I have been many places and seen many things in the last 11 months.
I witnessed a parade in San Jose, Costa Rica to celebrate Costa Rican independence.
I preached a message of hope in the middle of a garbage dump where people scavenge for a living in Nicaragua. (Photo from Bee Davis.)
I learned how to mix cement by hand in Honduras. (Photo from Bee Davis.)
I ushered in the New Year while watching the sky light up with fireworks over Manila in the Philippines.
I spent the night on top of a mountain in Vietnam. (Photo from Luke Sherron.)
I visited the ancient temple complex of Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
In Malaysia I took a selfie with the Pahang (one of the Malaysian states) U19 soccer team. And Kody.
In Singapore I attended church in the largest auditorium I have ever seen, much less been in.
In Thailand I was baptized to make a public profession of my faith in Jesus Christ with my squad, my family, to witness. Also I played with elephants. It was a good month. (Photos from Bee Davis and Elephant Jungle Sanctuary.)
I saw my friend and teammate Zack practice his skills as a butcher in Zimbabwe. And then I ate part of the goat. (Photo from Jamie Baxley.)
In Zambia I met Rama, a wonderful man and painter who created this painting for me.
In Malawi I watched the sun set, both literally and metaphorically, on my World Race journey.
And just a few days ago I was reunited with the rest of my face. It was a joyous reunion.
I have been many places and seen many things in the last 11 months.
But somehow the strangest of all these things and places is where I am now.
Home.
Home is something I looked forward to with varying degrees of intensity throughout the entire course of the Race. But now that I am here, I do not feel like I am home.
I feel unsettled, out of place, and isolated.
Where is my squad, my family? Why did it have to end so soon? Can we ever go back?
These questions and all the accompanying emotions have been swirling around my mind and heart since landing back in the United States. The transition has been difficult so far and I know there are still more struggles ahead.
But I also know, with every struggle I will face, there is an opportunity to overcome it. And I know God has much for me to gain through my struggles.
James knew it too.
“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” James 1:2-3
I only ask for all of you to have grace and patience with me as I continue to transition back home.
I think part of the reason I don’t feel like I am home is because I was viewing home incorrectly. I thought home was the place.
But home is not a place.
They say home is where the heart is. And I know where my heart is right now.
It is on the beach in Jaco, Costa Rica where I learned to surf with my teammates. (Photo from Bee Davis.)
It is in the little cafe in Granada, Nicaragua where my team took me to watch the Royals play in the World Series.
It is in the large kitchen in Catacamas, Honduras with wonderful acoustics where we played games, worshipped together, and cooked Thanksgiving dinner. (Photo from Bee Davis.)
It is on the basketball court outside of Children’s Garden in Antipolo, Philippines where many games of knock-out were played and many more smiles were seen.
It is on top of a building in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, sitting at a rooftop bar with the men of X-Squad, watching the city lights illuminate the horizon.
It is at BCI International School in Siem Reap, Cambodia with all of the teachers and children who sang and danced with us as we became children again, if only for a little while. (Photo from Mason Smith.)
It is with the wonderful families we met in Kuantan, Malaysia who welcomed us into their homes time after time, heaping kindnesses upon us. (Photo from Krista Orr.)
It is in Mae Sot, Thailand, where God grew my understanding of what worshipping with the church looks like. (Photo from Jamie Baxley.)
It is sitting in the living room of our host family in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe as we eat a delicious home-cooked meal together with stories and laughter to accompany our food. (Photo from Jamie Baxley.)
It is watching the sun set over the Zambezi river in Livingstone, Zambia on my birthday before going out for Indian food with my team.
It is worshipping for the last time as a squad in Cape Maclear, Malawi after a week of celebration of all the Father has done for us in 11 months. (Photo from Rachel Workman.)
So no, I do not feel at home. Not yet.
Because if home is where the heart is, then my home is with the men and women of X-Squad.
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X-Squad,
You will forever hold a special place in my heart. Both collectively and individually. There is no other group of people I would have rather experienced this journey with. You have seen me at my worst, and you have called me to my best. I began the Race with 50 teammates and I ended it with 50 brothers and sisters.
Even as we think about how short a time 11 months truly is to spend with one another, know that it is the time we needed. Just as bread needs a specific heat and time in the oven, so we too have been prepared intentionally. The Race was our oven and 11 months was our time. We do not come home unfinished, nor do we leave the Race burnt out. Instead, we know our faith is being perfected as we fix our eyes upon the Author of that faith.
This family has shown me what the church can be. Just as home is not a place, the church is not a building. The church is people and Jesus. And X-Squad is my church. You have inspired me to pursue my passions and use my gifts. You have shown me that I have more to give than I previously thought. You have taught me to sing my song because the world needs it. You have encouraged me, lifted me up, struggled with me, laughed with me, cried with me, and loved me through more than anyone else will ever know.
I cannot thank you enough, nor can I fully express what you all mean to me.
X-Squad, thank you for following His call. Thank you for loving with daring. Thank you for being Jesus with skin on.
And thank you for making me feel the best feeling in the world when I’m with you:
That I am home.
With much love,
– Drew
(Photo from Abi Thompson.)
