World Race Gap Year is one of the most challenging yet most fulfilling adventures I have ever been on. Everyday is a physical, mental, and emotional battle, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. Before I left for The Race, I was asked many times what I would be doing during my time in Gainesville, Georgia, so I am here to give you what my day was like today and share with you what I have learned.
A Day in The Life at World Race Gap Year:
At around 2 AM, I woke up in my friend Carter’s hammock to the sound of Coyotes and walked over to my tent, and slept until around 7 AM. As feeling rested as I was going to get, I started to pack up all my belongings and stuff them into my hiking pack that weighed about 40 lb. Today was the fitness hike test, so everything besides my tent had to be packed and ready to hike. I walked up the hill with all my stuff to breakfast which was coffee, water, a hard boiled egg, a blueberry muffin (I hate blueberry muffins), and an apple.
When it came time for the hike, I was nervous, because in moments like these, I feel as if I’m transported back to a cross country race, where my nerves would be uncontrollable. The hike was carrying your hiking pack and all your belongings, on a 2 mile course through the hills surrounding the campus in 38 minutes. After completing the hike, I have never felt more out of shape in my life, and so thankful I would never have to do it again. But seeing others complete gave me so much joy looking back. My friend Gretchen ran the course while reading from her Bible, and another friend was carried across the finish line after spraining his ankle. I am living in the best community of people.
Directly after the hike was Lunch, which was a turkey, mustard, and mayo sandwich with sour cream and onion potato chips. As a Squad we eat, sleep, and enjoy life together everyday. Right now I am sitting in the only air conditioned space we have, waiting for my bucket shower. If anyone is unfamiliar with what a bucket shower is, It is when you have a large bucket full of water and you use a smaller cup to pour cold water all over your body and use soap in between cups. The trick is not to get the soap into the larger bucket or your water won’t be clean. And Rumor is that dinner is crickets and sardines. Later tonight was have session of prayer, worship, and service where we will learn what it means to love the Lord
*I would like to include that the World Race Gap Year is not torturing us. This lifestyle is very prevalent in a majority of the World, and as Americans we have the privilege to go out to restaurants, take 20 minute hot showers, and have a home to place our belongings. These next few months are the best way to replicate what real life is going to look like on the field. Even though this has been a challenge I hope I don’t have to go through again, iut has taught me so much about humility and sacrifice.*
What the Lord Has Been Doing in Me:
The World Race was my backup backup plan. First was to attend Georgetown, and then second was a safety school. But in the Lord’s eyes, this was the only plan. It has been 5 days and I already feel like a new person. Before the race, I was a Christain and I loved the Lord. But I also had so many other identities. The titles and achievements I was given became a part of who I was. I was Brent, the school board representative. Brent, the homecoming king. Brent, the smart kid. These identities became a part of the foundation of who I was without even knowing how deep rooted they were in my heart. Here at the World Race, the titles I carried meant absolutely nothing and not knowing what was wrong with me, I started to freak out.
That night I wanted to leave because I didn’t feel “Christian enough” to be here, but in reality the pain that I felt was actually the Lord shifting my foundation away from the identities that were never going to satisfy me. The titles I was given, could only hold my weight for so long before they collapsed. The word that came to me was Surrender. I had to surrender all that was wrong with my heart in order to truly be in a place that could satisfy my whole heart and before the Lord I was humbled. It’s been a few days since my first night, and I don’t have to pretend to be anyone that is not myself. I am here as me and no one else. I am so blessed to have a relationship with a God that is Good All The Time! And friends here that want what is best for me. Thank you God for this unreal experience.
