“Look careful then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of
time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what
the will of the Lord is.” – Ephesians 5:15-17
In May of 2013 I felt the longing for something more in my life. I didn’t want to live my life with the typical Christian life of going to Bible college, becoming a youth pastor, leading nearby missions trips, being a good steward of time in my community, planting a Christ-based organization, and eventually dying in a hospital and going to heaven.
That’s all really good things but I want to live the life of the unexpected.
Going to plant a church in the Middle East, seeing God heal an entire orphanage of lame children in Nepal, trekking through the Gobi desert to reach herders who do not know Jesus, having your Romanian friend take you to dance for ministry, and ultimately dying knowing that I did more than what I could dream of in America.
I used to be a big time adrenaline junkie as well as once feeling like a radical Christian. Doing The World Race did not feed those addictions. It showed me how I can feed my spirit. In missions, in community, in everyday reality.
I grew faster than what I expected; faster than what I even wanted.
Sure, I climbed the Great Wall of China. I entered the communist state of Transnistria. I explored the desert of Mongolia. I chased down 6 foot lizards in Swaziland. Those adrenaline pushers and tourist advertisers were the smallest facet on that beautiful gem from these past 11 months.
This is what happened. This what you sent me to do. I left and followed blindly. The outcome was greater than what I expected and now I’m learning to use the wisdom that the Lord gave me for the everyday commute.
You spent $16,000 for me to go on this trip.
I went to 16 different countries.
I slept in 43 different beds.
I am friends with Muslims, Monks, and Hindu’s.
I made 200 new friends on Facebook.
I ate cows head.
I made future missions contacts.
I got worms.
I missed all holidays with my family.
I was on 4 different teams.
I cried at least 47 times.
I saw life and death.
I ran from the local police.
I met Jesus.
I was a leader.
I was a servant.
I lashed out.
I was forgiven.
I dared.
T H E W O R L D R A C E
The Final Month: C H I N A from Hunter Young on Vimeo.
