UPDATE ON POST-RACE MONTH 1 AND WHAT'S NEXT…
It was the end of Month 11 on the Race. Most of my teammates were salivating at the thought of devouring Chipotle (“Mexican” food seemed to be the common craving), sinking into warm beds, enjoying hot showers and relishing in high speed internet. I was different. I was the one lying under my mosquito net with tears rolling down my face at the thought of returning home.
I knew I was not the same person who had left in October 2011, but my fear was that I would get back to America and fall victim to my pre-Race mindset. I knew that returning home meant I would be losing the community that had challenged me, encouraged me and taught me so much over the past year. I knew that without these people my daily walk with Christ would look different.
Instead of combining the best of my old life with the best of my new, I allowed my fear to come true. I found myself telling the story about getting chased by an elephant on the Serengeti more than the story of a stroke victim walking after my teammates prayed for him. I chose TV over reading my Bible. I spent hours upon hours searching the Internet for a job without spending even a minute asking God what He wanted for me in this next season.
I forgot, or avoided, who the Lord says I am for 3 solid weeks. I didn’t look at the pictures of the people who had changed my heart on the Race. I didn’t read letters or go through my journals from the past 11 months. I pretended that I could be happy just being back in the States and pursuing some slightly altered version of the American dream.
It took a B Squad reunion, also known as Project Searchlight, for me to snap out of it. After 5 days in Gainesville living life and worshipping with most of my beloved B Squad, hearing teachings from Seth Barnes and other wise men and women of God and actually seeking the Lord, God led me back to something He had planted on my heart in Kenya.
One of my favorite days on the Race was when my team and I visited Kibera, one of Africa’s biggest slums. As soon as we arrived, two kids ran up to me, grabbed my hand and led me down a muddy pathway to their home. Their English was very limited and my Swahili just about ends with “Jambo” so I decided to take out the breaker of all international and language barriers- the digital camera. With a quick prayer for protection over it, I soon found myself relinquishing the camera to the kids. All I did was show them which button to push and they were on their way. Their smiles, laughter and genuine curiosity at the camera and its powers filled me with so much joy.
It wasn’t until I started editing the photos that I realized the kids had taken better shots than I had that day. Whether it was their unconventional way of framing or the different perspective they have at their height, I was blown away by what showed up on my computer screen. What could kids like these produce if they actually had someone to teach them? How powerful would it be for 3rd world kids to be able to tell their own stories and the stories of the people around them?
one of my favorite photos the kids took (these two were my sidekicks for the day)
It’s called G42 Leadership Academy. It’s in Spain. It begins in 13 days…yes, I know. It sounds crazy.
Here’s a little blurb about G42:
“Our Leadership Academy is designed to raise up passionate leaders with dreams and visions that they will make into reality. It's an intense 6 month program where our interns attend classes, live in community with other interns, get involved in the local Spanish community, and are stretched to be all that God has created them to be.”
God did not take me around the world to have me come back unchanged. He used the last 11 months to help me realize my passions, desires and giftings, and now He is going to use the next 6 months for more wisdom and pruning.
The cost of G42 is $6,000 ($1,000 for each month I will be there), which includes tuition, lodging and a food allowance. If you feel led to invest in me and my walk with the Lord and the dream that He is going to develop these next 6 months you can donate online by going to
Or
You can click on Intern support
After you type in the amount you would like to donate and fill in your information, there will be a button that says “Name of Intern.” Click on that button and type Chrissy Robertson.
**G42 is a different entity than The World Race so donations through this blog site will no longer reach me
I have been overwhelmed at the level of support I received this past year and am praying once again for God’s provision in this next season. I hope you will continue on this journey with me to see what God holds next. As always, prayers are encouraged and MUCH appreciated!
Fun Fact 1: I left the US on October 8th 2011 for the World Race and I have to be in Spain by October 8th 2012 for G42. Coincidence? I think not…
Fun Fact 2: This is the last devotional I read before I left for the World Race. I think it still applies…
“Be willing to follow wherever I lead. Follow Me wholeheartedly, with glad anticipation quickening your pace. Though you don’t know what lies ahead, I know; and that is enough! Some of my richest blessings are just around the bend: out of sight, but nonetheless very real. To receive these gifts, you must walk by faith- not by sight. This doesn’t mean closing your eyes to what is all around you. It means subordinating the visible world to the invisible shepherd of your soul.”
