It has been two years and five months since our Qatar Airlines flight touched down on American soil.
The race messed me up…in a good way. I walked away from the World Race changed, hurt, and more self-aware. The past couple of years have been some of the best in my life. Had it not been for the race, I would not be where I am today. The friendships (good and less than ideal), the experiences, and the heartaches were all worth it.
Was the race perfect? By no means.
It’s hard to do missions well. I don’t think the World Race should be considered a mission trip in any sense of the word. The WR is more of a discipleship program where young adults are encouraged and provided the space to grow in their relationships with God while serving in cross-cultural contexts.
Was it worth it? That depends.
I made some of the best friends of my life, whom I know are in my life to stay. I was exposed to missions in a way I otherwise wouldn’t have been able to experience. Currently, I’m in seminary pursuing a ThM (I would have never dreamed of it). God is more real to me now than while I was on the race. In His sovereignty, God used the race to draw me closer to Himself, expose unhealthy character and behavioral flaws, kindle a passion for the unreached, and reveal the need for theological education overseas. It was a means to get me to seminary and it was what I needed in the time I needed.
Should you go on the World Race? Maybe. Maybe not.
I would advise people to consider why they’re going on the race because to fill up your passport with stamps simply isn’t good enough. If you’re contemplating this journey, truly take time to think and pray. It should not be used as an escape from reality or an opportunity to travel the world.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m glad for my time on the race. We can do missions much better, though. We can do so much more with $15,500 (or whatever the cost of the trip is now) by investing in communities. We can develop millennials into Christ-followers who serve humbly and fight against the Savior-complex to which young, non-experienced missionaries fall prey.
Anyway…
My life after the race has been fulfilling. Fighting against the “mission trip high” was hard, but I learned to channel the excitement into something meaningful. I learned a lot on the race about God, His word, and His world. I’m in a place where I finally feel equipped to go about doing something with the tools I’ve been given.
You can learn more here: Delightfully Captivated
