Looking back, the people that begin this journey of the World Race were not World Racers. We had been accepted onto this journey, but it isn’t until it is lived that you become a World Racer. Our parents, friends, and loved ones released a group of people who said yes to God 11 months ago and are going to be receiving back a group of World Racers, people of faith that have let Christ do amazing things in and through them. We are not the same. So here are 11 tips when meeting your World Racer for the first time after 11 months:
Be Patient
It is so difficult, maybe even impossible, to describe what this year was. Our lives are radically different than they were a year ago. And now life is about to get flipped again. We have gotten used to a new norm, a different way to live and look at the world. Heading home is such a hard concept to grasp. Please be patient with us. We may cry. We may ramble. We may be incapable to make decisions. We may act in ways that seem random and not normal. Just be our friend and a safe place while we work through this transition.
Spring for the Coffee
We want to see you and spend time with you and share stories about our life and hear all about yours. We have lived in community for a year and love to exist with people. However, we haven’t worked for a year, and America is expensive. If you can spring for the coffee, please do! We don’t want our lack of funds to put a strain on being with you. And if you can’t, going to a park or your couch is free!
Don’t Be Fake
When we ask about your day, life, or year, we don’t want “It’s Fine.” We care about what’s going on with you. Your life matters, and the struggles and victories are important to share. Know that you can sit down and talk, and you won’t be a burden. Also, don’t feel like you have to have the answers or solutions. It’s ok to not be ok and not be clear about what is happening in your life.
Give it a Shot (go and do something)
We are not a special group of Christians that got selected for the “big league” in the kingdom of God. You have a call on your life just like we do. Don’t be afraid. We had jobs, relationships, church obligations, and responsibilities that we had to let go of. Go. Listen to that small voice that is speaking to you. It’s the Holy Spirit. He’s calling you out. Don’t let the American standard of living hold you back from your heavenly responsibility.
Our definitions have been Re-Written
FAITH. COMMUNITY. ALONE. FEEDBACK. TRUST. TIME. CLEAN.
There are so many words that have been redefined on the World Race. Our methods of operating have changed. If we ask for clarification of what you are saying, it’s because we want to know what you really mean. Also, when we say something like, “I feel so alone,” remember that our word is probably different than yours since we lived an entire year sleeping 6 people to a room.
We are in Culture Shock
Going back home and to the United States doesn’t necessarily bring a comfort to us. Our normal culture is completely different, and we know that everything we have gotten used to is not how we operate in the States. Shoes are no longer optional. We can’t walk everywhere. People don’t spend a lot of time with one another. Individualism is a thing. Showers are expected. It’s a lot. Help us, please! Like #1 be patient and be someone who will accept us while we make this transition.
We Seriously Have No Clue
We don’t know that new show that came out. Haven’t watched who is with who or the big thing in the news. What’s the new in color in fashion? Oh there’s a new cooking tool out? Awesome. Haven’t heard about it. Wifi has been available, but we have learned to prioritize it because of the limitations we have on it so catching up on certain things haven’t necessarily happened. Once again, please be patient.
Our World is Bigger than the United States
It is easy to let our focus be landlocked to the States. Asia is literally halfway around the world. However, we now have friends and loved ones everywhere. The floods that happened in India and Nepal are happening to people we care about. New laws outlawing Christianity in other countries matters to us. Things that seem so important in the states may not matter as much to us when put against news of the world. Please understand our perspective and also, give it a try. The world is beautiful and loving and wild and exciting. Go see it. Let it become your world. Go outside of the boundaries and let your comfort zone be stretched.
We are Still Humans
We are not holy, transfigured angels that have taken human form. Being a missionary does not mean that our life is perfect, and that we live without trials and temptations. It simply means that despite our sins, failures, and fears, we trusted God to use us. We are not going to be perfect coming home. We may get upset. We will probably not operate in a way you think we should. But love us anyways. Let us be humans like you. We don’t want to be on a pedestal. That’s not where Jesus lived so it’s not where we should be.
We Learned to Love Deeper
I think the biggest difference between the people who left for the World Race in January and the World Racers coming back in a few days is the love that has come into our lives. We have chosen to walk deeper in God’s love. We have chosen to love friends and strangers with a deeper love. We have let ourselves be loved by God and people deeper than before. Our life is guided by the love of Christ and our love for Him and His people. When you let Love -true, agape, unconditional, pure, God-is-love, love- into your life and into every fiber of your being, you change.
We aren’t Finished
This is not the best time of our entire life. We aren’t finished with ministry. God’s call on our life doesn’t end because the 11 months have ended. This was a training ground, a launching pad, and a time of stretching that has prepared us for the next chapter in our life, which is a cycle that will continue our entire lives. Ministry is life and life is ministry.
Also, we consider this next month as month 12. Because of culture shock, because of the need to process, and because we have a chance to go to a conference in January for racers, we are still “on” the World Race.
Thank you for walking out this journey with us. Thank you for the months, maybe years, that you stayed by our side in preparation for the World Race. Thank you for liking our comments and pictures, for reading our blogs, for praying for our teams, for the little special ways you reached out during our time away. You have been a support for us even though you weren’t in the seat next to us this year, and thank you for receiving your World Racer back home with open arms.
