World Race America: The Second Half
In so many ways this last year was indescribable, but I want to try my best to continue stacking stones to proclaim what the Lord has done!
(Want to read about the first half? Read my blog HERE!)
Find out what I am up to now at the bottom of this blog
California:
Natomas- an opportunity for us, the pioneers of World Race America, to meet and learn from members of the pioneer World Race squad; gardening for an amazing woman who recently had a double lung transplant (read more of her story HERE), intercession in Sacramento, met up with a squad mate, participated in an improv comedy night with our host, had a sweet and long over-due reunion with one of my teammates from my Race, played with a turtle named Shiny Golden, stopped to smell the roses
Redding- the first brief stop with our new teammates! Spent the night at a wonderful faith community, watched the sunset from Bethel’s house of prayer. Intercession and reflection. Marked new beginnings, provision from the Lord
Oregon:
Crater Lake- another chance to stop and smell some metaphorical roses and appreciate the beauty of creation, threw a snowball in July, had a transformative conversation with a man that is homeless
Bend- the two teams finally came together as big team to add on our 4 new teammates, opened space for team discussions; things took a turn for the hard when our teammate badly broke his leg during a game of capture the flag. hospital visits and a tearful goodbye; team-bonding while tubing on the river, house church with the Partridge family, intercession, intercession, intercession; left Oregon with a new team and a new perspective
Washington:
Snohomish- our new team was greeted by our new host with smiles and a challenge into creative worship; door to door evangelism, homeless reach out, community worship and prayer night; an alumni meet-up, coffee tasting and relationship building, nature time— jumping into lakes, hiking, camping, longboarding to the river. The week was so great we convinced our host to jump on the van!
Sammamish- brought the team to my Uncle Dan and Aunt Sybil’s house for a couple days; joined in on their Bible study and had some amazing conversations; outreach, evangelism and exploration in Seattle
Wyoming:
Yellowstone- disconnected from the technologic age and reconnected with the Lord; campsite to campsite evangelism, hosted a worship night at our campsite, met the Rolling Revival which was so encouraging and exciting, saw God move in some crazy ways, we were reminded of His faithfulness while watching Old Faithful
Idaho:
Grand Teton- a drive through God’s show and tell, a chance to follow a hand-drawn map, saying goodbye to a teammate who was moving on to her new season
Tetonia- When people ask my team, “What is one of your favorite stories from WR America?” many of us will answer with the story from here. Radical provision, new friends, a birthday celebration, worship and prayer, physical healing
Colorado:
Berthoud- I was only here for a brief couple of days in which I got to hear the story of our interesting hosts that had been missionaries as well. While I was gone, my team hosted alumni and future racer meet-ups, did evangelism and outreach
Denver- I went to pick up several teammates who were apart from the team for weddings and school. We decided to go to a midday worship session at Upperroom’s prayer house. As I walked in, I recognized a woman I had met through another friend back in Texas. A small world but big words from the Lord.
PITSTOP AT HOME– During our time in Oregon, I stepped down as team leader and felt the Lord giving me the okay to spend a week at home to pour into my family and be poured into as well. The week ended up being packed full of friends, family, and the Lord’s faithfulness. He brought my former teammate now friend, Corbyn, up to visit. He re-routed my “squad twin,” Jamie, to the east coast the same week I was at home so we got to hike and catch-up after a year of not seeing each other. He gave me an opportunity to spend quality time with my family.
—My favorite story from this time on my last BLOG—
Leadville- sweet freedom, my home away from home, a road trip within a road trip; divine encounters, rest and rejuvenation, a creative boost, and a chance to watch a thunderstorm roll in and see a gorgeous rainbow— Hallelujah here below!
Monument- met back up with my team to stay at a World Race Landing Zone, shared testimonies, listened and learned from a couple that had the opportunity to find the joy of the Lord during their most intense grief; more Dutch Bros stops and explored Garden of the Gods, learned to bee keep
—— One Long Drive Later——
Missouri:
Springfield- THE ENCOUNTER! the event our team, specifically Carolyn Miller, worked so hard to plan; an amazing and simple start to a movement of God, evangelism and sharing in abundance, expectations of revival, seeds of big dreams being sown; a time of healing, learning to Be Still; coming together as a body of Christ (and getting to see my Linz Marie!)
