Part 2 of 3
JACOB
I’ve grown so much into my identity in Christ. Before the race, I let other people tell me who I was and held my identity in other people’s approval. But on the race I learned how to love God with everything I have and stay rooted in him.
I would definitely say community. I’ve never been surrounded by only believers in my community so it was weird stepping into that. But through all of it I’ve found 40 brothers and sisters who I deeply love and who have encouraged me in my faith and helped me grow so much.
I would probably say Machu Picchu. It was definitely a challenge for me to hike and get up so early but the journey to get there made the destination all the more beautiful. It was such a fun day with the boys.
I will be team leading for next years racers for 3 months and then interning at the aim base in Guatemala for another 3 months. I am so excited to go back out on the field and help lead next years group of racers!
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The times that I have had with Jacob have been some of the most pointless, weird, fun, uplifting, and encouraging times. From arguing over some pointless thing for 2 hours-not really making any progress, to being built up by him from what he is learning or wants to encourage me with, has been awesome. His laugh is one of the weirdest, but most contagious laughs ever. Jacob is a leader. He speaks out in authority and is ready to go the distance for God even when it is hard. I will miss all of the things that we did together, but I am excited for where God takes him!
Carter
Since the start of the race I think I’ve grown radically in many ways. not having a tangible list of any sorts simply because in this life with Jesus that I’ve been living and walking out everyday opens a doorway that leads to new growth. New convictions, new awareness, new love, new things all around but the same Father. Growing as a leader, growing as a man, growing as a brother in Christ to those who surround me each day. Learning where my identity true lies and how to invite others into a place where maybe they have never experienced before with the Lord.
The hardest and greatest experience for myself on the race looked like the same thing. Learning to let go of the rope I believed to be holding me and just trusting my gear to hold me. Letting go of the things I know, the things I believed to be true, the things I relied on outside of God and just trusting Him. Letting go of something when I didn’t know what the outcome would look like whatsoever putting my trust entirely in the Lord without knowing what exactly lied ahead. The coolest thing I did on the Race was definitely rainbow mountain in Peru. The drive out there, the hike, the views, the scenery, the culture, the people, the drive back. All of it was absolutely one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had the chance to do in my life. 17,000 feet up and having the Lords beauty along with the elevation taking all of the breathe out of my lungs.
After the race looks like spending some time home in South Carolina before going to Colorado for a month to work then moving to Austin, Texas for school and to live with friends. Coming home I plan to walk with a new found relationship with Christ planning my days around Him and everything else to come falls second. Pursuing Him in an unapologetic genuine way that causes others notice something different which is the Lord moving through me and walking 100% in His will.
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These last 9 months have been wild! All of the weird, and awesome things we have done together are just too many to count. I will miss those moments, but will always bring me joy when remembering them. Thinking back through all that we came through, I know that you are willing to say the hard things to others. Things that may hurt in the moment, but will be very beneficial for their growth. You are a leader who steps up when no one else is, and is willing to lead even when not given the title. I know that a thing that you have mentioned a lot was asking God to break your heart for the things that break his. You have been searching for that and that is pretty cool. Keep following God and the crazy love you have for him! Love you!
Brenden
Over the course of the Race, I have gotten over some personal issues, learned to hear God, and learned to recognize areas of spiritual heaviness.
The hardest thing during the race was disciplining myself to do what I’m supposed to all the time without burning out. The greatest was seeing all of the amazing places I went with a great loving team.
I liked when we accidentally ended up in Nono in Ecuador. This led to several unexpected things which was fun.
I’m learning Japanese and moving to Japan sometime in the future.
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I’ve had many good laughs with Brenden on the race. He is a guy who is more quiet, but he has a heart for what God has led him to. He has been steady at learning Japanese even though it has been harder these last few months in Cambodia. In Ecuador, our first two months, Brenden encouraged me with the way he worked at Dunamis which in turn encouraged me to work hard too. I’ve loved talking with you and hearing all of your plans for the future. These months have been great and I can’t wait to hear how God uses you for the Kingdom!
