I have been off the World Race for over two months now. Though I’ve been done, that doesn’t necessarily mean that I have been home. Since being home I have been to 12 different states, and three other countries. After having been constantly on the move for the last two years, it only seemed fitting that this is the life I lived for my welcome back into the United States.
Within the last two months there has been a common theme everywhere I end up. No matter if I see friends from Oregon, Arizona, or my world race friends from around the country.
“Where are you off to next?”
Every time it was asked I was caught a little off guard. Not because they were asking about the step in my life, but it was because the implications that came along with the wording. Instead of thinking I would end up staying at home, they all assumed I would be off to the next place serving the Lord wherever he led me.
As I sat with the Lord on this, he revealed some really cool things to me. The biggest of which being that people see me joining people in their journey, and pushing them to their highest potential. People see that, and expect me to follow it instead of chasing after the American dream.
All of which is true. Instead of chasing after working my way up the ladder in corporate America, I am following a call that the Lord has placed on my heart since junior year of high school.
AFRICA
Yes. Africa.
More specifically, The Kingdom of eSwatini (formerly known as Swaziland).
As you all know, the last two years I have been a part of the World Race. I have encountered over 20 different cultures and countries, but the last country of the two year world-tour quickly held a very special place in my heart.
The people. The culture. The sunsets. The simpleness of life. The hosts/base staff.
All of these things were part of why I loved it so much. At the time I loved it, but didn’t imagine it would be my next step. About a month into living in the middle of cane sugar fields I asked the Lord what was next. A few things had come up but nothing really stuck out. Nothing that I truly felt like the Lord was leading me to.
Then one of my good friends, and host in eSwatini, asked me to consider joining him and his wife in hosting and discipling Gap year racers.
This felt right.
I never admitted it, but it felt so right instantly.
After months of praying and getting some details worked out it has become official!
This coming February (tentatively) I will be moving to The Kingdom of eSwatini, for the next two years, to partner with Adventures in Missions in working with GAP year racers and dealing with finances in the Nsoko region.
This is a BIG step. A step that scares me, but I know it is where the Lord is calling me.
I loved being a part of the World Race Gap Year, and my season being a squad leader only confirmed so many of the giftings that the Lord has given me. It was in this season that I became confident in my self, my leadership, and my authority. It is because of these things, that I am even more excited to be in the space of Gap year racers once again for three months at a time. I will have the joy of coming alongside them, discipling them, loving them, and speaking truth into their lives.
This is a season I am excited for. It is 6ish months away, but I already know the Lord is going to be doing big things while I’m fulfilling my dream of living in Africa.
With a new position comes a new blog. So this will be my last blog on the world race account, but you will see one from myadventures very soon! (calebcallaway.myadventures.org)
Also with a new role comes new fundraising goals, except this time it will look a little different.
This time, instead of fundraising a specific amount for a program that I am apart of I WILL BE FUNDRAISING MY SALARY. My finances will be my own responsibility instead of letting a program, and the organization, deal with all of it. With this in mind, fundraising a salary works a little different. Instead of asking for one time donations, I will be looking for people to partner with me monthly. This does not mean that I will turn down one-time donations, but in the long run I am looking for a team to come alongside me and my work with Adventures in Missions in eSwatini.
With that in mind here is my fundraising breakdown:
$30,000 per year
OR
$2,500 per month
I also have a fundraising bar set up for setup costs, which is probably the amount that will pop up on my blog initially. This amount will go towards plane tickets to and from eSwatini, as well as money to setup my living space. This amount is $3,870.
Once the setup amount is filled the salary amount will pop up, but it is all going directly towards my partnership with Adventures in Missions in eSwatini.
I know this could be pretty big news, with a lot of details all at the same time, but I plan on blogging a few more times and sending out letters to start building my team of supporters and senders.
I couldn’t have done these past two years without you guys and I know I won’t be able to make it through Swaziland without you as well. Thanks for being my prayer warriors and encouragers. It’s felt more than you will ever understand.
Can’t wait to share this journey with you all.
In Him,
Caleb
