There's an invisible thread in the World Race that has continued from the beginning. I’m on the second A squad; there have been 26 squads to go before me (A-Z) and we are the beginning of a new generation. 1000 Racers have been sent into the field by Adventures in Missions. We are the second A-squad to have gone on the Race.
I’ve found that all Racers are connected; it’s a small, small world. I wanted to take the time to tell you readers a little bit of why I’m here, who has impacted me and how I’ve been connected to the Race. One man from my campus, the ever-brilliant Ben Eppinger, left on the Race in October 2008 and returned to Madison, Wisconsin in September 2009.
I met him the fall of my sophomore year of college at UW (only a few weeks after his return to the United States), and was immediately fascinated with the Race and knew that I would race at some point in the future. Being around him is incredible; his love is deep and genuine; his joy infectious; his humor hysterical. I heard stories and asked questions and couldn’t get the Race out of my mind. I don’t know how I would have heard about this, or if I would be here without having met him. I’m forever grateful.
This is two years in the coming, my going on this journey. I have watched videos and read blogs (more like stalked), and waited for the day that I would be on the Race. Now, here I am, in Targu Mures, Romania with team Beauty For Ashes. We arrived Sept 11, 2011 and it is surreal.
So, I met Ben, and since his coming back from the Race, five more students from Madison have departed. Jake Morris left this January (and was the Featured Racer this month!); two Badgers left in July, Steve Ticknor and Sarah Ruplinger (on X-squad), then my roommate Kelly Jarvis departed in August on the Y-squad. And here I am on A-squad.
The line went from I don’t even know who, to Ben, and then to us. He has multiplied his life simply by being who the Lord created him to be, and has impacted our campus, and our lives in huge ways. When I was at launch, I met his squad leader, and a few of his squad mates who are now on staff with AIM. They spoke highly of him and shared stories with me. For all of you who know him, you know how he shines. I never knew him before the Race, but I can see how much he loves the Lord, and it’s truly inspiring. If I come back half as joyful as he is, I’ll have been radically changed.
He’s just one of many who have connected this line. The thread that links us together, and all Racers, is going out like a spider web, everyone is interconnected and it keeps getting bigger and bigger. I love it. It’s a giant family and the way that they impart kingdom and love and grace is incredible. Racers on the field now are here because of those who have gone before us and who continue to pour into us. I am incredibly thankful.
So, thank you. For all you’ve done, and for all you do, and for all of the ways that we connect and affect and love one another. It’s beyond my scope of understanding, but it’s wonderful.
