I’ve already had a ton of folks ask me, “Dusty, what’s the hardest thing about being on the race?” The usual response you'll get from most of us is something about being away from family and friends. And yes, that’s true, but I feel like that’s the “default” answer. Of course, nobody wants to be away from everything they’ve ever known for 11 months. The day I left for the race was hands down one of the most emotional days of my life. I cried like a stinkin’ baby the entire day. I squalled like a "mashed cat." I mean big alligator sized tears. It wasn’t a pretty site.
So I try not to use that as an answer, because that’s a given. The answer that I usually give folks is something about how hard it is meeting new people, finally feeling like you’ve been allowed into their lives, only to be ripped away to another country to do exactly what you just spent the last 4 weeks of your life doing. It can be very draining.
For some people on my squad, and I’m sure some of you reading this. You’re an introvert to the max! There isn’t anything wrong with it, you’re just quiet and you don’t find being around new people and places something that brings you energy. You gotta rest up for 3 or 4 days before you’re gonna be around a large group of people or even have company over… (Shout out to Suzo :-), Haha). That's not Dusty Dills though. I myself believe I’m completely opposite and an extrovert to the highest degree possible. I love people, meeting and making new friends, and going new places. I don’t ever meet a stranger and never have. It’s something I get honest from Mama and Nanny, and it’s probably one of my favorite things about myself. It doesn’t take much time at all before I’ve hit it off really well with the majority of people.
This year however, has been an emotional roller coaster as far as that goes. A lot of people are still unfazed by the fact that we have to say “goodbye” at the end of every month. They make friends, but don’t become so attached that it hurts to leave. And I had my faze with that as well. It was really tough the first 2 or 3 months. Leaving new friends and faces, but then the middle part of the race just makes you “numb” to it all. However, the longer I've been on the field, for me at least, it's started to set back in and made leaving even more difficult.
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Wednesday morning when I woke up, I had just dreamed that I was leaving the race and we were all headed home. And for the first time, the thought of going home and being done with the race made me anxious. I was so sad when I awoke that it made me sick to my stomach. Leaving all my squad mates and this life behind, and moving on is so bittersweet to think about right now. And on top of all that, I’m not looking forward to leaving our ministry here in Nicaragua, either. I’ve really grown to love the ministry here and all the great people. Specifically one of the guys named, Jonhy. We’ve become pretty close, pretty quickly. I feel like he’s the reason the Lord has me here this month. I love that kid. We’ve been able to have some incredible and in-depth conversations this month. So I’m really not looking forward to saying “goodbye” on Monday morning. My goal for the next several days is to make every attempt possible to pour into his life.
Also, Wednesday, we were at the old folks home for the last time. It was great, but the entire time I had the looming reminder that we were leaving in a couple hours, and wouldn’t be back. My heart broke for them because most their families don’t want the responsibility, so they take them to the nursing home, say they found them on the street, and then just leave them there, never to visit again. It breaks my heart. Being able to go in and share Christ’s love with them though, even for only a few days, was incredible. As I walked out I thought, “Will I ever see little Jose’ or Gladys again?” I can only trust the Lord with that though and pray that they know Jesus, because if they do, I WILL see them again.
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As we prepare to leave month 11 of the World Race and head home soon, I have to keep reminding myself of Gods promise. I WILL see most of these folks again. Maybe not this side of Heaven, but in eternity. How incredible is that? It leaves me wanting more of Jesus and keeps reminding me, this world is not our home.
Monday, July 23rd, we’ll board a bus at 8am to Costa Rica for our final debriefing, and there we’ll be with our entire squad until Saturday, July 28th. Then our squad will say our “goodbyes” and go our separate ways.
Z-SQUAD'S RACE WILL OFFICIALLY BE OVER
&
WE'LL WRAP UP THE 1st GENERATION OF WORLD RACERS!
Some folks will get home on the 28th or 29th, and others not until the 4th or 5th of August. I myself won’t actually get to Franklin until Sunday, August 5th… Only 16 days from now…
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Two days ago as I walked back from the old folks home, it hit me. Life really is so short and we must cherish every waking moment, because it doesn’t last long. This world is temporary, but praise God, Heaven is eternal! That’s the hope we’ve got to continue to cling too, especially in times like these. The cool thing is if you’re in Christ, “goodbye” doesn’t exist. In Christ it’s, “We’ll see you after while.” And that’s a promise.
Love y’all.
