…to quote one of my (Bethany) favorite books.
Derek and I are ecstatic about this opportunity, but first, just a couple of clarifying points.
1. This is NOT the Tv show, the Amazing Race. We are going on something much more amazing, and if you keep reading you’ll learn why.
2. We are leaving in August 2017, so we are still stateside for a little bit.
3. Yes I will be taking some time off from news, and Derek will take time away from his job at Goodwill. We are very open to God’s plan for after the race, so in 2018 we will know more!
Ok, top 3 questions answered so far. So, Derek and I just want to share our story about how we became racers.
It was May 2016, and I had just resigned for my second year at WBBJ in Jackson, TN. We both were feeling empty though, like there was something more we wanted to be able to do with our lives. We got married and prayed we could use our marriage to help change the world, and after a year and a few months we were going a little stir crazy. (Derek and I move at quick speeds lol)
I had heard about the World Race during my high school years, and wanted to get involved, but I was young at the time and it went back into my archives. Then some of my friends were college started fundraising for the World Race and it re-perked my interest.
Then, in such a God-wink way, one of my producers at the TV station I work at mentioned she had applied before and gotten accepted. I said, “Ok God, I see your wink, I’ll talk to Derek.”
That night I went home and sent the link. We both then proceeded to take the quiz to see if we had what it took to be a racer, read a million blogs about being married on the race, applying, packing, traveling, all of it.
We were immediately in love. And this was the first missions opportunity that we both felt like we were being called to.
We were contacted by the World Race and we were able to get answers fairly quickly, but we weren’t going to be able to apply until early August.
So we prayed.
And waited.
And prayed some more.
We decided to share our potential plans with family, and a few of our close friends.
Then we prayed some more.
This entire summer was like waiting in line for a brand new roller-coaster. Just inching to get to the front of the line to see what the ride looked like.
Ladies from my summer Bible Study surrounded us with prayer, and we continued to seek Papa and His will.
Then August FINALLY CAME! I’m a go-getter, efficient, do everything all at once kind of gal. Derek is definitely much more patient, and likes to think things through. We picked out a route we wanted to apply for, applied, and guess what we did.
We waited. And prayed. And waited.
The admissions staff were going to be at a training camp for about two weeks.
Papa seriously is trying to teach us something.
Over the next month we had separate phone interviews, asking different questions.
I was asked a lot about our marriage, what our strengths and weaknesses were, and how we are working to grow closer to Papa and each other.
Derek was asked a lot about his spiritual life and struggles, and how he works through that to lead our family.
I guess about a week later we got an email asking to set up a time when we could both talk. We had no idea what would happen.
We didn’t really sleep, but after a lot of prayer for the past few months, we knew if we were accepted, we were going, and if not, God had something better for us planned.
Then the phone call came. I was driving back to Jackson from Paris, TN about a story, and Derek was on his lunch break.
Good news! WE WERE ACCEPTED TO BE WORLD RACERS!
But we were not accepted on the route we applied for. And to be honest it hit us like a ton of bricks.
What? God I thought this is where we supposed to go?
But something Derek and I are already seeing so much of, He has such bigger plans.
We were told we could pick another route, and we may be moved later on. We had already picked a back up route before, so we made the switch.
It’s still really hard to describe. We weren’t mad or upset. Not even disappointed.
And it is a lot to process. We are taking a year off from careers and life to serve 11 different countries. In 11 months. And to be completely and totally changed by Papa.
Once we were confirmed for our new route we moved through the next steps and here we are, almost 5 months later.
We are so excited to share this with y’all, and will keep you updated as we learn more.
In the next week or so I’ll publish more about the countries we will be going to, explaining the race a little bit more!
Derek and I ask that you begin to come alongside us support us in any way that can. We believe God will do amazing things through us for His Kingdom and glory, and would love to share that with y’all.
If there is anything you want us to talk about, just comment and ask! We love interaction and response.
Until then, may the Lord be with you, may the Lord Lift His countenance upon you, His grace shine upon you and give you peace.
Love,
The Damerons
