This will be the first of many blogs written from the Adventures in Missions base in Gainesville, Georgia! I’ve been here for just over a month and have been trying to keep up with the quick pace of life ever since. After a week and a half of leader training, we welcomed 110 racers who quickly pitched their tents and dove right into learning what it means to be a world racer: through pursuing deep intimacy with Jesus, cultivating genuine community within each other, and living a life that models the Great Commission that Jesus gave in Matthew 28:18-20 “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” I am so excited to share with you the incredible ways the Lord has already been moving here, and can’t wait to continue to let you into my life as a team leader here as the weeks go on.
So, without further ado, I’d like to introduce you to the 5 reasons I’m (still) not in college:
1. SIERRA — Blackshear, Georgia
Her teammates describe her as: Gentle Warrior, Wise, Bright, Joyful, Mighty
If your hometown was a food, what food would it be?
FRIED CHICKEN.
What’s your go-to song to sing at karaoke night?
Fergalicious or Ice Ice Baby.
Fill in the blanks. “Strangers would describe me as ____. Only I know that I am ____.”
Strangers would describe me as tiny! But only I know that I am mighty!
Tell me something (just one thing!) you hope to take away from your 9 months on the Race.
I want to learn what it TRULY means to deny myself, take up my cross, and follow Jesus. Full abandon from the things of this world so ONLY His freedom is left!
2. ELINA — Colorado Springs, Colorado
Her teammates describe her as: Intentional, Adventurous, Abundant, Selfless, Attentive
What’s the worst hair decision you’ve ever made?
The worst hair decision I’ve made was in 4th-grade. Adolescent me, deciding that I wanted to fully embody my tomboy-ness and cut all of my hair off into a pixie cut. I DEFINITELY looked like a little boy (like actually looked like a boy, strangers referred to me as ‘He’ because I only wore boy clothes).
What makes you feel most alive?
I feel most alive when I am helping or serving others for a bigger purpose, but only when that service is a complete outcome/overflow of my love for Jesus.
When’s the last time you surprised yourself?
I mean truthfully, the last time I surprised myself was when I came here to this really slow pace of life that I’m not used to and God completely smacked me in the face with the fact that I have so much more growth and learning to do. Just got humbled in the best way. And it surprised me.
Tell me something (just one thing!) you hope to take away from your 9 months on the Race.
I hope to take away the knowledge and understanding of a diversity of people, cultures, and stories that I don’t see in my everyday life. I hope to come out of the other side humbled, cultured, and having gained a lot of wisdom.
3. TAYLOR — Cumming, Georgia
Her teammates describe her as: Intentional, Caring, Eager, Considerate, Open-minded
What’s your worst pet-related story?
One time in middle school, I walked into my room to see a dead bunny. The story was– before my Aussie passed away, he’d bring me the animals he’d catch in the backyard. Sounds weird, but it was out of respect for me. My lil doggo loved me so much he’d bring me his backyard “catches.”
What’s one thing from your bucket list that you just can’t wait to check off?
Attending a hot air balloon festival! Could you imagine?!
What is one characteristic of God that He’s teaching you about right now?
Patience!! One of the Fruits of the Spirit I always thought I was the strongest at… Is now one of my weakest. Looking at it now, it’s cool to see that the Lord is teaching me that I will always need to rely on Him for that patience. No earthly patience will ever be enough, only His will.
Tell me something (just one thing!) you hope to take away from your 9 months on the Race.
Maybe the most stereotypical answer, but I’m excited to see my faith in God grow. Eli said the other day that “We are all children of the Lord. We are and never will be adults.” As Christians, we will never come to a point where we can shake off our hands and say ‘I’m done. I made it to the finish line!’” There is always something to learn from Him and so much room to grow. That in itself excites me!
4. KATIE — Portland, Maine
Her teammates describe her as: Peacemaker, Tender-hearted, Gentle, Genuine, A Good Listener
If you could pick one color to describe your personality, what would it be and why?
A pastel blue. I would say I am calm but also vibrant and bright.
What’s the most awkward thing that happens to you on a regular basis?
I am so clumsy and have fallen way too many times since being here in Gainesville.
What’s something others wouldn’t guess about you just by looking at you?
I love to travel and want to live all over the world. My best friend and I have always dreamed of living together in Hawaii.
Tell me something (just one thing!) you hope to take away from your 9 months on the Race.
I hope to grow confident and bold in who the Lord has created me to be. I hope to grow in my identity and to be able to pour into the lives of others around me.
5. ELLIE (Eli) — Denver, Colorado
Her teammates describe her as: Gregarious, Spirited, Grounded, Strong, Passionate
If you could pick any character from a TV show and pair them with any character from a book for a whole new story, who would you put together?
Mr. Mosby from the Suite Life of Zack and Cody and Judas from the Bible.
What’s your go-to fast food restaurant and order?
Taco Bell. Crunchwrap supreme with beans instead of beef, large Baja blast, and a 4 pack of Cinnabon delights.
If your life was a book, what would you call this chapter?
“Running into Open Air (with crunchy laundry)”
Tell me something (just one thing!) you hope to take away from your 9 months on the Race.
I hope to be fully walking in the freedom of the Kingdom.
Well, that’s my team! A team of women who love each other out of the overflow of the love Jesus has for them. A team of women who fight for each other, who cry with each other, who laugh with each other, and who eat a TON of nutty buttys with each other. A team of women I’m honored to lead and blessed to do life with. They’re a ton of fun.
I’m linking each of their blogs below! If you’re looking to follow along with what the Lord’s doing in each of their lives, I’d encourage you to subscribe! Maybe to all of them, maybe to the one who has the same Taco Bell order as you, or the one who would sing the same song at karaoke as you. They’re all equally great, and some of them are actually still fundraising! If you’re desiring to support any of them financially, you can click the button to donate on their own personal blog!
www.elliezeller.theworldrace.org
www.katielederer.theworldrace.org
www.taylortheobald.theworldrace.org
www.elinalandin.theworldrace.org
www.sierrastrickland.theworldrace.org
I hope this gave you a glimpse of the incredible women I get to call teammates! I wish I could put into words just how thankful I am to be here. It’s a really, really sweet life I get the privilege to live.
In His love,
Caroline 🙂
