Quick update first: we are in Vietnam! We have been meeting a lot of people already and teaching English at cafes around town. It’s amazing how it seems like almost everyone we talk to has no idea who Jesus is or what Christianity is. It’s 2019 and these people in this country who have technology and social media don’t know about Jesus! believe God has plans to change that so that is why my team and I are trying to do!
God has provided an awesome opportunity in August I am excited to share about it. I will be going back out for another 5 months. I will be doing something called alumni squad leading. This basically a continuation of my growth while at the same time helping new racers grow and continuing missions over seas. I will be a person who has done what they are going to do and help them along the way. I know for myself the race has changed so many things for me. If not for it I probably would be looking at jobs in real estate or doing manual labor and figuring a way to make a career of those things. While there is nothing wrong with those things and I love them I have discovered more out here. I have discovered, first and most importantly, how to let God bring people to me and how to see ministry as a way of life not something you leave the country to do. I have also gotten a chance to dive into what makes me me, the dreams and goals I have when money isn’t an object and seeing a bigger picture than just working a job to pay the bills. I have discovered that I want to work in recovery, my goal is to open my own transition home/discipleship program helping men grow deeper in their walk with God while learning more about the spirit and prayer. I want to one day open a foster home for young men who have no families and try and change the path life has put them on. I want to be an influence in the right direction for a generation of young men that have become lost or confused by what society has defined being a man as. There are so many women and children out there hurting because men have failed to do their jobs. I want to try and help change that and maybe some of them could help change it as well.
None of these things would be apparent or even seem possible to me without the world race. This journey has stretched me and grown me in so many ways that will change my future. I want to go back out to help others walk through this. Not only do I want to help them with that but I want to provide whatever support and love I can as they walk through their own journey of leaving home and growing deeper in their faith. I was not on board at first when I was asked to do this. I honestly didn’t want to do this and wanted to go back home and start making money. I wanted to do the things that are comfortable and easy for me personally. Honestly I miss hot wings and football, my family and friends so much. But following Jesus isn’t about being it comfortable. It’s about surrender. And I really feel that this is what he has for me in my next steps. So I am surrendering to this and believing that big things will come of it. While at the same time I get to continue to grow and learn how to use my voice more and steward the influence he has given me.
So I will be home for one month. I will be working and spending time with my family and friends. I will be leaving on early August and will go to China, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Ethiopia. I am grateful for all of the support I have gotten so far I truly didn’t think this journey would be possible. God totally blew me away the first time I fundraiser for this journey. Now it’s time to ask again. I need $6500 for the journey. That will cover almost everything I need. Any donation will come with a tax write off. You can donate on my blog page and or email me at [email protected] if you have any other questions. Thank you all for your support. I love you!
