I would like to take a moment just to write to you..
Yeah, you who just went through training camp, and have no idea how to embark on this journey that you signed up for..
You who has no clue where the money will come from..
You who stays up late looking at blogs, and watching video after video wondering what in the world your doing..
You who will become wrecked in the most beautiful and glorious way..
You who will come to know love in it's purest form- Jesus..And as you come to love Him, you will love yourself a little better, the squad that surrounds you, the team you are placed on, and the people you are entrusted to love through ministry in travel.
I've seen many videos, and many blogs written to you, and I too sat where you are now. Scared to death, and yet so excited for this step of the process. LAUNCH..
The sailing away from the safe harbor.. The leap of faith you always knew you were destined to take…
Here's to you, for all your courage..Your bravery..
Your journey has just begun, your story already written, just not fully explored ..
Here is a couple tips to you and your many adventures that await you..
These are by no means in any kind of order greatest to least or what not, and they are not a formula for you to follow, just some tips I would like to share personally from a fellow Racer that maybe will help you in your journey ..so here's to you!
1) First and foremost on the Race seek intimacy with Jesus above anything and everything else.
Seek out intimacy with Him and ENJOY this process. This is a once in a lifetime journey that you get to follow Him around the globe. He has many things for you to discover about Him, about the people/cultures of the world, about your squad/team, and even about yourself. Know that this will only happen once. You may come back and squad lead, you may do other things with AIM, but you will never have all your peeps from your squad with you like this ever again.
2) Invest! Fully invest into the Race. Throw yourself into it! To live a life of abandonment may require you to leave good things..even great things..The call was no different when Jesus called His disciples away from good things in Luke 9- some He called away from good careers, others good relationships..The call was no different for them, for you, or for me..
You've been sought out by the Lord. Prepared for "such a time as this". You hear Him don't you? Feel the tugging of your heart as you read these words.. The yearning inside yourself to experience something more, be a part of something bigger than yourself..your in the right boat!
3) Don't fight feedback.
Invest into feedback as well. Don't be afraid to go deep, get real and raw as soon as you possibly can! Aren't you tired of masquerading around and not saying how you truly feel? Not seeing growth or any challenge in your life or your friends lives, your family? The World Race will challenge you in all those areas, and you may hate it at first, but trust me- you will grow to love it. You may even grow to the point where you confidently can give it & receive it. Some of the hardest words we receive are the best. They challenge us, grow us up into looking more like Christ, and show us that the person giving feedback truly loves us otherwise they wouldn't have the guts to say something that would offend us.
Which leads to my next point…
4) You will be offended on the Race. You will always have emotions, you were made by emotional God who has emotions- so you too will have emotions..don't try an fight your emotions- fight how you choose to respond to your emotions.. choose to be unoffendable..You will have plenty of practice in this later I assure you..
5) Learn to let go..
Let go of any expectations you may have. It's best to start the Race with thinking everywhere you go there will be no running water, no wifi, no bed for you to sleep in etc..
..when you do have those things you consider it a blessing, and you appreciate them more. Your expectations if too lofty can sometimes be your greatest disappointment & struggle on the Race.
*Let go of any relationship you may be in (if not married). I'll put this simply.. If the Lord has called you to this journey- be here..
Don't hold on to your relationship, give it up to the Lord. If it's His best for you, He will give it back better than ever before, but if it isn't He has so much more in store for you, and you know not of the doors He will have you walk through to ready you for relationship, for marriage. The Race parallels that journey in many ways.
6) Pack light!
Understand that you will be carrying this pack around with you for 11 months.. don't get overwhelmed at what to bring, what not to bring..there are stores, markets, and such all over the world- especially for clothes..I will post a good packing list later if ya like, but I will say this for starters- bring lots of underwear guys & girls.. you can thank me later. Bring some of your nice clothes..though they say you won't need them you will be glad you brought some. You don't need as much as you think you do. Don't pack for 11 months, pack like you would for a week trip. Honestly a week's worth of clothes is too much.
7) Leadership is seasonal
Understand that in this culture, this lifestyle- the way we do life is we invest into one another's lives, we are a family, a unit, a team. We take son's and daughter's and make them leaders, not so they can lead, but so they can show other son's and daughter's that they are that- son's and daughter's .. whether you were picked to team lead, lead logistics, become a treasurer.. whatever role you think you deserved understand that leadership is always changing, and is seasonal. You focus on your story, and your journey with the Lord. Honor the leadership above you, your team leaders, logistics, squad leaders, coaches, coordinators..they all want the very best for you & they will move mountains to see it happen for you..
8) Final Tip: Enjoy every beautiful moment..
The moment you leave your airport, and are wiping tears from your eyes..it's hard to picture how you can get as close to this new family as you were with your old, but you will.. it's hard to see how 6 months in you will be saying "I can't picture doing life without these people…but you will". Understand that "goodbyes" are just prolonged "see you later's", and that you have one life to live, and with this choice your choosing to live it to the fullest. Your making one of the hardest decisions of your life, but in the end it will be one of your best..
Enjoy every moment of it. Every sunrise, sunset, every place you find adventure & beauty in. Every bit of laughter that rings out, and tears that fall..every precious child's eyes you look into, and every widow you hold and comfort. Cherish every moment your team chooses to go deeper, and learns to love Jesus and people just a little bit better..
This is your story, make it good, make it great! You were made by a Creator, so go now and create!
Devin Tudor M Squad 2013
