What I wish I’d known before I started this journey…
- Don’t expect yourself to magically become perfect as soon as you start the trip. There were times before the Race when I’d put off good habits or not talk to someone due to fear and pride, and subconsciously I’d think, ‘It’s okay. Once I’m on the Race, I’ll get it right.’ Only to find that a plane ride to another country doesn’t change you. Don’t put that expectation on yourself, because it just doesn’t work that way. Start living the way you want to while on the race, right now! During Month 1, one of my leaders shared this really good piece of advice: We try to perform life instead of live life. It doesn’t change because we’re in (insert country). Where did you leave off? What’s the next step? Don’t have it all together. Just grow. What are we “supposed” to be doing? vs. What’s the next step?
- Chase after your goals. Remember the reasons you wanted to come on the Race? What you wanted to grow in? Those take being intentional with the small moments that you have. (You can start this before your trip! And if you’ve already launched, its not too late! Today is the perfect day to start!) Decide to spend time with the Lord every morning, and not only when you feel like it. Go to God for comfort, not to food, social media, and friends, etc. Those long-term, big-picture goals are accomplished in the day-to-day decisions. The small things make up the big things, and the big things can’t exist without the small things. Be intentional! It’s so worth it! I personally wish I would have done better at this.
- It’s okay to struggle. The race has really hard moments. I struggled in my relationship with God for the majority of my race, and I was ashamed. I’ve learned that one of the most important things to have is a soft, teachable, and humble heart that is submitted to God. Let Him lead you so you can grow. He is trustworthy and good. His thoughts are higher than my thoughts and His ways are higher than my ways.
- Don’t stress over packing. I was really nervous that I wouldn’t buy and pack the “right” things. But being on the Race, I’ve realized that all my worry and stress was TOTALLY unnecessary. If you are lacking something, there are places to buy it! And chances are really good that someone else on your squad will have whatever you may forget. Don’t psych yourself out. I promise you’ll be okay:)
- Enjoy every moment. The day before my high school graduation, it hit me: that part of my life was over. Childhood, growing up, the familiar ways of life—they were not going to be the same as they’d always been. I knew that in a similar way, the race was going to fly by, and I didn’t want to miss out on living it because of stress or worry. Appreciate those small, everyday moments. And take advantage of the opportunities that you have to advance the kingdom! Take advantage of every opportunity because these are evil times. Because of this, don’t be ignorant, but understand the Lord’s will. Ephesians 5:16-17
- This is only the beginning. You will learn A LOT on the Race. You will gain community that you might have never experienced before. You have this amazing opportunity to get the know and/or continue knowing Jesus on a relationship level. And the thought of life after the race might seem intimidating or dull. The awesome things you’ve put into practice, and this wonderful life you’ve been living doesn’t have to end there! You can KEEP growing and living for the Lord after the Race. Goodness isn’t confined or limited to this time. Because God is the same before, during, and after the race. Be full of hope!
- Fight for community. Community is beautiful and hard all at the same time. Everybody involved is human, and we all make mistakes in our relationships with one another. Be quick to forgive and even quicker to ask for forgiveness. Seek to understand rather than to be understood. Choose to love always, because we are a church, and it’s so worth the work. Also, TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE COMMUNITY AROUND YOU! These people have so many awesome perspectives and there are so many things you can learn from them. Take time to talk, share, and listen to those around you.
- Lastly, and most importantly, lean into God. He leads us through the hard things and the amazing things! He gives us joy, peace, gentleness, and love. Nothing is possible without Him, but everything is possible with Him. Don’t pull away from Him. Abide in Him and He will abide in you. He is so good. Let His love flood over you. That’s the only way we are capable of doing anything worthwhile. And His love is always enough.
If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging symbol. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains , but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
We love each other because he loved us first.
1 John 4:19
I was realizing the importance of remembering these things as I go home. I won’t be a “perfect missionary” who has it all together. I’m a work in progress. I’ll struggle and I’ll grow. I’ll need to be intentional and focus on the goal: Grow in my relationship with God. And do things that will get me closer to the goal. God is my Dad, and I can and should come to Him with everything, because He is good.
•For 6 days in June, the Racers have an opportunity to come back to Gainesville, Georgia to the Base for Project Searchlight. We will have sessions about how to readjust to life at home and encouraging us to continue living out what we learned.
I have to pay for the majority of my flights, both home from the field, and to and from Project Searchlight. From my research so far, it looks like it will be around $1,100. If you’d like donate towards that, email my dad at:
*Don’t donate on my blog, because it won’t go to me:)•
