What do I do to get ready for 11 months of living out of a backpack? This is a question that many a racer has asked his or her self. It’s a hard concept to fathom – living and traveling with 40 other people for nearly a year. You, future Racer, will, if not already, have moments where you feel unprepared and at a loss of what do. Well have no fear. I am here to tell you everything you need to know to get ready for a journey of a lifetime.
The truth is there is very little you can do to prepare yourself for this radically different lifestyle. True there are some practical things you can do. You could read books about missionaries and the countries you are going to visit. You can study the languages and learn how to count. You can learn metric measurement and Fahrenheit/Celsius conversions. You can read as many blogs as you can. (That’s how you stumbled upon this, right?) You can even learn all the uses for tea tree oil and how to hand wash clothes.
Now I am not saying not to do these things. In reality, these are all quite useful, and I actually regret not doing some of these things. I wish I had realized I was not going to have to “rough it” like I thought I would. (Seriously. I’ve only slept on my sleeping pad one month and have yet to use an outhouse. Although, some have gotten much more experience in these areas.) I wish I had gotten to know my squad and trainers better at the beginning (i.e. training camp) and not waited until a few months in to truly invest in my team not just the ministry. Yes, I have learned a lot along the way and would have approached things completely differently if I could restart the process.
Whatever you do to prepare, it won’t be enough. So don’t try too hard. Rather, pray constantly. Seek what the Lord would have for you in this next season. Listen to his voice above all. And have others join you in this. Build up a team at home that will support you along the way that you know that you can come to when needing support, prayer, and assurance.
In following the Lord, let him give you expectations and throw out yours. A lot will happen that you do not expect or want. You are changing your lifestyle. You will have to continuously be with the same people 24 hours a day 7 days a week for the next 11 months. All your expectations will not be met. You may not get the team you wanted or the ministry contact of your dreams. Your route may even change, and you end up visiting less than half of those that were on your route originally. Even if you do not think you have them, they are there deep inside. People will fail you, but God never will. So as you prepare for this grand adventure turn to him more than you ever have. He is the only source of true preparation for the World Race.
Waiting for an early morning bus in Malaysia
