doing now after the race?
Billy: This is a huge question coming back form the Race. My greatest fear was that of being alone and feeling like nothing changed. Before I even knew what was happening God was leading me down a path to my next step. Through following simple leading of my heart I found myself in San Francisco for a week and learning about a ministry there. I had no plans of ever going there but God made it abundantly clear that this was where I was supposed to come next. All those fears the enemy tried to get me worrying about never came about as God blew me away as I continued to surrender my heart to Him. If everythings goes like I expect I will be doing inner city ministry in San Francisco through discipleship – where my passion lies. It's a totally legit place and people there are sold out to truly walk out this faith we too often just casually profess.
Jackie: Anything else you wanna share?
Billy: Journal! This is one of greatest things I am thankful I did. Journal your struggles, victories, conflicts, and stories. God taught me so much over the race but I would have forgotten those lessons if I did not have them written down. Now I can look back at them and see all that God was showing me and they are becoming the anchors of truth that I now try to live my life from.
Billy, I pray that God keeps you strong but at the same time that your heart would break for the unloved in the Tenderloin District in San Francisco. To thank you for all the advice, I'll give you a tried and true SF to-do list from a local, like visiting Dolores Park and stopping by for Bi-Rite ice cream, sigh.. all the things I'll miss while I'm on the race.
You can read more about Billy's world race journey here.
