“Like a river connects to the Ocean
The pavement touches wherever we go
white lines flying by, who knows what we’ll find”
Drive by Ben Rector (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbrvCyEoW0Q)
These lyrics and this song have been my anthem over the last month. I have driven so many miles, from Charleston to Hendersonville to Charlotte. Dividing time in each of my favorite cities has been both taxing and so rewarding. Being on the run this last month has allowed me to never settle and never take moments for granted. I’ve been trying my best to take in every moment and appreciate every smile. As life begins to settle down and I sit in a little coffee shop in Hendersonville. I finally have time to write and write with purpose. As many of you know, one of my favorite things to do is write. So not having time to stop and write has been tough. I am thankful for days like today, rainy days off in one of my favorite places. As I sit and prep for the Race it has me thinking about days on the race. It has me dreaming of running through the streets of Quito. It has me dreaming of smiling at the locals and being able to experience their culture. It has me dreaming about life on the Race with my fellow teammates, whom I can’t wait to meet. It also has me thanking every person who has already both donated financially and spiritually for the sake of my trip. I am at loss for words when I try and comprehend the fact that God has allowed me to be 70% funded!! Each day that I get closer to launch is another day that this trip is becoming more and more real in my eyes. With each dollar that has been raised is confirmation by God that this is where He wants me. Now, I want to share with you a story, a story of a boy who was lost and now has an amazing opportunity.
Three years ago, a senior in high school was lost and hurting. He decided that he was going to go to Peru. He was going to go and serve, just to make himself feel better. As he proceeded to go on this trip, he claimed that he was close to Christ, yet he was so far from that. He was angry, upset, and confused. He was in Peru; however, he was not in Peru. He was so worried about what was going on at home that he lost sight of paying attention to the little moments. He was so lost; he didn’t create any lasting memories with the people whom he was with or those who He was sent to serve and love on. He sat in the airport crying his eyes out because he felt as if he was rejected by his peers. It was almost ironic of where His heart was at that time. His heart was crying for attention and crying to feel loved. He came back angry and not himself. It took him a long time to accept that this trip taught him not to take anything for granted. As many of you guessed, this boy was me. I have the amazing opportunity to go back to Peru. I cannot tell you how much I regret going on that trip with my heart in an awful place. I have made a vow to myself, that I will never let that happen again. I was so deep in sin that I was unaware of what I was doing. I was being an awful representation of Christ to the people whom I was sent to serve. As I prepare my Heart for this trip and prepare to go back to Peru, I have to opportunity to go back to Peru with a different heart and for that I am so thankful. I am excited to see Peru and the people. I am excited to not only embrace the culture but feel my heart leap for joy as I meet and evangelize with the people. This time, I want to my heart to be wrecked by God. I want the Peruvians to see me and have a burning desire to see and want Christ. As my heart is being prepared for this trip, I ask for prayer. I ask that you keep my teammates and I in your prayers as we are a little over 60 days away from launch! Thank you so much for reading this and God Bless.
-Ben
