As a racer, you often get questions from friends or friends of friends that are interested in going on the race and want to know more. I recently had a girl reach out to me. After reviewing what I told her about the race I thought it would be a good idea to post our conversation here and give you a better idea of what exactly is going on over here. I hope this gives insight to all you out there praying for me. Feel free to send me more questions and I’ll be happy to answer them.
Her: If you have any advice or if you would tell
me what to expect or how to prepare before I
leave, i would really love that
Me:Hey girl! I can tell you a little about my
world race experience.
Honestly, it’s been the greatest and most
challenging thing I’ve ever done. It so rewarding
because you are going so many places, meeting tons
of people and making connections around the world, doing
ministry everyday and even more amazing for
a thousand more reasons. It’s challenging because you’re
living in constant community and homesickness is a real thing.
I have grown more in my relationship with the Lord
since I began my race than I could have ever dreamed.
It so nice to live in a community that constantly
pushes you toward Christ. I will say, the race is what you make it.
You’ll hear that phrase over and over again. But it’s true.
It would be really easy to get on the race and coast- to just
get through the day with little to no growth and not
pushing yourself in ministry. I’ve been lucky to have a
team that pushes me to make the absolute most out of the race.
Packing is difficult. You pack one bag for the year and
about month 4 or 5 you’re already sick of all the
clothes you have. You take bucket showers and go months
without looking in a mirror but somehow, that’s okay.
You leave all your family and friends at home for the
year and some days it absolutely suck. Some days you want
to go home. But most days you are grateful beyond belief
for your squad and your teammates because they
are your family and friends for the year.
Ministry is different in each country. I’ve done
everything from teach English to work in a soup kitchen
to help with youth camps to design a website. You roll
with the punches and make the most out of it.
I really really want to encourage you to look into
the race and see if it’s for you. It’s not for everyone, and
that’s okay. But if you at all feel the Lord calling you then
I would say do it!! It’s the greatest thing I’ve done this far.
Also feel free to still send me specific
questions. We are in Zambia this month
and wifi is limited but I promise to answer! Praying for you!
Her: Hey!! Hope you’re doing well!
Don’t feel like you have to answer all of these!
What made you want to go on the world race?
Did you have any expectations before you left?
What do you miss most about home?
How did you prepare for the race?
What have you learned/what has the lord been teaching you?
How do you deal with being homesick?
What has been your favorite/least favorite parts of the race?
How did you choose your route?
Is there anything I can be praying for you?
Me:
What made you want to go on the world race?
I had spend about 6 months full on running from the LORD.
I had graduated college and I wasn’t ready for grad
school but also knew a wasn’t ready for a “big girl job” and
what I thought was settling down. I moved across
the state and searched for answers everywhere but never talked
to the LORD about it. I ended up severely depressed and after two
months of living like this I surrendered to the LORD.
He called me back home to live with my grandparents.
During my first few months there (October 2015-December 2015)
I really stated to pursue the LORD again. I still wasn’t getting
answers about what to do with my life but I was falling in love
with the LORD again and working 2 part time jobs and
really just enjoying life again for the first time in a few
years (college was rough haha) at the end of December I was
on Facebook and saw that a friend of mine that
I previously gone on a mission trip with was
posting pictures from the race. The LORD spoke to me in that
moment and told me that was my next step.
I wasn’t sure. It was a lot of money and considered myself
a baby Christian because I had been so distant from the
LORD for so long. But after a few weeks of praying I
applied. I think what drew me to the race was the
idea of not only spreading the gospel but also devoting a
year to complete surrender and uninterrupted focus on the LORD.
Did you have any expectations before you left?
Umm you try not to but yeah, we all have expectations.
It’s really easy to look at blogs, videos, instagrams of the
race and expect that everyday will be exciting and
life changing and full of adventure. But honestly, you’re
just living life in another place. I mean don’t get me wrong…
the race is amazing and it is all of those things but
for example today is our off day from ministry and my entire
team is going to spend the day laying around,
watching movies, and probably not speaking to each
other a whole lot. It’s necessary to relax and recharge
on the race. You can’t do a year full of adventure and
whatnot without rest… just like life at home.
What do you miss most about home?
The people. I’m not sure if you’ve ever been in a
long distance relationship but that’s exactly what the race is.
Except for instead of that long distance relationship
with one person, you have it with everyone in your life haha
oh yeah and wifi is mostly crappy around the world so
that adds an element of difficulty
How did you prepare for the race?
Prayer!!! Every route is different. Every country is different.
Every host is different. Every team is different.
You have no idea what you’re walking into when you leave
American soil for the race. The only way to prepare your
heart is to ask God to do it!
What have you learned/what has the lord been teaching you?
This year I’ve learned a lot about how to allow myself
to be loved by those around me. We got out
with the intention to love others but when you’re constantly
pouring out it’s important that you learn
how to receive love as well
I have developed a new passion and love for scripture.
And i mean like hard core love of the Old Testament.
I’ve learned to say yes to the things that scare the
crap out of me and trust Holy Spirit to take control
I’ve learned for be vulnerable wth those around me and how
that’s the first step to healing places of my heart that I
may not have even known existed and how when you lead with
vulnerability that people you are ministering to are more
likely to feel comfortable and open up as well and that
the LORD will use that vulnerability from
both parties to glorify himself.
How do you deal with being homesick?
Your team becomes your family. You learn to go to
them when you can’t talk to family. You learn to
cry about it and then move forward. You hold on to the
knowledge that this is a once in a lifetime opportunity
and trust that God will work through you to touch
lives. When you put into perspective
the sacrifice you make and then the work
you are doing for the kingdom the homesickness isn’t as
bad. Also this life becomes normal. You will adjust and
your family will too. It’s important to pray for those you
leave at home because remember, they didn’t necessarily
choose this, you did. But because they care about you
they walk though the year with you.
What has been your favorite/least favorite parts of the race?
Favorite: my team. These girls are truly sisters. I know what
True friendship is, as I’ve had the same two best friends
since I was 7. And somehow after only 4 months, these girls
are providing me with the same type of friendship.
I’m not exactly sure how I’ve been doing life without them
the past 24 years.
Least: it’s been difficult for me to leave at the
end of every month. I love people hard. And it’s hard to
pour in everything you have to a ministry and
group of people and then leave after 3-4 weeks.
That’s not a long time in one place. I’ve cried after
leaving hosts. It’s hard to build such strong relationships
and then leave, never knowing if you’ll see these people again.
How did you choose your route?
When praying about the race I knew
I wanted to go back to Africa. So I initially looked for
a route with Africa. I also knew that I was particularly
passionate about central and South America.
So that left one route… M Squad… Cambodia. Thailand.
Malaysia. Philippines. Zimbabwe. Zambia. Malawi.
Ukraine. Romania. Albania. Greece.
(Routes change from time to time based on a variety of things)
(at training camp Greece was taken off my route and then at
launch we got Spain!)
Is there anything I can be praying for you?
Team changes just happened last month.
They typically happen once or twice during your race.
It’s nice because you get to work with others from your squad
but as mentioned earlier, I loved my first team!
This new team change is difficult. It’s just new.
Having to separate from my last team felt like
leaving home all over again. Pray for unity among us!
//
I hope gave you all a little more insight into the race and what my life looks like. These are just a few common questions that I receive from potential racers and supporters. If you have any questions at all, feel free to ask! Thank you for all your support. I am officially FULLY FUNDED!!!!
