I have not done a very good job acquainting this blog with my teammates. They are listed to the left of this page. They are all great, each in their fantastically unique way. But my heart is hurting tonight for my brother-in-Christ, Michael. The only other man with me on my team.
Tonight, I am sitting in a hotel room in Bolivia. The rest of my team is in Peru still. I won’t see them again until next week. It is the first time I have not been with them since this race began. Three months of hearing their laughs. Three months of sharing pains. Three months of serving. Three months of worshiping. Every single day, with the same six people.
And sitting here tonight, away from my team for the first time (I am in Bolivia early to help set up logistics for our squad to all come here in a few days), really makes me consider how much I have come to care for them. It hasn’t always been easy. It hasn’t always been smooth or joyous. But my team has become my family.
Michael is, obviously, a huge part of that family. He is my friend. He is my brother. He stretches me in so many ways – you could not pick two people more different than he and I. He inspires me in so many ways – his love for the Lord is passionate and full of joy. He has helped better equip me for this race and for life – teaching me to love well, to smile ferociously, and to adore the unwavering Presence of Christ, even when it is not tangibly felt.
My heart is especially heavy for Michael because he has not reached the next financial deadline. He has a week to get in the money he needs to stay on the race. I’ve got my own issues to be dealing with, but thanks to all of you, finances is not one of them. You all have blessed me so much! Some asked as I was leaving to let them know if there was another way they could give. Or, if something came up and I needed help with something to let you know. Well, this is it: I need help keeping my brother here. So that he can continue growing in his experience (check out his heart @ michaelwhitson.theworldrace.org), and so that I, my teammates, and the world can continue to be blessed by his service. Please pray about the opportunity to give to Michael (follow the link to his blog and click the “Support Me” link). Please consider supporting my brother-in-Christ, who you may not ever meet, but is faithfully pursuing the Lord’s heart and actively engaging in His Kingdom, and who desperately needs help.
Thank you all for your continued prayers and support.
