Rach and Caleb rock
They love me a lot
And miss me a lot apparently
Because when I asked my best friends what they thought of the race, this is what they said….
Rachel:
Since we met at college, Marah and I have been pretty much attached at the hip. Our personalities are pretty much opposites in every way, but by the grace of God we’ve made our friendship work through thick and thin. The World Race has been a little bit of both. On the one hand, Marah is across the world, where sometimes she doesn’t have internet or cell reception or even a way to charge her phone. But that means she’s more available to the service she’s doing and the personal growth that God has called her to throughout these past months.
It’s been really difficult for me not to have Marah here in the States during this year of my life, and not to have her just down the hall or just a phone call away. It’s been a big year for me, between my first year of graduate school, living on my own for the first time, building new relationships, and negotiating family situations. I’ve really missed having her goofy laugh, dad jokes, and light perspective around.
Still, I’m grateful that Marah has this opportunity to do some good in other people’s lives, and to concentrate so fully on God and His calling for her life. The growth in faith and personal reflection that she shared with me just a few months into this journey was incredible and inspiring. She has committed herself to continuing that growth and devoting her efforts to finding God’s kingdom and love in even one-on-one interactions, with friends or with strangers.
And when we do have conversations over spotty wi-fi and blurry screens, I see the incredible growth and vulnerability that this experience has allowed her to pursue. Our conversations are less frequent, but they have only increased in quality. We talk about what we always talk about: our lives, our challenges, our joys. But the presence of God is stronger now in our conversations than it has ever been, and this has opened us up to things that are bigger than us. It has been such a blessing for me to have that in a friend, even if she’s thousands of miles away. I thank God that He has used the Race so powerfully in her life, and in mine.
But I still can’t wait for her to come home.
Caleb:
When Marah first told me about her wild dream to go on The Race, I didn’t think it would actually happen. It seemed like such a huge undertaking. When she told me she was going, it felt surreal. And when she actually left, I had to face the reality that I wouldn’t see Marah for almost a year. We all miss her so much, but the reality is that God is using her in ways he couldn’t while she was in the USA: she is reaching people far outside of her normal realm. Acts 1:8 says “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Marah’s Jerusalem is her hometown. Her Judea and Samaria are her home state and region. Marah has been reaching those areas with her heart and actions for some time, and she decided it was time to go “to the ends of the earth” as God has called her.
So, even though I miss Marah a great deal, I know she is accomplishing so much for the Kingdom that this time apart is well worth it. Hearing about all of her adventures and missions in these far-off places makes me excited for her and those whom she serves there. She has been able to relay some of the things she has learned to me, and I’m so glad God is using this time to grow her! I can’t wait to hear the rest of her experiences and lessons. And while I’m excited for her to be away and serving intentionally, I think I’m even more excited for when she returns; her impact on her family and friends back home is going to be incredible.
We are all serving the Lord in different ways – He can use anything and everything we bring Him – but there is something significant about missions. We are all fulfilling the Great Commission as long as we are sharing the Gospel with others, but missions like The Race require sacrifice to an extreme extent. God calls us to lay down our lives for Him; to die to ourselves. Marah has certainly taken that to heart, and put herself on a journey that few are willing or able to. I know that God is very proud of her, and smiles down on His daughter each day she arises to serve Him well. She is daily dying to herself to reach others for His Kingdom, and it’s so comforting to know that.
Even with all of this confidence in her journey for the Lord, I think I speak for everyone when I say we miss Marah so much! I’ll admit there are many times when I’m selfish and want her to come back home sooner. But speaking with her and hearing just how content she is in the Lord and the work He has given her, I guess we can wait.
