At the beginning of the Race, fundraising was exciting and exhilarating. It was humbling to see who would support me, and who would help me fundraise. While I was fundraising, supporters were in such awe of this ‘trip’ I was taking, and how much ‘fun’ I would be having. Don’t get me wrong, there have been memories made that I will NEVER forget. I have traveled the world, seen some of the most beautiful places, and met so many different people. This has been the most impactful journey of my life.
The World Race is not just a trip, it’s a journey. Fundraising for it is stretching and stressful. Not everyone you know will be willing to support you.
The World Race is hard, but it spurs growth. It teaches you to overcome setbacks, frustrations, disappointments, and discouragement. On the other hand, the World Race promotes growth, dependence on God, a new understanding of your faith, vulnerability, discernment, trust, and how to love everyone you meet without compromising your faith. With each foundational stone comes a dozen lessons to be learned. All of which is condensed into 11 months with 6 other people.
For me, the World Race has changed who I am and who I will forever be. I know that I will never be the same again. Truth be told, I’ve struggled and I still struggle. I struggle with feeling good enough about the past I’ve lived and with being okay to share it. I struggle with my validation being found only in the Lord.
I struggle with being okay that I’m not okay.
Based on my past some might say that I shouldn’t be on the Race or that it’s too soon. Yet there are others who encourage me. All I know is that every day God confirms that this is where I am supposed to be because this is where He wants me to be.
Then Jesus came to then and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the same of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28: 18-20
The truth is that we all have junk. Sometimes it may look different than others, yet sometimes it can be so similar. My past is different, but it doesn’t make me any different. The Lord is showing me how to deal with and process all of the poor choices that I’ve made, but I still have to deal with and figure out life on the race. I have to realize that my past doesn’t correspond to every fault I have, but that there are areas of my life that it does directly affect.
I have seen so much growth in myself in how I respond and handle certain situations that before the Race would have made me angry, and caused me to lash out. I’ve become so much more dependent on God since being on the World Race. When I miss my family and friends, being by myself, driving myself, having my own income, or being self-supported—I realize that the only thing I have that is completely certain in this life is God. When facing these struggles, I realize I should only turn to the Lord because he is truly the only one who understands, who can comfort me in my times of distress, and walk with me through all of my junk.
The World Race is hard, but it is worth it. Every struggle, every revelation that there is still more to work through, every tear, every smile, every step that takes me away from who I was and brings me into who God is creating me to be is worth it. It’s all worth it.
This journey of figuring out who I am created to be could end a lot sooner than 11 months. I am past the deadline to be fully funded and still $2,300 short of the grand total of $15,500. I know that this is where God wants me and this is where I’ll stay.
“How then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:14-15
Everything that I have gone through and learned on this journey so far is totally worth it. Unfortunately, the reality is that if I’m not fully funded by the end of the month I could go home. I know that I have not yet reached the full potential that I believe the Lord has in store for me.
Prayerfully consider sponsoring me (again). Every donation counts!!
Please go to klarissastovall.theworldrace.org
