I have now been working for AIM for about three months. So I feel an update to all my supporters and friends would be appropriate.
First of all, transitioning back into the United States after experiencing the World Race has been a challenging but good experience. I think that most people have felt like they exist in sort of an awkward in-between-state-of-mind. We have experienced something radical and have clearly been changed by it. So to go back to just the same sort of lifestyle before without at least change of mindset about it does not really seem to be an option, at least for myself. And yet it seems to be difficult to really move forward because, again for myself, I don’t really know exactly where to go. I feel like I have hundreds of options at my fingertips, many of which seem very good, that it can almost be paralyzing. Maybe there is a fear that whatever I do, it won’t be good enough, or radical enough, or worth people’s money enough. I think other racers have expressed the same sort of sentiments. “We are changed!… uuuh, now what?”
This process of coming back has been a big learning experience for myself. It has felt like an extremely slow process and has been frustrating at times. But I know that God is in it. And repeatedly, He has told me, “Just keep going. Its okay not to know. It’s good not to know. Just dont stop and do nothing.” So I have been trying to move forward. And in retrospect, I know that I have. A lot of really good things have happened. And I really am continuing to grow in faith in the same kind of rapid rate that occurred during the race. But I know that I don’t have things figured out, not that I am expecting to have my life solved.
In my time working with AIM, I have spoken with churches and groups in Los Angeles, around Phoenix, in Flagstaff, at the Universities. I have had my story told (brilliantly by Jeff Goins) in Relevant Magazine. I have been a part of organizing a bike ride to raise awareness about human trafficking in which we saw several organizations, an author, and leading resources on human trafficking, share on nightly nationwide conference calls. I have had lots of one on one meetings with people interested in serving in missions. I walk around the neighborhoods near me each morning. Through this, I have met quite a few really interesting people. I have been working with a “mobilization team,” which essentially like a recruiting type team, focusing on simply telling our stories, and encouraging others to go and have their own type of experience, encouraging people to step outside of their comfort zones while following after God. We have seen an increase in people who are choosing the World Race as an outlet for serving God. So essentially, we have seen good things happening on the way to meeting some of our goals.
A common theme among racers is that life is ministry, and you cannot compartmentalize that into only a certain aspect of life. I guess it has been a big learning experience to take that, which I very much believe in, and translate it into practice.
So I will be moving forward day by day. I still do not really know much about what I will be doing in the future. But I am very thankful to have an amazing group of people walk with me every step of the way. I am extremely grateful for your generosity with your giving, and most certainly for all your prayers. You all mean so very much to me!
