In light of my recent changes of circumstance regarding the World Race, I wanted to address a few things as directly as I can. Some of these are actual questions I’ve gotten from friends and supporters, while some are just ones I’ve thought about on my own for the past week and had to figure out the answers. Here goes:
(Please note that I do not represent Adventures in Missions. My experience and responses are my own, and may not be the same as past or future racers)
Q. So what happened exactly?
A. Midway through training camp, the AIM staff informed me that I would need to defer my launch for a year. They were not confident that I was ready to be out on the field at this time, and sent me home.
Q. Did they tell you why?
A. Yes. But I’m going to keep that between myself and AIM for now. What’s important is that I know their reasons, so I can address them during the upcoming year.
Q. Did you know this could happen?
A. Yes I did. AIM is 100 % up front that there is a possibility of being sent home. I didn’t exactly expect it to happen to me, but I was very much aware of their policy.
Q. Can you go back/do you even want to?
A. Yes and yes! Assuming I do what I need to do during my time at home, I can join a July 2015 squad. I have every intention of returning to the race when the time comes, and I will do everything that I can to make sure that happens. I’m keeping in mind something a World Race alum told us at training camp: “Work like it depends on you, but trust like it depends on God.”
Q. Are you angry/bitter with the Adventures staff after what happened?
A. No. They had their reasons for their decision, and I understand why they went the way they did. AIM treated me with dignity and they are giving me a chance to return – I am nothing but grateful for that. Am I disappointed? Yes. Discouraged? A little. But not angry and not bitter – that wouldn’t get me anywhere.
Q. Will you have to re-apply or re-interview?
A. No. Assuming everything goes according to plan, once I am officially approved to return, I will join a July 2015 immediately without having to go through the application process. I will go to training camp again with my new squad and everything else about the Race will be the same.
Q. What happens to all of the money you’ve raised so far?
A. Everything in my fundraising account stays where it is – it will be there when I come back, so I won’t be starting at the beginning. A small amount was taken out to cover my plane ticket home from training camp, but that’s it. (For those of you keeping score at home, I am at 70% of my funding).
Q. Do you think it will be hard to watch your squad go on the race without you?
A. Of course it will – I’ve been preparing for the race for about 7 months now. It will be hard not to live vicariously through my squad and forget to live my own life here at home for now, but I love the I Squad and I can’t wait to watch their journeys unfold. They’ve also made it clear that I will always be a part of the squad in spirit, and I know they will always have a place in my heart even when I go on my own race.
Q. Was going to training camp the first time worth it?
A. Absolutely. Yes, training camp was hard, and I did have to leave, but the time I got to spend there were priceless. I learned so many new things, got to know 40 new people who became my family within days, and uncovered some things about myself I need to address. I’ve grown because of training camp and I know I will continue to do so even though my plans have changed.
Q. What are you doing now?
A. For now, I’m back at home in Buffalo – as much as I would love to move to Rochester, where I really feel at home, it’s not financially possible right now, barring some incredible opportunity/miracle, which I’m not counting out 🙂 On the plus side, my church is in Rochester which means I’ll be spending time there and can still stay connected. I’ll begin the search for employment again when my temp job ends in about a month, but other than that, I’m not too sure what else I’ll be doing for the year. This is unfamiliar territory for me, but I know it will provide a good learning experience – I want to stay present where I am and not wish this time away waiting to return to the race.
