Tonight I’m going to tell you the story of our first World Race God moment.
Monday, quite randomly, I decided to take a personal day from work in order to rearrange my thoughts on World Race. Basically, I was recognizing how much needed to be done and wanted to just make a lengthy list of what all needed to be accomplished. After very little arm twisting, 🙂 Dave, too, decided to take a partial day at work so that we could work on said list together. This ultimately led us to an impromptu trip to a Chicago suburb in order to purchase our gear at REI.
To be perfectly honest, we were in over our heads. We wandered around the store, trying our best to determine what tent, backpacks, sleeping bags sleeping pads, etc would work best for us. While the sales people were very kind and helpful, we found ourselves growing discouraged. Everything was expensive and we weren’t sure exactly what we needed to spend money on and what we could get by with very cheaply. Dave had a look of tired panic on his face and I was trying vainly to make the experience fun.
Throughout this time, a few of the employees at REI asked what we were doing that we need all of this equipment. One of these conversations occurred after we had already been in the store for a solid four hours.
It went something like this:
Sales Lady (we’ll call her Sue): So where are you guys going?
Me: We’re going on an 11 month mission trip to 11 different countries.”
Sue: Oh. Wow, that sounds exciting. Is that through an organization?
Me: Yes, it’s called the World Race. We’re really excited!
Riveting conversation, yes?
At this moment, Jesus walks into the room. He is wearing a red jacket and a ‘GO! Cap and introduces himself as Michael. He’s an alum World Racer, and artist on the “So I Go” spoken word video.
I know God is big and His timing is perfect, but I never expected to see Him in the REI shoe department!
Michael was so excited and his energy and enthusiasm for this work was beyond contagious. He lifted our spirits and reenergized our focus; he reminded us of what we were doing and why, all through the sharing of his experiences and journey.
We felt so blessed to meet Michael and to just hear his encouragement and support. He was willing to be a wealth of information for us and patiently answered endless questions about gear and preparation and what to pack and what we were going to experience and words of advice. Phew!
God is good. He knows our every thought, and He, in His infinite wisdom, knew we needed Michael. We needed that encouragement and that boost of strength at this time when the going was getting tough. We needed to see the face of a man who couldn’t stop smiling as He shared God’s goodness and His plans for him.
Michael proved to be a wealth of information. He provided us with insight and reminded us that this journey is meant for us. We were not accepted to the World Race by chance and we needed to be reminded of that.
Then he came out of the blue and completely surprised us. He wanted to bless us on our journey by giving Dave his backpack. “It’s no big deal,” he shared. He wasn’t using it anyway. What?! We were speechless and totally humbled by this stranger’s generosity. We were led to the home of Michael’s mother and then to his sister’s. There we met some of the kindest people I have encountered. They were not surprised by Michael’s generosity but warmly brought us into their homes while he found the item.
Dave and I were overwhelmed. We needed support and we were given it. We needed encouragement and here was encouragement in abundance! Meeting Michael was not a coincidence, and we all knew it. As we summed up the evening to head home, we were blessed again by Michael’s offer to pray with us.
Nothing happens by chance. Some of the small “coincidences” are God’s handiwork, and we are romanced by Him through these moments.
My biggest lesson out of our adventure Monday night? God is good. He is so, SO GOOD!!
ps. Want to know more about Michael? Check out his website!!!
