It was around this time last year that I applied for the Race.
When I was accepted, I was so pumped! I immediately started generating visions in my head of how my life would be on the field.
I was going to be a World Racer! I imagined how much fun I would have with my new squadmates (family). I pictured myself frolicking in a field with happy little orphans fighting to hold my hand. I envisioned myself standing on a mountaintop, praying over a nation.
Fast forward one year: I am sitting in Chaing Mai, Thailand, chuckling at my own naivety.
Fun with my new family? I just spent a large portion of my debrief de-licing my squadmates.
Frolicking in a field? HA! The closest I came to frolicking today was my awkward walk/run to the restaurant’s bathroom to prevent a terrible accident. My boldest prayer today was for the diarrhea to cease so I could give my quads a break on top of the “squaddy potty”. In that state of exhaustion, I leaned my head against the wall, only long enough to see the line of ants in front of me, that were now probably in my hair.
I am now sitting in the living room of the team house watching some sort of Thai soap opera with one of our translators.
Needless to say, this is not was I expected.
Life on the Race is not easy. Life on the Race is never expected. But life on the Race is unexplainably amazing.
My new family? Some of the most amazing people I have ever met. They have taught me so much in the three short months I have been with them. They have shown me a new meaning of love. They have shown me a new meaning of friendship.
Frolicking in a field? I have spent the last three months frolicking in some of the most beautiful mountains I have ever seen. Stood in awe at picture-perfect landscapes that I think can’t possibly be real. And looked into the eyes of hundreds of God’s happy children.
Bold prayers? Sure, several prayers have been sent up to the big guy about stopping the fluids that are exploding out of my body. But there have also been prayers of hope, healing and love. There have been prayers begging for big change, for the countries we visit, the people we meet and big change for myself.
So future racers,
Stop fantasizing about what will be. There will be family, lots of frolicking and a TON of bold prayer, but probably not in ways that you will be expecting. My biggest advice to you is that you let go of your expectations. Be in constant prayer for God to open your heart, and for Him to prepare the hearts of those you will meet.
Relax, and just be. That REI shopping list will get smaller. That to-do list will be completed (or not).
The Race will be what you make it. The Race will not be what you are expecting.
