I recently saw a photo on Instagram from a current racer that told the real story behind the picture she had posted. The picture was beautiful! She was standing by the ocean on a rock, arms stretched wide. It looked peaceful and serene and very enviable. However, her caption talked about how before that picture was taken, they had been lost for hours, caught in the rain, unable to find a hostel, walked miles in the humidity and in the moment, her team was frustrated and over it. It made me laugh as I thought about how different the reality of the Race is from the pictures you see on social media. I’m only two months in and this truth has already become very, very clear!
The reality is that sometimes, it pours down rain and your clothes are left forgotten on the line and end up smelling like rotten eggs.
The reality is that the precious students we teach sometimes scream at us and tell us they hate us because we asked them to stop throwing pencils around the room.
Sometimes nobody wants to do team time. Feelings get hurt, things that should be left unsaid are said and things that should be said are pushed aside.
Sometimes you hold a dear friend as she sobs in worship cause the day has just been too much.
Sometimes you wake up in the night in the dark full of fear.
Sometimes all you can do is pray and pray cause its so dark and so heavy.
Sometimes you would rather call home than press into community here.
Sometimes the reality that you won’t be home for Christmas, or Thanksgiving or Easter, or anyone’s birthday kind of hits out of nowhere.
Sometimes this whole World Race thing is hard.
However, I’m thankful for precious Nicaraguan ladies who give their time to cook for our whole squad everyday.
I’m thankful for the joy I get when I can speak into the life of a woman and see her eyes fill with tears cause she’s never felt love before.
I’m thankful for the opportunity to pray and pray for this place and the people here.
I’m thankful that I get to travel to some of the most beautiful places in the world and marvel at my Father’s creation.
I’m thankful for the hard conversations as a team cause they only pull us closer and closer.
I’m thankful for the times when the wifi is non existent because the Lord is teaching me to invest and be present here.
I’m thankful for a squad who comes together to have an incredible Thanksgiving even though we are so far away from home.
I’m thankful for family who supports and loves me every single day from halfway across the world.
I’m thankful for the people I get to do life with, both near and far, who love me in my great moments and my hard ones and show me everyday that I am worth being pursued and known.
I’m thankful that I get to experience life in so many different places and create family all over the world.
I’m thankful for how the Lord is showing me every single day just how much I have to offer. He’s showing me how bold I am and how He has incredible plans for me. He’s showing me that I have a purpose. I am equipped. I am worthy of pursuit. I am confident.
Sometimes, this whole World Race thing really is beautiful.
