Dear Dad and Mom,
The man you’re about to see here in South Africa is not the same man that said goodbye to you 222 days ago. The man you’re about to see here is different emotionally, spiritually, and even a little bit physically.
I’ve seen more heartbreak in the last 222 days than I would like to admit.
I’ve seen more life-changing and beautiful moments than I can count.
I’ve had way to many moments of frustration, but an insane amounts of extreme joy and laughter.
I’ve been apart of people’s salvations, and I’ve been rejected more times than I can count when I try to talk about Jesus.
I’ve mentored teens, put roofs over people’s heads, taught English, gave a sermon, ministered to criminals, and gained experiences that I will never forget.
These last 222 days have been some of the best days of my life. I’ve been able to do what I love by traveling and experiencing a plethora of new cultures, I’ve been surrounded by 42 other people who are passionately in love with Jesus, and I’ve been able to serve without limitations.
But that’s not why they have been so awesome… They’ve been some of the best days of my life because I’ve finally found out who I am.
You see, 222 days ago I didn’t know my identity. I didn’t know who I truly was. I had yet to experience complete surrender in my relationship with the Lord, and I have come to find out how crucial this is in my faith walk.
Since then I have found my identity in what scripture says in Romans 8:16-17.
I am a child of God. Because I am a child I am an heir to the throne, and a coheir with Christ.
222 days ago I would have probably just stopped at being a child of God, but since then I have gained confidence in who I am. I walk a little taller and laugh a little louder knowing that I am an heir to the throne. I take moments of loneliness and defeat and turn them into moments of confidence and strength. I take moments of fear and restlessness and turn them into moments of peace and boldness. The Caleb that you knew then wouldn’t have done the same thing.
I’ve also found new passions and had old ones confirmed since you last saw me.
We’ve always known my heart has been for orphans, and just kids in general. That has been more or less confirmed with several ministries I’ve been apart of involving youth. I love the next generation, and I believe they will be strong and capable leaders that bring about revival in our society.
But what I have come to learn is that I am passionate about the people of Islam. I love spending time with them, and embracing their culture. I love loving on them in the way that Jesus would, and getting to show them that Eternal Love himself lives inside of me.
I have also ran into my passion for refugees. I love being a glimmer of hope for them in such a dark time. I love encouraging them and praying for them. I love their passion and drive to fight for themselves and their families, and I honestly strive to have that kind of drive. I love seeing Jesus inside each one of them, even if they know it or not.
The World Race has been some of the hardest days of my life, but these last 222 have been so worth it.
It has sucked not seeing you both, and talking to you as much as I want, but believe me when I say that I talk about you a lot. And that has made me realize just how blessed I am to have you as parents.
So with that being said, I can’t wait to see you. I can’t wait to hug you so hard and have a hard time grasping that it’s actually you guys in Africa with me. I can’t wait to tell you stories about all the people you are going to meet, and even stories about the people not at PVT. I can’t wait to show you what life is like being on the race.
I can’t wait to experience this with you.
But before I conclude this letter, I have a few things I want to say… Despite the fact that I’ve changed as much as I have, I’m still so much the same.
I’m still the same Caleb who loves being the baby boy of the family and being called Freakshow and Cowboy Bob. I still have the Callaway sweet tooth and I’m still like a vacuum cleaner for food. I’m still the boy that loves camping and hiking and adventures, and coming home to watching movies with you both at night.
I’m still that boy, but I’m a new man. A man that you might not recognize. A man that is different from the boy that said goodbye to you 222 days ago.
Daddio and Mama Llama, I love you so much and I can’t wait to see you. Only 4 more sleeps until I get to hug you both!
In Him,
Cowboy Bob
