It is December 27th, which means both Thanksgiving, and Christmas have gone by. Knowing I wouldn’t get to spend either of those holidays with my family next year, I cherished every moment of these days.
The first month I was signed up for the world race, I was ecstatic, and without worry. As the world race gets closer, I have some days where it really hits me: I’m going to be gone for NINE months, almost a year. I won’t have any of the luxuries of America, or any of my family with me. Christmas day was really one of those days for me. I had mixed emotions about it, because I knew I was going to miss my family next Christmas, but I’m also excited that my launch date is that much closer.
My Aunt had told me a couple weeks ago that her son lives next door to a world race alumni: Kevin Odom, who is going on the world race again, but this time as a squad leader. He got back from the world race 11n11 in November, and will leave again in January. I got in touch with him via Facebook, and we met up today. My Aunt told me that he is timid, and that I should expect him to be shy. When I walked into Tijuana Flats (amazingTex Mex) I was greeted by him. He wasn’t shy at all, he seemed very extroverted, and he had the qualities of a leader. He answered any kinds of questions I had for him, and he gave me any kinds of tips and things I should know. He told me the great things about the world race, like witnessing healing, and ministries, and he told me the not so great things about it, like squatty potties. He said not to have any expectations of what it will be, and just to take it as it is. He told me to just truly have a servant’s heart throughout this trip, because that is what we are there for, to be a servant to others. He said God will do great things on this trip, and that his view of God was radically changed on the world race, and that God is so much bigger and greater than he thought. Kevin was so full of wisdom, and if I could put it plainly, he is the kind of person I hope I will be when I return from the race. After nearly 2 hours spent in Tijuana Flats, he prayed for me and we went our separate ways. I left more on fire and ready to leave for this trip than when I got accepted. Thank you Kevin for reigniting that fire in me.
Visit his blog at kevinodom.theworldrace.org.
