As you know, this journey will be a complete change from what everyday looks like here at home. So of course, it follows that I will need different equipment than what I use everyday. I had been researching about what gear would be best for me and luckily have some pretty fantastic supporters that have clued me in on what to look for. Finally, I recently had time in my schedule to go to REI in Denver. This place was AMAZING! The building itself was this cool brick structure with neat architecture and inside was even sweeter. Plus everyone inside, apart from my mother and I, looked like they totally belonged there. Everyone was so…granola…is that an adjective? I don’t know but it so completely encompasses the vibe was in that store. I loved it! Will I be granola after this journey through 11 countries? One can only dream, I suppose. But I digress…
My mom had gone with me and we ended up spending around five hours wandering around in amazement while trying to find the right gear. All of the people that helped us were knowledgable and really educated me on the gear I was looking for. Most of them seemed really interested in what I will be doing for the next year and several had been to some of the countries I will be traveling to. I was able to have great conversations with a couple of the employees that helped me. In fact, one of the first employees that helped me in getting a tent saw my binder (the one that has everything that I need to stay organized for this whirlwind of preparing to leave in July) and asked what exactly I needed it for. I told him about the World Race and he responded with, “I thought it was a missions trip when I saw the word “Kingdom”. I am also a believer!” I had a sudden urge to hug or high five him! Luckily my mom had already started to engage him in a conversation so I was able to collect myself and avoid that potentially awkward moment of arm flailing…Anywho, we talked a little longer and he helped me compare tents to figure out which one I would like best.
This is the cover of my binder that became a connection point
After we finished getting a tent and footprint, we moved on to getting fitted for a backpack. First off I would like to mention how extremely excited I was when Javier (backpacking extraordinaire and the man that helped me find the perfect pack) told me that I needed a small pack according to my measurements. Bless that dear man! I haven’t been told that I needed a small anything since I was in elementary school. That just made my day. While Javier was showing me the ins and outs of backpacking bags and telling me about his adventures through Nepal as a mountain guide, our tent-helper (who by the way, I feel horrible that I can’t remember his name, but shall from herein after refer to him as Derek) came over and slipped my mom a piece of paper and asked her to pass it on to me when I had a minute. It turns out the Lord has given him a word for me and Derek was obedient in passing that along to me. How awesome is that!! Basically a stranger that I had just met not even 30 minutes before, overcame any hesitation about giving word out at work to a stranger to be obedient and bold in the Lord.
This was amazing. It was so encouraging to receive this and get even more excited for what God will do in and through me on the Race. It was so good to not only read this word but also have this example of obedience. It was like God used this to remind me to be bold in Him, even if I may be afraid it is not the right time or place. God always knows the right time and place. If He is telling me to do something, then it IS the right time and place for HIS plan. I want to be obedient with boldness and without hindrance when my Savior calls me forth.
All in all, the trip to Denver was incredible. I got some awesome gear (that I get to try out at training camp, which is right around the corner WHOOP WHOOP!), met some amazing people all with their own story and advice to give, and received a valuable word and lesson from God, through Derek, that I am sure will prepare me for not only the World Race, but for my life in general. No matter where I am in the world or what I am doing, even outside of the “missions field”, I can be bold in Him to share the love of Christ.
Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. ~ Ephesians 3:12
