I wish these words were going to be adequate to how much I have fallen more in love with the incredible people that make up my team, my squad, my squad leaders, and our fabulous squad mentor today. These people make it apparent to me that God is moving, and has called each of us specifically on this journey.
But I want to elaborate on another part of this journey that struck with me with such a profound chord that I couldn’t deny and fail to tell you about.
Tonight, I had the privilege of spending a little over an hour worshipping with the people that are going on the race. But the room was also filled with people that are the parents of the racers that are launching. Yep, the ones that raised their children to love their God, and the world. The parents who spent a dinner tonight knowing they are likely not going to get another chance to have dinner with them until the end of our 11 month journey. And they are the parents who are saying goodbye to their children tomorrow until December 2015. They are the ones who dreamed of this moment, but many will still shed their tears as they say goodbye. They helped them flap their wings, but they are staying in the nest while their children fly away. Sometimes, 9000 or more miles away.
They go back to their lives while their children explore the world. They won’t get to see the countries, the people, the stories in person. They will experience them through FaceTime, phone calls, emails, and blog posts. But the smells will not be with those. The people won’t be hugging the necks of them, but their children will. They won’t get the chance to actually be there. They won’t get to experience the tears of the worship when a country just moves the heart of a racer. They won’t be there to hear the goodbye from each host and country.
They will pray. They will beg God for protection and health. And they will pray some more.
While you are praying for us as we finish up our training here at launch, please pray for them. Pray for them as they say goodbye, and as they go back to their jobs: pastors, businessmen, pilots, welders, and so many others.
Pray as they journey to continue to give their children back to the very God who made them.
In Him,
Kristy
PS. I am still about halfway funded for the World Race. I have a deadline on April 1, 2015 and I am about $3100 away from that deadline of $11,000. Even $5 will get me closer to my deadline. I would love to partner with you!
