Five hours of giggling down I-75 is all that stood between training and normal life.
But rewind to last Sunday morning, when I was at the breakfast table with a sweet Canadian named Mandi. No one really knew anyone else yet, and the dining room was a mess of tired, sweaty strangers (with no coffee). We were picking at our frozen bread and jam, and she asked, “So, how did you get to the World Race?”
“I… um…”
At this point, my face wrinkled up like an awkward toddler, and I just cried. At breakfast. To a girl I had literally just met. What I explained to her later was this:
How did I get to the World Race?
Eric Davis loves me.
My home church decided to cover 10% of my funds.
Kyle Gach believes in me being part of something huge.
My Uncle Pat spoils me.
Eric Schroeder is consistently generous.
Bri and Dan Parker are making willing sacrifices.
My parents made sure I would finish college without debt.
Diana Reichuber swallowed her pride and played guitar in front of lots and lots of people at our concert so they would all donate a few dollars.
These faces filed through my head like a picture book, and the list keeps going. As grateful as I am, I couldn’t help but think, “Why am I leaving them?”
And that’s what came out in a snotty mess the first morning I spent talking to Mandi Lee. Over the days that followed, so much happened to erase that fear and propel me forward. I’ll tell you all about it in my next post.
It comes down to this:
I got to the World Race because of YOU. Because you love me, and trust that by God, I am capable of changing the world. You may not be going with me, but by your donations and prayer and constant support, YOU are making this happen for me.
Thank you.
Also, this is Mandi. We’re going on the World Race together!
-Katie
