What the heckle, you guys. We’re halfway through month 6. We’re halfway through this whole thing. I’ve been trying to think of some way to commemorate this milestone, but maybe I’ll just write some advice for future Racers:
1. Look, when you sign up for the Race, you’re relinquishing control. You’re not going to get to decide what you eat, where you can or can’t go by yourself, or what to do with the bulk of your time. You’re into that guy back home? TOO BAD. You’re on the Race. You can’t do anything about it until month 12. You want to drive your car? TOO BAD. It’s too big to fit in your carry-on. You want to look and feel cute like you did back in the States? That’s funny.
2. Pack light. I bought a 60L pack so I could purposely bring less, and I’ve used everything I brought. Traveling heavy gets real old real fast. Bring clothes that make you feel like you. Bring a shirt that says “I’ve given up” because you’ll get to that point, and it’s easier to say that directly instead of people assuming it based on the status of your face and hair. Bring Ibuprofen. Bring one of those little solar-powered inflatable lanterns. Bring your guitar.
3. Decide to let God wreck you. I decided that the night before we boarded our first flight to Colombia. You will come face to face with your sin nature— with the things you wish you could just snap your fingers and change about yourself. You’ll face people who have exponentially less than you, and then you’ll go back to the place you’re staying and catch yourself complaining about something. You’ll feel rebellious because of your lack of control. You will be forced to realize that the box you put God in isn’t nearly big enough. You will be wrecked, and Jesus will build you into something better. But only if you allow him to.
4. Don’t withhold love. Oh, sure, you’ll love the people you meet all over the world— that’s what you signed up for, anyways. You’re a missionary! But remember to love the team you’re with— the people you’re forced to live and work and eat and have team time with every single day. Make sure to love yourself. Remember what I said before? God will wreck you. Give yourself grace to realize you will never fix every flaw, never overcome every sin, never be your perfect self. And that’s okay, because all of that was taken care of on the cross— Jesus has already covered all of it. Don’t withhold love from yourself, especially when you’re reflecting on every way you could be better.
5. Post online about what you’re doing. People back home want to know— your family and friends and financial supporters are your partners in this. Highlight the wins. Be transparent about the losses. Tell the stories of people you meet. Document memories, whether they’re mountaintops of joy or valleys of grief. Let others walk with you this year, but check your heart when you post an Instagram— are you exploiting the people you’re serving for likes and admiration? Be self-aware enough to know when that answer might be yes. Give yourself grace. Let God continue to break your pride.
6. Like the great C.S Lewis said, “There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” The next day, the next month, your year on the Race, the life waiting for you after you finish this crazy adventure of a year, is a blank page to you, but to God, it’s already a beautiful painted canvas. Trust that the best is yet to come. Jesus is always good. Always.