Illinois:
Quincy- an anticipated arrival to our teammate, Lauren’s, home. Learned life lessons from Grandma, a time or rest, pouring into and being poured into by her family, cats and a spiky cactus conundrum, and a little bit of gun shooting and game playing
During our time in Quincy, we had a chance to pop over to Hannibal, MO to prayer walk and experience the town that Mark Twain knew.
Michigan:
St. Joseph- when “asking the Lord” leads you to a new state and creates new friendships, wish we could have spent more time here because it was a place of peace and beautiful sunsets; spent time in fellowship, worship, and exploring Wanderlust
(Dear Future Racers and outdoor enthusiasts- Check out WANDERLUST outfitters. You won’t regret it)
Benton Harbor- Benton Harbor and St. Joseph are separated by a short bridge, but you would never guess it based on the disparity between these twin cities. During our time in Michigan, we worked alongside a resident of Benton Harbor that is working to bring hope to her neighborhood through a planting a community and a garden, and making improvements that are accessible to those that live there.
Grand Rapids- a reunion with my squamate and an opportunity to meet her lovely family. Rebecca taught me a lot on the Race— how to be still, the joy of deep conversation over a pot of tea, and finding meaningful connection points with someone who seems different than yourself. Enjoying breakfast at her home reminded me of the sweetness of the Lord in our friendship.
Ohio:
Hilliard- a stay at a teammate’s home, amazing hospitality; the place I brought in my 27th year; a time to both mourn and rejoice, simple reminders of the Lord’s love
Columbus- swapping stories and sharing lives over a coffee beverage and a meal with the one and only Anne Kane! A participant from my first Passport team who is absolutely incredible and you should go meet her 😉
Berea- we moved into the house of an alumni and we were quickly welcomed as family; worship, prayer, and time with the Lord were a staple; a flip of the coin led to a fortuitous meeting (aka accidental trespassing proved to be a blessing), evangelism, healing prayers, connection, learning, inviting strangers to become kingdom family, reunions, culinary delights, celebration, and a lot of obstacle courses. A week I will remember for the rest of my life because of the way the Lord showed up and moved.
New York:
Buffalo- While our team was in Ohio my teammate, Lauren, and I got the chance to visit our respective families in the Buffalo area. My time was marked by fellowship with my grandparents, aunt, uncle and cousins, encouragement from my great grandpa, and getting a taste of Southeast Asia by participating in their Karen church.
Ohio (again):
Medina- DEBRIEF a chance to celebrate what the Lord has been doing, to work out a few kinks in the team, to learn from each other, and play battle golf; outreach in the town, worship and prayer, alumni meet-up, walking in the woods with the coolest kids, visiting our hosts from Berea and attending the ribbon-cutting of an amazing new preschool; taking baby steps to pursue what the next
Mantua- this was for just a day of fun with some people we met along the way; gospel conversations, sharing stories and life lessons all while kayaking and experiencing the beauty of nature
Pennsylvania:
Carlisle- The Lord made a way when there was no way and the whole team came together to serve at a Rethink Retirement event. We were challenged to serve and be served by those nearing retirement; a coming together of generations to claim our kingdom inheritance. An amazing several days where faith was activated, hope was on the rise, and we stepped into a deeper level of our kingdom callings. Interested? Check it out here!
(Stopped to visit an old friend on the way to Rethink Retirement. We are!)
Washington, DC:
Because I am absolutely insane, I made the team drive straight from a week of camping in PA to the evening service at my church, Grace Capital City. Our slightly disheveled appearance, the Chacos and Crocs, and the large group entering at once was apparently a dead-giveaway that we were Racers. It was a really cool opportunity to meet fellow alumni in the church, to pray over others and receive prayer, and to learn together more about hearing the voice of the Lord.
A couple days into our stay at my house, I brought the team back into DC for a prayer walk through the White House! It was so incredible. Teammates exchanging hugs with Secret Service members, sharing about the Lord, praying in a room just an hour before a press conference was held there, divine meeting at monuments, an integral time for our nation and an integral time to intercede on its behalf.
Virginia:
Fairfax- brought the team to my house to meet my parents 😉 packed the few short days with adventure time with Zoe (including geocaching and an autumn water balloon fight), exploration of DC and the White House, a “leisurely afternoon stroll” (okay, sorry, I undersold it). A crazy moment of my worlds colliding- team, friends and family gathered together-WILD
Maryland:
Great Falls- Billy Goat A- the “leisurely afternoon stroll;” had an opportunity to bond through the struggle, a refreshing jump into the Potomac, and evangelism on the trail
There were a few times during the year where I broke off from the team for “extracurricular ministry.” This was one of them:
Charlotte, NC. Gainesville, GA. Max Patch, NC. Great Smoky Mountains, TN.
