“I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good old days before you’ve actually left them” – Andy Bernard, the Office
Today was Thanksgiving. Today was also my last day of ministry with the World Race. As I walked away from ministry I thought about the past two years of my life and I was overcome with gratitude. I honestly don’t have many thoughts to articulate about how I’m feeling. I’m grateful. I’m so grateful to have lived in different communities around the world—to have been thousands of miles from home, to have lived in community with believers who don’t speak the same language, to have worshipped in houses in India and Swaziland, and to have built relationships in Thailand and Costa Rica. But now, I’m also so grateful to be coming home. God has taken me around the world, but the most beautiful part might be in His bringing me home. This honestly sucks, and I’m sad. I said goodbye to so many friends this week, many of whom I’ll never see again on this side of the Gates. But home has also been the longing of my heart for a long time and now that ache is being fulfilled.
These have been my good old days. These are the days I will remember when I’m old. But I want to live every chapter of my life as if they were my good old days because one day they will be. Yes, the World Race was a beautiful experience. But it isn’t meant to be everything. It’s a launching point into the rest of your life—into your next good old days. So, I’m mourning this season. But I’m also rejoicing in it’s completion and looking eagerly at what is to come.
If I’ve still got your attention, here are some photo highlights from the past two years. These are the people that made the World Race beautiful, these are the things that I’ll remember.
Swimming with Bee and Will in the most beautiful lake in the world—Lake Atitlan, I remember you.
Eating beans and rice on the beach, sleeping under the stars. Thanks for changing the way I see adventure, Bee.
We hiked that volcano. And we watched another volcano erupt.
Drinking Pepsi in a bag, maybe doin’ some street evangelism. Caleb, made a huge impact on my Race and is a large reason that I came back to Team Lead. Thank you for your yes.
Nick, remember when I drew a tattoo for you and we walked the backstreets of Myanmar to find a tattoo parlor in some guys back room. Good times.
Joe and Ethan, remember our epic showdowns in Catan? You would win some, I would almost win some.
The first seminar I ever led. Me and Joe walking the squad through the stories, characters, and artifacts of every Marvel movie in preparation for Endgame.
Noah and Blake, remember getting shredded off our homemade benchpress and diet of eggs and Score energy drinks?
Thanks for a wild time B.o.B.
The women that I’m Team Leading with—people with pure hearts and deep capacities for joy. Thanks for a great three months.
Justin Baby in the Jungles of Talamanca. Justin is one of the most intentional people I’ve ever met. He sees everyone in the room and is consistently led to action by his compassion.
Enos—the jungle man in his natural element. Nathanael has been my running buddy for the past three months. We run and talk about faith and theology, life and it’s questions. Nathanael walks in wisdom, humility, and discipline. He speaks truth in love.
Socks and Chacs w/ Brandon Muñoz. Brandon is a man with a heart for the forgotten. He’s a man of conviction who changes the atmosphere of the rooms he enters. He has a kindness that encourages kindness in others.
A couple of proud dads. His name is Nathan, we call him Guapo. Nathan carries authority and influence, and he stewards them well. He has an awareness for people around him and is bold in his faith.
You guys have made it a privilege to be here. Thank you for making it hard to leave.
