Folks, my time in Colorado has come to an end.
This initial move was a very unexpected decision and what I needed to do for God to stretch me and prepare me for what’s ahead. It was a short summer, but a full one. I’ve been in ministry before and lived a very transient lifestyle from the beginning. But the transient lifestyle I’m stepping into through the World Race is something completely different for me.
Often times people ask me how I’m preparing for the race spiritually and mentally, and I can’t answer other than that I’m not the one preparing myself. GOD is preparing me! Living in a foreign community for a month and actually making a difference in that short amount of time is not easy. God used my time in Colorado to bring people into my life who I would have very little time with. God brought people into my life and said, “Ok Daniel, you’ll have the opportunity to be with this person 3 times before you leave. So how intentional are you going to be to make those 3 opportunities count?”
Wow.
I didn’t have as much time as I’d like to get to know those people and build a relationship with those people in order to share the love of Christ with them… But that’s the reality that I’m about to step into. In fact, I’ll only have ONE opportunity a lot of the time to intentionally show the love of Christ and share the Truth of the Gospel.
So to answer those who ask how I am being prepared I say that one of the biggest ways I have been prepared is through these types of interactions. I’ve met some amazing people and grown relationships that I have missed for years. I haven’t been the only one pouring into others though. These same people have been pouring into me in some of the most powerful ways. I can’t express the love I have for this place and the people in it!
To give a shout out to a few of them:
Mikey, Chip, and Tyler!!! My three room mates. You brothers in Christ are nothing but a blessing and encouragement to me! You have given me a home and shown me the love I needed during this season of preparration. I can’t wait to see you again.
The entire Vaughan Family!!! You guys have been a second family to me for the majority of my life and I can’t thank you enough for the love and support you’ve given me, not just towards this trip, but ever since I’ve known you all!
More Specifically, Zach Vaughan!!! Dude, you rock man! You’ve helped me out by giving me work when you didn’t necessarily need to. That cash flow coming in each week has helped me stay a float financially and been a huge part into helping me go on this mission! Besides that, you’re a great man who I have a lot of respect for.
Todd Santee!!! My brother in Christ who has poured into me and become a more dear friend now than ever before! God has made you a huge part in preparing me through the healthy fellowship I needed and received this summer. Thank you.
Ari Lewin!!! You, my man, have been a blast! The moments we’ve had to goof off and the moments we’ve had to have serious conversation about each other’s future has been huge.
Em and Hannah!!! Gurlz! You fill me with joy and I couldn’t compare you two to anyone else if I tried. Haha I love you both to death and you’ll always make me smile!
Everyone else!!! Colorado and the people here will always have a special place in my heart. I can’t wait to come back someday (Lord willing) to see you again! Please follow me on this journey because the very fact that I’m able to do this is due to God using YOU to get me here.
This season has been a season of injury and healing. Being stretched, yet being grown. Staying present, yet being everywhere.
Being poured out, yet being poured into.
Thank you God for this blessing of having lived one more time in Colorado. Thank you for the people here and for the beautiful testimony to your glory even in the mountains. I am blessed beyond words. You, God, are so infinitely good to me! Thank you!
Amen.
Farewell and may the Sovereign God of Peace be with you in all you say and do!
-Daniel