Over the course of several days, Lauren and I had the opportunity to travel through North Carolina and Georgia on a mission, and meet back up with our team in Tennessee. Our mission was this- pick up two WRA teammates that had since left the field in NC. Drop off a friend that had come to visit us in DC back in GA. Attend a wedding of one of my former Passporters from my Africa team. Rejoin the team in TN with the added members. Have a lot of fun while following the Lord along the way. The time included a boat ride, great fellowship, fighting for gifted relationships, celebrating covenant, hysterical reunion with a few members from my Africa team, encouragement, meeting several WR alum, camping on Max Patch (a fulfilled promise of the Lord), a foggy drive through the Smokies.
“My eye is not on the density of the fog, but on the living God, who controls every circumstance of my life.” -George Mueller
Tennessee:
Chattanooga- met back up with the team, adventure and ice cream with alumni (twice!), evangelism and prayer with strangers on a college campus, prayer over strangers at a fancy hotel, blessings from the Lord, serving and playing at a feeding program, prayer and worship as a team; a special team reunion with all the members of our last team which displayed a miracle of the Lord, a spontaneous sunrise and goodbyes to our visiting teammates
(Team Ghostrider recreating our old photo)
Nashville- serving at Bethel’s worship night in the Grand Ole Opry, saying goodbye to two more teammates, meeting up and ministering with Fireplace Nashville (an incredible group of young people showing what it means to be love in action), crazy prophetic declarations, evangelism and provision, running into so many alumni, abundance of homeless ministry, the A21 walk to end slavery, divine encounters. We saw some WILD moves of the Lord here- people delivered from demons, radical provision, revival.
Antioch- time with a phenomenal host, outreach in her community (Walmart evangelism and making kits for homeless people), attending churches, experimenting with different ways to worship, team care, and ministry in Nashville
Spring Hill- a host that welcomed us in as family and treated us extremely well. Time for team feedback and encouragement, ministry in Nashville, a day to climb, great coffee
Memphis- FINALLY! We made it to Memphis. Ryan, our off-the-field-but-on-the-team logistics man was our host. After talking about this week for months, it was crazy to finally make it there. Evangelism on a college campus (with some crazy conversations!), working with a local church to pack 1000 Operation Christmas Child boxes, alumni meet-up, intentional prayer and healing ministry, community improvement through manual labor and outreach in Orange Mound, meeting up the Welnocke family, a fun climbing day turned into evangelism and encouragement (love people where you’re at! the Lord shows up), time to process and reflect, a chance to fix the van :O
Mississippi:
Corinth- a brief stop and a slug burger helped us learn a little bit more about our teammate and his hometown
(Pulled the van over on the side of the highway so the team could experience a cotton field)
Alabama:
Leesburg- our little group of “blaze trailers” became an actual bunch of trail blazers as we worked alongside the staff of a National Preserve to increase access to God’s beautiful creation. This was our longest stop of the year at just shy of 2 weeks, and it was definitely once of those weeks that felt like God’s special gift to me. Our ministry included hiking, connecting with people, climbing, speaking at churches, attending Bible study, board games, riding in combines, chasing waterfalls, and working Canyon Fest. We had the opportunity to experience a good ol’ trade day where I ate the best corndog I have ever tasted. It was manual labor mixed with a beautiful community and a rejuvenating setting.
(Amber got caught in the tree)
Elaine’s house- Our amazing host in LA also has a cabin in Alabama and we were able to meet up for dinner and fellowship. The time we spent with Elaine in LA was a time of healing, prayer, worship, and creativity— this time was no different. We spent hours in worship and praying over each other; we challenged each other to pursue the dreams the Lord had given us. And we picked up a lot of pecans.
Florida:
Live Oak- another time where the Lord made a way where there was no way- a chance to see the dream of visiting teammate’s families come to fruition! Chased chickens, intentional prayer with Hannah’s family, archery, some serious game playing, a Veteran’s Day barbecue with her family friends, prayer walking and prophesying over a struggling church
Gainesville- visiting the college ministry where our teammate and her sister attend!
