In The News!

When Matt Peters decided to embark on the World Race, an 11-month missions-style trip around the world, he knew he would be pushed to his limits physically, mentally, emotionally and most importantly, spiritually.

Never, though, did he imagine the actual hardships he would have to overcome, including coming face to face with armed robbers.

The first stop for Peters after leaving the comforts of his home in Arnaud in January was Peru. His team spent nearly three months in Peru, including time in the jungle, which saw Peters fall quite ill and his spirits low while his squad traveled by barge to the Amazon River in high heat and humidity.

At the beginning of April the World Race crew landed in neighbouring Bolivia and a couple of weeks later they once again packed up their few belongings and headed to Africa where they were quickly pointed in the direction of Botswana.

Later in June the team headed to Namibia, which was a last minute change from the planned Zimbabwe, a country on the verge of civil war. The end of the month then brought the team to Malawi, which is were things started going more astray than Peters could have imagined. It was also where he finally understood how important God really is to him.

Peters revealed that his time spent in Nkhotakota, the village where the slave trade began in Africa, is a time he will never forget, mostly because of the strength and peace he found in a group of pastors that he worked alongside with for 10 days.

He noted the population there is 90 percent Muslim and the other 10 percent is comprised of traditional charmers (Animism), Christian and Mormon followers. The group spent much of their time in rural areas accessible only on foot.

Peters reminisces that the pastors were always smiling, were “excited for what the Lord was going to do and had overwhelming peace in their work.” He also pointed out that they all had families and worked in addition to acting as a pastor for a church and being in the process of planting another church.

His perspective on things changed much during those 10 days and allowed him to see what was happening around the world as far as “suffering for the gospel.” He also said recently that he now has a new understanding of truly living out his faith and that he is encouraged that God is working in one of the “darkest corners of the world.”

Double trouble

The time in Malawi had shown Peters who he was and “more importantly who (he) was not.” Part of this discovery came from spending time with the pastors and the other part came from the harsh reality of having his personal belongings stolen.

While in Nkhotakota somebody raided his tent overnight, stealing his “comfortable” shoes, camera (including two memory cards) and his toiletries bag. Because of the remoteness of their location, Peters was left walking barefoot for nine days.

He pointed out that “life is not about things, it is about living in the spirit of God” and that he actually has found it somewhat freeing to have less, “God takes things from us to show us that all we truly need is Him.”

Peters was the only one known to have been targeted during that theft but a couple of weeks later many of the squads were housing in a hostel in Johannesburg, South Africa before catching a flight to India when the hostel occupants were robbed at gunpoint.

While one of the robbers was waving a gun in his face, Peters said that he “instantly understood that this world is not worth the fight. (That he is) a child of God and has a seat in heavenly places.”

While nothing was taken from him directly during this robbery, his pictures, documents and videos were on a teammate’s computer that was stolen and a few books he had lent to friends were taken as well. Other people had laptops, cameras, iPods, money, passports and a few even their bags, full of clothing and personal items, stolen.

Peters asked friends and family in an e-mail three days after the robbery to “pray for forgiveness from violation and holding hatred,” explaining that the robbers had no personal ties to the group. He said he understands that the conflict between Nigeria and Zimbabwe is “heating up” and that they were “just people who were caught in the middle.”

Peters also reported that his squad was doing very well and that luckily no one was shot or injured. Leaving Africa shortly after and spending a week in a debriefing session in Delhi, India helped immensely. Coaches from the U.S.A. came out and dealt with things up front, according to Peters.

Moving forward

He said that while the robbery took many things from the group physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally the situation taught many of them who they are and are not. He added that for many of them it was the first time in their lives where they had no control on the outcome and were left completely helpless.

Peters noted that relationships have become much more meaningful in all of their lives since the robbery in Johannesburg. He also said that having been robbed twice has been “more encouraging than discouraging” to him. Despite first being frustrated, Peters has decided to “forget it and move forward” instead of taking it personally and letting it get to him.

At the end of a four week period the group will pack up and head to southeast Asia where they are scheduled to work in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.

He has already ventured to more than 11 countries and said that he does not regret anything so far. He admits to having made some mistakes or having had sour attitudes, but said that he is pushing to make every minute count.

He stated that traveling the world has given him amazing stories and pictures, among other things, but that the most defining experience this year has been with the people he has met.

“The Lord did not call me to be a number in a world full of missionaries, he called me by name to the work I am doing. I know that. And that is the most exciting thing that is not only inspiring me to keep going on the program, but to keep living life to its fullest, one moment at a time.”

To follow Peters’ journey, or to support him financially, visit www.mattpeters.theworldrace.org.