There have been a few times on this trip where I have been floored by the impact and ripple effects of what we are doing out here. Sometimes I get a random e-mail encouragement from a stranger or someone I haven't seen in years. Other times it's literally feeling the prayers of people interceding for me. God timing is impecable- he has placed the exact encouragement I have neded at the precise time that I needed it this entire trip.
I just got one of the most meaningful facebook messages I have ever read. I have a buddy from Noah's Ark, Dan Geu, who is now a teacher. He is teaching social studies, and has created a thing in his classroom called "World Race Fridays". Every week, he teaches his kids about the country that I am in or one that I have been to on the race. He teaches cultural information based on his own research as well as e-mails that I send him. He wants the kids to have a more broad and world-based perspective and to know what God is doing throughout the world- the incredible ways that He is working and moving.
The facebook message I just got from him was a word for word copy of 16 of his studen't letters to me. They made me tear up. Here are 5 of them:
Dear Kyle,
Hi! How are you doing? I’m doing good! What is the temperature there usually? Are the buildings strong? Which place do you like the best? How is the food? Is there any you like or don’t like? What kind of animals live in the places you visited?
You’re doing a good job spreading the Word! Keep spreading it and God is traveling with you.
I obcioiusly am Christian. I am Japanese and American. I am many nationalities! THe ones I mentioned are the biggest ones. I play piano. My favorite sport is soccer.
Hope your having a good time!
Good Luck!
Noah Polyin (6th grade)
“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19
Dear Kyle,
Did you like it in Africa? How was it working with the kids? Do they have pets their (dogs/ other-kangaroos) Did you sing songs and play games with the kids? I would love to do what your doing today someday.
From,
6th grader Hannah Weymier
P.S. you and Mr. Gue look alike!
Dear Kyle,
Hey my name’s Zachary Robel. I’m 13 years old, and I’m the only boy in the 8th grade class of nine at Elm Grove Lutheran School. We’ve been following your travels at school, and I’m very interested in and supportive of what you’re doing. I also have a few questions for you concerning the trip. Firstly, which countries that you’ve been to have you enjoyed the most? I’m sure they’ve all been great, but if you had to pick your favorite, what would it be? I also have another question; which form of church worship do you prefer? I mean, here at Elm Grove, it’s always sitting in the pews singing hymns, and well… admittedly it doesn’t trigger my faith in the best ways. But last year, I went to this place called YouthQuake, a Christian gathering of people around the state, and it had a much more lively, fun form of worship that triggered my faith and emotions so much more… which seems similar to the daily worship services in Rwanda that you’ve been to. You know, with the singing and dancing and well… the liveliness of it all. It’s kind of hard to explain, but I just feel like my faith isn’t being… exposed to it’s full extent. And I’m wondering what you think triggers your faith. That’s all. I have time to write now, since class is ending and this is due, but if I had time I’d write more. Please respond, Thanks!
Zachary Robel (8th grade)
Kyle,
I think what you’re doing is amazing. It’s really cool that you can connect with the people and make new friends while sharing the gospel. It sounds very interesting and a great experience, but I know that there are many struggles ivolved; we will pray for you in your time of need. Life changing opportunities, I heard, have come out of your low points. What miracles have you experienced? Also, how did you have to sign up? Are their tests and rules? Limits and regulations? Oh, and one more thing, does any of the countries you’be visited have an ice rink? Is it really small? I love to figure skate, and on competition I was at, there were skaters from Argentina, but their home rink was half the size. Some families in our organization took care of them while they were here, but my family didn’t get a chance to . Even though I would’ve loved the opportunity
– Mary Beth (7th grade)
P.S. Is their anyone there who lost a mom/dad? Because I would like them to know that something good will become of it. God has a plan for them 
. I was really mad when my mom died, but I learned to accept it, and it has made me a better person.
Dear Kyle,
I am very interested in what you are doing. I hope it all goes well. I will be praying for you. First, let me tell you a little bit about me. My name is Callie. I am 11 years old and in 5th grade. I have 2 sisters and 1 brother Megan is 8 years old and in 3rd grade. Madeline is 7 and in 1st grade. Caleb is 18 months and is so cute. My favorite color is purple. Mr. Geu is my social studies teacher. As I said before I am very interested in the World Race. Mr. Geu talks about it with us every Friday, He also read your e-mail out loud to the class. Thanks for telling us all about it!!!! I also have some questions/ Do you do any sight-seeing on your trips?? How do you get from place to place? Do you ever get sick of all the church?? (and truthfully we all do at one point or another !!) Do you see a lot of poverty?? Thanks again for participating in the World Race!! I hope I get to join the World Race someday!! (even if it does mean a lot of church;)) God bless you!!!
Your friend’s student,
Callie Hedtke (5th grade)
Thank you kids for your amazing encouragement- you have no idea how much it means. These get me SO FIRED UP. God is raising up a new generation that have a heart to do missions and go to the nations. HECK YEA! Let's fulfill that Great Commission!!!
Another sweet reality is that whatever God chooses to do with us in the nations, we are going to be FIRE-STARTERS in the communities we are in when we get home. After the things we have experienced on the race and the ways we have grown, the stirring of the Holy Spirit in us is going to get the juices flowing in the people and places that we return to.
If you are on the race right now, don't ever forget the crazy impact that we are having with both the nations and people back at home. Keep fighting the good fight every day, keep blogging, and keep putting Jesus first.
Me AND the Tiger are FIRED UP right now
