So throughout the course of the race, I’ve struggled to blog for many different reasons. Some of them stem from laziness- no computer, lack of interest in blogging, tired from ministry- and others stem from frustration and confusion. The first stem of reasons are things that I need to work on and push past, but I would like to focus on the second stem, frustration and confusion. I feel that if I was this confused about the race, how much more are my supporters. So I’ve decided to set the story straight.
The race is turning out to be nothing like most of us thought it would be. Going into the race, most of us thought the primary focus would be outreach or serving our ministry hosts. However, most of us have come to realize that the primary focus is our squad or ourselves. Some, including myself at times, have even tagged it as a ‘glorified self-help program.’ There are logistical reasons of why the race is done this way and pros and cons to it. And please, do not read the words I’m not writing. I’m not saying we don’t do outreach. We do outreach everyday. It’s just not our primary focus. And I’m also not saying that God is not at work in The World Race. I’ve seen so much movement from God over the past six months; it’s incredible.
Now logistically speaking, we travel to eleven countries in eleven months giving us one month in each country. This usually gives us just over three weeks at each contact (due to travel and debriefs) and sometimes we even have more than one ministry giving us even less time with each contact. On the other side, the squad, we have known each other since October and have been living with each other since January. There are even rules that say racers can’t go anywhere by themselves (which makes people go crazy sometimes. Hah) The point I’m trying to make is that the ministry we can do with each other has potential to go much further than the ministry with our contacts. This has less to do with lack of effort and more to do with design.
Now I’ll move onto cons before pros so we can end on a good note. The first and most obvious con is that I don’t get to do as much in depth, personal outreach as I would like with the locals. It’s easy to fall into going into ministry, doing your job, and leaving. A lot of this is a personal choice too. Every day I have a chance to meet new people and dig in deeper into their personal lives, however that is limited by the time restraint. Another con is that we spend so much time focusing on the race that it’s hard to talk about anything but the race. All this ‘race talk’ has even brought buzz words that mostly only racers understand (feedback, pressing in, one on ones, team time, etc.) Talking about the race isn’t necessarily bad, but sometimes it can make you want to go crazy. Haha
Finally we get to the pros. With all of the cons being said I can still say that God is present. I can still say that He’s all powerful and in control. I can say that I’ve seen so much growth in every individual from our squad and that the inward focus can be used as a good thing. I can also say that we are impacting each country and each community in positive ways for the Kingdom. I can say that unloved children have been loved, that homes for orphans and widows are being built, that organizations are training the poor for jobs and spiritual growth, that the hungry are being fed, and that the sick are being healed. I could go on forever, but I’m not sure the Internet could contain all that God is doing on the race.
I decided to post this blog to paint a clearer picture of what we are doing and to give you a better understanding of the ministry you are serving by your support in love, prayer, and finance. I’m so thankful for every supporter and the opportunity to be a part of the race. I know that God has much more for me in these final five and a half months, but I do need your help in support in order to continue. I currently need $5750 by July 1st to finish the race. Please prayerfully keep me in mind!
