Yes, I said “future” because I know you‘ll do it. You will take the step of faith into the deep uncertainty and unknown.
How do I know this? Because I was you once.
Nervous that I wasn’t “Christian enough“ or spiritually gifted enough or adaptable enough. I thought I was too materialistic to live out of a backpack. And guess what?
I was/am all of these things and none of these things. I am never enough without God’s grace. We will never be enough on our own. But we will always be better than we could imagine with God’s strength within us.
Heck, I didn’t even know I had spiritual gifts until month 2. And then, I discovered more month 3 and 6. It will happen for you, too.
I am way too materialistic to live out of a backpack. I have already sent 2 packages home (mostly Christmas presents for the fam). One might be lost forever. Every month God challenges me to abandon more. Not just send it home, but give it away completely. And it feels good to have less. It feels good to give to others.
Fear not. He has a LOT to teach you this year. About yourself, His creation, faith and most importantly, Himself.
Father has SO MANY adventures waiting for you. I am not going to tell you any of my adventures right now. I don’t want to spoil the fun and surprise for you.
Some things you go through are really tough.
Some days are tough to get through.
Sometimes it’s hard to stay present in a moment.
Sometimes the whole month is hard to stay present in.
That is where I’m at now.
It’s hot. I smell always. Most of my team is sick. I was sick for a few days. That is why we decided to write to you.
We keep asking the big question The one I know you, too, have wrestled with in your decision to go or stay.
“What are we doing here?”
Our friends and family are doing things we wish we could be a part of.
“Why am I called here and not to be with my family?”
Well, let me tell you, I do not know. I am just a month 7 racer. I do not have all the answers. But here is what I do know…
• my friends and family still love me tremendously.
• I have a better relationship with God now than ever before.
• There are demons in my life I have wrestled with for YEARS. I have found more freedom from them in ONE month on the race than I have in my whole life.
• I am capable of preaching. An opportunity I never had at home. An opportunity I did not even know I wanted.
• Community can be tough. But a hard day with them is worth more
than an easy day with others who can never be as invested.
• My heart has an infinite amount of love to pour out. Every time I think I have given my all the month before, God fills me up again so I can pour it out. God’s Love is like the rain. A continuous cycle.
• I have witnessed an entire room of children give their lives to Jesus.
• I have witnessed men, who used to be murderers and rapists, living in complete transformation and surrender for God.
• I have tried more new foods than I can list (some were really good. Some were really questionable)
• I have watched those with nothing give everything to those who do not deserve it.
• I have met 8 year old children who are more mature with more responsibilities than most 25 year olds I know (me especially).
• I have seen God paint the sky in so many extraordinary places.
• I have worshipped Him in the dark, on the mountaintop, in the valley, covered in sweat, covered in tears, in airports, at all times of the day.
So no, I do not know exactly what He is calling you into.
But I know that He IS calling you. On the hardest days, He still has a plan for you.
The World Race is not easy. But, my goodness, it is SO worth it.
Coming from someone who debated giving up and going home for a couple weeks…even in the hardest moments God was with me. My team was with me.
You want assurance that you are loved? Say YES to the race. My team just loved me through a meltdown this morning. Then they joined me in a 30 minute dance party. It was ridiculous and everything I needed in that moment. And it led me here to you.
You do not have to go on the World Race to make a difference in the world or to see heart change in yourself. You do not have to do anything. But, you can do anything.
And if God is calling you into this, loving people, proclaiming His name, being loved by people, reaching the unreached, meeting the widows and orphans the Bible talks about, why wouldn’t you do it?
I am rooting for you. I am praying for you. I am here for you. If the only reason I am here is to encourage you so you go and heal the sick, then it is all worth it. You are worth the journey. Who is worth your journey?
Love,
Danielle
a sweaty, rebuilt, still broken, month 7 racer & lifetime disciple of Christ
P.S. You get the opportunity to get sick tats from around the world. If that is your thing.
P.S.S. Lots of countries have incredible coffee. If that’s your thing.
P.S.S.S. YOU ARE GOING TO BE THE BEST WORLD RACER. “You were born for such a time as THIS.”
