I cannot believe that I left to launch for the World Race race today! As the beginning of the race approaches, I have been asked numerous times about how I am feeling about leaving for 11 months and how in the world I am going to fit everything I need into two bags. So here is a post just about all those pre-launch feels.
Prior to leaving for training camp I felt like the enemy was attacking me, especially physically. For example, for about a month I had been getting these welts on my skin and the doctor did not know what they were. Furthermore, all of the medications the doctor put me on did not work. This, among several others factors, caused me to become less than excited about going on the race and at one point I even questioned whether or not I should even be going on the race. However, once I was at training camp, these feelings went away and the Lord assured me that, yes, indeed I was called to go on the race. It was so cool that after I got back those welts that I had completely went away! Ah our God is so so good to us.
Since that time I have been processing through how I feel about leaving the country for 11 months. Two words come to mind: excitement and anticipation. I am genuinely excited about going on the race and all that comes with it. Yes, there will be many hard times and circumstances while I am gone, but I am anticipating all that the Lord is going to do. I have been preparing for this trip for a while and I am to the point where I am just ready to go! When I initially applied for the World Race, I was excited to go serve others and share God’s love with them. Although I am still excited for that, I am now also excited for the personal growth I think I will experience while I am gone. I look forward to growing in my communication skills, conflict resolution (because living with seven people 24/7 leaves plenty of room for conflict), and in my personal relationship with the Lord. I am eager to see the ways in which the Lord works in and around me in this upcoming year.
Though I am mostly excited to leave for the World Race, I would be lying if I said that I didn’t have any fears. One of the fears I have is feeling like what I am doing on the race is unimportant. I like to be efficient and get as much accomplished as possible when I go on mission trips; however, ministry is not simply getting things accomplished for people. Ministry is so much more than that – it is sometimes sitting with people in a coffee shop, holding a child, showing others God’s unconditional love. I have to remind myself that God is in control and He is moving even when I might not “feel” like it. When I shared this fear with my Bible study leader she reminded me that life is not always efficient or productive. Even in my daily life I am often unproductive and this will be no different on the race. This does not mean that what we are doing is unimportant or that the Lord is not moving. I am excited to have my ideas of mission trips and ministry challenged and to see the ways in which God moves.
The second most popular question I have gotten is how in the world am I packing for 11 months?! We are allowed TWO bags for the race – one backpacking backpack and one book bag. AKA not a lot of space! The area I discovered I could save space in is with clothes; however, some of the countries I am going to have average highs in the 90’s and average lows in the 20-30 degree Fahrenheit range. So I have to pack for quite a few climates, but I have been told you can just buy some of the items in-country, which will be helpful. Another tip I have been told is that if you are questioning it, you probably don’t need it! Below is a picture of me with all of my stuff! If you want to learn more about the nitty-gritty of packing check out this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cGwD3g1-Ho)by a former World Racer.
We have arrived at our hotel in Atlanta, Georgia, where we will have a few days of training before leaving for our first country!
As we are about to embark on this journey we would love for you to join us in prayer. Here are some of the ways you can be praying for us:
– Safe travels to launch and to our first ministry locations.
– Open hearts of those we are going to share Jesus with.
– Protection physically, mentally, and spiritually.
– Open hearts and willing spirits with what the Lord asks us to do.