North Carolina: Coming back to where we started
Charlotte/ Kannapolis- visiting the homes of two of our teammates that had left the field; homeless ministry and evangelism with their families and hot chocolate in downtown Charlotte, more community outreach with the Holy Grind coffee shop, worship night, climbing, and the beginning of this year coming full circle
Black Mountain- the second place we stayed at the beginning and the second to last place we stayed at the end, a wonderful faith community; encouragement, worship and bonfire night, dancing in the kitchen, learning about the favor of the Lord, reflection on how far we have come; great moments to wrap up the year
Asheville- briefly stopped by to visit the people we started the year with, more reflection, sweet reunions, reigniting the desire to come back
Georgia:
Gainesville-FINAL DEBRIEF! Wow, how did that happen? We finished the year. A time of processing, being poured into, worshiping, and celebrating. Cookie baking, thanksgiving, dreaming, a color festival, tears, and laughter. Goodbye vans. Goodbye team. Goodbye World Race America.
Atlanta- a few of us stuck around and decided to go to Flowing Oil Ministries; divine encounters, radical worship, healings, prayer, gospel, casting out demons, connections, new hope, faith, a challenge to dig into Scriptures, eyes opened to a move of the Lord. Words cannot describe the night we had here, but it was interesting and incredible.
Blairsville- provision and blessing from the Lord; a time to relax and just be friends, a time to dream and scheme
and the Race continues….
We went from being teammates living in a van to becoming friends that enjoy road tripping together. Spontaneously, a few of us decided to drive our friend home with several stops along the way. Waterfalls and a peek at the Ark in Kentucky, a gracious stay in Ohio (and the opportunity to surprise a friend at their place of work!), a celebratory meal in West Virginia, finally arriving at home for Thanksgiving. Our time was marked with fulfillment of God’s promises, so much fun, and a realization that the things we learned and grew in this year (boldness in evangelism, truly seeing the opportunities the Lord placed in front of us, living as community) had actually become a lifestyle that will continue.
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Our time on World Race America was constantly and consistently about finding “the one.” In the beginning of the year we were given the passage Matthew 10, which includes a call to go after the lost sheep of the house of Israel. It didn’t take long for our team to see how the Lord is moving— he asked us to go after the one that left the ninety-nine (Matthew 18:10-14). This year was filled with deep, intimate connection with people in an effort to bring them back into the fold and to encourage others that carry a similar calling.
My effort to recap our year feels pallid as it leaves out the “sprinked” moments— the color and flavor added by the people we met along the way. Wow, people are worth it. Stopping to hear someone’s story is worth it. My life is forever changed by those special moments. I wish I could communicate the depth of connection, the feeling of invitation, the excitement and disappointment in the rollercoaster of relationship. Instead, my challenge for you is to go out and experience it yourself. Take a moment to BE with someone— ask a stranger intentional questions, be bold in your own vulnerability. Allow yourself to live fully awake and aware of those around you. Ask the Lord who He has for you to talk to. His heart is for them, and His heart is for you. People are worth it.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
So what have you been up to since World Race America ended?
As a surprise to basically no one, my transient lifestyle has continued. Since the end of World Race America, I have barely stayed anywhere for a week. I had the opportunity to celebrate a friend’s birthday in Georgia, visit more friends, time of rest at the beach, spend Christmas with my family, go to our WR America teammates’ wedding in Texas, serve at Passion 2020 in Georgia, stayed at the homeless shelter again in Asheville, NC (story to come). Life has been sweet, but still crazy. I am attempting to settle in at home and plug back into my church, all while getting ready for my upcoming life season.
Well then, what are you doing next?
I am headed to Mijas, Spain to attend G42, a leadership academy that has a mission to mobilize Christ-followers to establish kingdom on earth. During my time here, I will be taking classes, pursuing personal growth, building a deeper relationship with the Lord, engaging in and jumping back onto the mission field (location TBD), further developing my dream of opening up a ministry and learning tools to help it come to fruition!
Want to get involved?
Prayer– Couldn’t we all use a little prayer? I would love it if you would keep me in your prayers! And I would love to keep you in mine.
My prayer requests: always for wisdom, strength, obedience, and the joy of the Lord
Send me yours at [email protected] 🙂
Financial support– If you are interested in continuing or starting to support the calling the Lord has placed on my life, I would love your help! I am entering my 4th year of fundraising—it is humbling to know how much the Lord has provided for me, and to trust that he is going to continue to do that. Thank you so much for your blessing!
Newsletter– As I am moving away from Adventures in Missions, I will also be moving away from using this blog as a platform. If you would like to subscribe to my newsletter, send me your email address!
Have more questions? Please reach out 🙂
Thank you again for all your love and support!
With lots of love, Alleigh
