Today is the last full day of launch. Tomorrow morning I’m headed to the airport and going to be headed to Spain. I’ve been here at launch for a few days now and so much is happening that some of it is honestly a blur and needing to be further processed but one thing is for sure. I’ve had to say my hardest goodbye here.
Our parents and siblings are all allowed to experience some of launch together with us. When I say launch what I mean is this big event that Adventures puts on for all of us racers before we leave the country for a final training and nailing down of details.
However much of the time, I knew my parents were here and I am here but we were doing different things. For example my parents would have a Q&A about the World Race I’m going on where they could ask all the important questions about insurance or contacting me in a pinch and the good people here would ease their mind explaining to them the processes they have laid out for those sorts of things that are more nuanced than I’m prepared to extrapolate on. Meanwhile, I’d be doing worship training or learning more initial details about our squad’s time on El Camino.
It could be a little distracting to the training to me if I let it, but what was awesome was we did have some time together at the end of the first official day here worshiping together and with an amazing message about how the Holy Spirit changes us and will change us over the course of this year (my squad came a day early for extra training) . My parents can expect a different Daniel when I return, and I know they won’t be the same when I get back. God works on our hearts, and is constantly transforming us to bear His image more fully.
I prayed with my parents and my brother David. It was meaningful to me that I was able to do at least that!
The next day final goodbyes were set for lunch. I had so much anticipation about the whole thing! Thankfully awesome people on my squad and leadership saw this in me and prayed over me. I needed that because I really thought lunch with my family one last time was going to be super difficult.
The prayers worked! It went better than I thought possible. I laughed with my mom and got to introduce her to squad and team mates. My brother and I got to joke around a little. My dad and step mom had a blast joking with me about this boiled egg I managed to forget I was cooking. What was awesome though is I got to say what needed to be said to each of them before I left for this journey. I love you.
It’s hard leaving them, but I’m comforted in that God goes with me and I have family here too. My squad has already shown me so much compassion when I needed it most. I love how God shows up when you call on Him!
Psalms 145:18
“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”
Family Pictures:
Camino Family – AKA Joy Riders on a Dolly:
God bless,
- Daniel
