Here is a collaborative blog that I wrote with my squadmate, David. I hope you enjoy!
My name is Kaitlyn and I’m 22 years old.
My name is David and I’m 29 years old.
We are both followers of Jesus.
I was born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas, a predominantly Hispanic area. My family has been in the US for at least 6 generations and no one speaks a different language.
I was born in Ukraine and my family migrated to the States when I was a year old. I was raised in Vancouver, Washington. My whole family speaks Russian/Ukrainian and I became a US citizen in 2001.
We come from very different places but we are both Americans.
I came to know Jesus through a summer camp.
I grew up in church and my dad has been a pastor since I was 12.
I started actively following Jesus in high school and I started attending church and a campus ministry regularly when I went to college.
I always believed in God and knew of Him but it wasn’t until I moved out at 19 that my faith really became my own and I started seeking God.
Before the World Race, I traveled to Haiti, Mexico, Guatemala, and Kenya for international mission work.
Before the race, I went with my church to Ukraine and Mexico for short term mission trips.
I decided to go on the World Race at the end of March after deferring my vet school enrollment date. I finished school in May and left in August.
I stumbled across the world race by accident and for 2 years the thought of me signing up didn’t leave my mind so I left my job and joined this crazy 11-month adventure.
We came to know the Lord in vastly different ways but we have both put everything aside to follow Him on this crazy journey.
I attend a United Methodist Church led by a female minister.
I attend a Russian speaking church. It’s an Evangelical/Pentecostal Church.
I taught first through third grade Sunday School and helped as a Youth Group volunteer at my church.
I sing in the choir at my church. I also teach teen school and I was a youth group leader.
Our churches both serve Jesus and make disciples.
I was the Valedictorian of my high school and I have a Bachelor’s degree in biology.
I’m actually a high school drop-out that’s still working on his GED.
We both have so much wisdom to offer one another.
I have four tattoos and enjoy an occasional margarita or shot of Fireball.
I come from a church that doesn’t approve of tattoos or drinking.
Our personal convictions may be different but our hearts are both focused on Jesus.
We are different. We are unique. But we are united as one family in Christ.
Think about your own family. You are not exactly the same as your father or mother or brothers or sisters, right? Each one of you is unique but you are still a family. Sometimes things can be difficult but you get through it because you are family and you love each other. The kingdom of God is one large family full of unique people who love the Lord and strive to look more like Jesus every day.
So, why did we do this? To show that two people can be a part of an uplifting and inspiring Christian community and not agree on everything. We can serve the Lord alongside one another because Jesus is so much bigger than denominational differences or interpretations. Our faith isn’t based on rules: it is based on love. When we focus solely on loving the Lord and seeking Him, we see that we are moving in the same direction- toward the outstretched arms of the Father.
The Kingdom of God is full of people from all different countries, cultures, socioeconomic backgrounds, levels of education, and lifestyles. It is time that we start focusing on the similarities that can unite us rather than the differences that divide us.
Just like the wise Cambodian grandmother told me last month, we need to be united as the body of Christ, not divided. I have learned so much these last 8 months from David. If it weren’t for both of us being willing to step out of our comfort zones within our own churches to go on this crazy journey and experience the global church, we would have never had the opportunity to learn from one another. I’m blessed to call David my friend and brother in Christ.
