January 2017: Strolling along the path at the mission house in Cap-Haitien thousands of miles away and without many of the comforts of home, I felt surrounded by complete peace. I hadn’t felt this peace in a while. The months preceding my second trip to Haiti had been trying to say the least. Anxiety over close family members with ill health, the holidays, and stress preparing for the trip had all been dragging me down. I was afraid to let it all go and leave it behind wondering what would happen while I was gone.
That moment I stepped foot in Haiti, when I climbed down the stairs onto the tarmac, lifted my eyes and saw the mountains staring back at me, I knew. This is where I’m supposed to be. Serving people in remote communities, treating their physical ailments and praying with them is a privilege. What seems like a small act to us can touch a life forever. Back at the mission house, walking the path, processing the day, I had a thought. “How is it possible I can have so much peace amid what’s been going on at home, in my own heart, and in this city that is anything but calm? Perhaps God is showing me that letting go can bring fulfillment.”
February 2017: A group of friends gathered around the TV with plates and hearts full to the brim with snacks and anticipation. Hopes were tested as we watched our New England Patriots trail behind the Atlanta Falcons 28-3 during the third quarter. On a commercial break and after refilling my bowl of chili, I shared some experiences from my recent mission trip to Haiti with a friend. I remember saying that I’d like to continue pursuing short-term mission trips but didn’t know where to look for other opportunities. The fourth quarter again grabbed our attention as the Patriots scored and scored again unanswered by the Falcons tying it up 28-28. Overtime had those who weren’t pacing sitting forward in their seats, hands clenched, eyes bulging out at the screen. We jumped and screamed, hearts pounding to the beat of victory as our team scored the winning touchdown in overtime.
As the dust settled and our triumph set in, we gathered our coats and made our way to the door. This is the moment, the moment my life was changed at a Super Bowl Party. A mutual friend of the hosts approached me. She apologized for overhearing my conversation about Haiti earlier then told me I should “check out this thing called The World Race.” She explained that it was a mission trip where you travel around the world for a year. She knew someone who had done it, and it changed their life. I thanked her and told her I would look into it. We parted ways. During the hour-long drive home I could not get The World Race off my mind. What an adventure, I thought. I lay in my bed that night awake past my usual bedtime reading about it on my phone. It seemed so exciting and scary at the same time. I thought back to that moment in Haiti just a few weeks prior. Maybe this is it? This is what I’m supposed to do.
The in-between: Ultimately, I came up with a laundry list of excuses why The World Race wasn’t right for me. It wasn’t the right time, what about my job, I don’t even know what they do the whole time and so on. It didn’t go away, though. That feeling, the finger prodding at my heart, the itchy restlessness that this current season of my life is coming to an end. The World Race didn’t go away either. I had never heard of it before that night at the Super Bowl party, but since then it had been playing on repeat. Seeing a backpack made me think of it. The World Race blog links kept popping up in my social media. Other friends would mention it in casual conversation. It all brought me back to that moment when I felt the initial tug. After fighting this inside myself for about a year, and after another growing journey to Haiti and back, it all came to a head.
January 2018: I heard about a friend of a friend who was all signed up to go on The World Race in January 2019. As I listened to this person’s exciting news, I heard a voice that said, “that could be you, you’re missing out.” It was no longer a tug, prod, or itch. I felt a thump hit my chest, not unlike the hits my team took during Super Bowl LI. This was my third quarter moment, this was my chance to turn it around. It wasn’t too late. I avoided it way too long already. My comeback started the moment I decided to submit an application for The World Race. I’d like to say that decision came easily after the tackle, but I wrestled and prayed a couple of days before submitting to the Lord. I had to let my fears and anxieties go.
Super Bowl LI was a win-win for me. The Patriots took home the Vince Lombardi Trophy, and I learned about The World Race. What’s holding you back from pursuing your calling?
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