The infamous “they” say there are no bad questions. And I understand the logic. If you are asking questions, you are interested and engaged. However, I have come to see that there are hurtful questions and helpful questions. Hurtful questions come from a place of judgement or preconceived notions. They aren’t necessarily malicious in their intention, but they tend to put down a person. Helpful questions come from a place of understanding and encouraging, and everyone walks away with more insight.
As I am preparing for the World Race, I have encountered both types of questions. Everyone on my squad has. Fortunately for me, I have received WAY more helpful questions, but there are several of my squad-mates that get bombarded with the hurtful ones. Someone will comment about a discouraging conversation or a judgmental comment that was made, and I see it chip away a little of the joy that they have for the World Race. Praise the Lord that everyone jumps in to uplift one another when this happens, but it’s still hard, especially when a hurtful question comes from someone close.
So here are some examples of prevalent hurtful questions to AVOID asking a World Racer:
1. What about _______?
That blank can be filled in with anything under the sun. What about your job? What about school? What about your church? What about the youth? What about your family? What about your bf/gf? Usually it’s followed with, “is it fair to them?” God called us. The way He calls each World Racer is different, but He calls each of us. And if we are to believe the Bible, believe His word, then we must come to terms that He has our best interest at heart and knows what He is doing. The things we are leaving behind are important to us, but God is most important, and we are being obedient.
2. Why can’t you do missions here? Why do you have to go to other countries?
Every place needs God. Every place is fighting darkness and the devil’s schemes. The United States is no exception. However, a missionary goes where God calls. He leads. We are going where we feel God is telling us to go. Think of a teacher. There are teachers for 1st graders and teachers for 12th graders. They are specialized to educate that SPECIFIC age. If you flipped them, they would manage, but they wouldn’t be fully utilizing their gifts because that’s not where they are supposed to be. At this time, each of the 11 countries is where we are supposed to be because there are people waiting for us personally, and God needs us to use us specifically to show His glory to them.
3. Why do you need me to donate money? Shouldn’t you pay for it?
I have not heard one of my squad-mates say, “I can’t wait to get people’s money.” It’s the exact opposite actually. It’s completely out of our comfort zones to have to ask other’s to take their money and support us. If we could pay our own way, I have no doubt we would in an instant. But requiring us to raise funds is God’s first way of having us trust Him and rely on His source not our own. Christianity is a community and the church was intended to be there for one another. Fundraising is how that community is kept alive. It brings our home community into every country we go to. I trust God and the relationships he has built in my life. We are grateful for every single penny that someone donates to us, because without it, this desire in our heart cannot come to fruition.
I want to leave you with some helpful questions to keep in mind when talking to a World Racer:
1. What led you to apply for the World Race?
2. What is something you are excited to see happen on the World Race?
3. What is something you are afraid of?
4. How can I support you?
PLEASE ask questions. PLEASE be interested in our journey. PLEASE pray for us. Yes, we don’t leave to the World Race for months, but the World Race is on our mind every day, and we need you to get us there. So ask away!
