I have crossed the halfway point of the World Race! I wish there was a way that I could express to you how much my life has been changed by this adventure. I don't think I ever expected to learn and grow so much. I'm not even sure I thought it was possible.
With your help, I have surpassed the original amount that I needed to fund my race. Let me pause and say that raising those funds is a miracle in and of itself. You all have shown such generosity, service, and sacrifice. I cannot thank you enough but I hope that when you read my blogs, look at my pictures, or watch my videos, you are reminded that your gifts have made this work possible.
In addition to the $15,500 I also need to raise $778 to cover the insurance of my trip. The final deadline is July 1st. It's close but it's doable.
At the current moment, I still need $766 to finish funding my race. I’m so close and together we have accomplished so much. I could not have done this without you. God has done so much in my life, and He has done so much through me. I am left in awe as well as excited anticipation for what will come of the next 5 months on the race.
I love you all and just as I began this race with you, I want to finish this race with you. Just as much as I am on a squad and a team, you are my team, building me up, encouraging me when it’s hard, and making this adventure and mission possible.
With 6 months down on the race and only 6 days remaining until the deadline. I ask you to please consider supporting me one more time to make this final push to be fully funded.
I hope to give you a more detailed description of the changes, transformations, and challenges that I have experienced in the first half of my race but, for now, here are a few of the biggest and most meaningful moments and realizations that I have had.
- I was a team leader for 4 months and have been raised up to be a squad leader.
- I had never thought of myself as a leader but apparently God had a different plan and shared that with the AIM staff. These roles have proven themselves to be and continue to be some of the most challenging and rewarding roles I have ever had.
- God has shown me that there is beauty in the messes and in the uncertainty; that he will give me exactly what I need when I need it.
- The World Race is messy. At times it may be spiritually messy, emotionally messy and, often times, physically messy. God continues to teach me that sometimes it's ok to not have all the answers. Sometimes it's ok to make mistakes. Sometimes it's all right to be scared. There is grace, there is love, there is beauty in imperfection.
- I have value and I actually like being me.
- I'm not sure if that sounds conceded but, I assure you, it's not intended that way. For years I have doubted myself and allowed myself to believe that I didn't really have anything to offer. Little by little, though, God has begun to show me that I actually am pretty all right. I am now comfortable in my own skin and I am growing in confidence that I have value and I actually have a lot to give.
- I am the only me there is ever going to be and there is so much inside of me that God continues to grow in me and pull out of me. It has been an amazing transformation.
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for the love you have shown and continue to share. God has so much more planned for this trip and together we will see what these next 5 months hold!
With love and immense gratitude,
Doug
P.S. – I want to repost my Nepal video here to share a look at where I have been, what I've done, and what I've seen. Please feel free to watch my other videos as well as each month has looked so different and has been so unique in every way. Thank you!
