I know you have all been on the edge of your seats waiting to find out what I’m doing with my life post-race. For the longest time I had to answer that question with something like “Eh, I’m not really sure. Still praying about it.” But the time has finally come when I can give a definitive answer. Instead of writing it all out again, I’m just going to copy the letter that I will be sending out soon.
Friends
and Family,
Time
seems to have passed so quickly since I last wrote to introduce you to The
World Race and invite you to participate with me in that amazing journey. The 11-months that I spent in various
parts of God’s kingdom were nothing short of life changing. It’s almost indescribable to have
gotten a guided tour by my Creator though His masterpiece, sharing hurts, joys,
struggles, and most importantly Jesus, with others along the way. This world is beautiful beyond words
and yet so incredibly broken at the same time. I didn’t fully realize the two extremities of that statement
until I stepped outside my comfort zone for an extended period of time. It takes awhile to get your “American
glasses” off, to begin to see life in this world as God sees it but, oh, what a
paradigm shift it causes when that happens!
Over
the past 11-months, I’ve not only seen the lives of people around the world
impacted by a group of 32 World Racers, but I’ve seen incredible growth and
maturation within the Racers themselves.
I wholeheartedly believe in the transforming power of the World Race – a
program that is, by the hundreds, facilitating the growth of a generation who
wants nothing more than to serve Jesus Christ; to be as radical in our love for
God in this generation as the first disciples of Christ were in theirs. The World Race is pulling “Sunday
morning Christians” off the bench and putting them in the game, resulting in a
passion for Christ rooted deep in faith and overflowing with love, a meaningful
testament to those who don’t know Christ personally.
Therefore,
I am excited that I can continue participating in this process. Beginning in August I will be joining
Adventures in Missions in Gainesville, GA as Marketing Projects Manager. Having been overseas, I now know what a
huge role those stateside missionaries play in facilitating the experience of
the ones in the field. I want
everyone in my generation to experience what I just did! I want to help make AIM bigger and
better, allowing those in the field to experience God in an even more
incredible way than I did. I am
excited about the opportunity to lend my education and talents not just to The
World Race, but to all the missions programs that Adventures in Missions
offers.
This
is indeed an exciting time for me as I transition on to yet another new
beginning full of unknowns. While
Georgia isn’t nearly as foreign to me as the last 11 countries were, it’s still
a new place to get adjusted to.
Your contribution to my World Race experience was indispensable, and
once again I would like to ask you to partner with me on a new journey. . Please consider sponsoring me
financially. Though I will be in
America, this is still missionary work.
While living expenses in America are much higher than overseas, I am
confident that God will provide the money. If you would like to support me financially, please either
fill out the enclosed card or go online to http://joshmarkland.theworldrace.org and click on the “Support
Me!” tab on the left of the page. Please
also be praying for my transition to a new job, a new city, and new friends. Your prayers made The World Race
an incredible experience for me.
Now it is my privilege to serve Jesus by helping send others. Again,
thank you for making my World Race experience possible. I look forward to sharing another year
of ministry with you!
Sincerely,
Joshua Markland
