Dear Lizzy,
I got your letter. You know, the one you wrote to me at your final debrief for Keith, Karen, and Jeremy to give to me at my first debrief. I am sure that when you asked God whose name to pick, you didn’t actually know me. But the whole time, I actually knew who you were. I followed along with only one person from V-Squad. I never subscribed, but I could press the ‘L’ key on my computer and your website would auto fill in the search bar. I don’t know why I followed along and never subscribed, but I was drawn to your blog. Maybe because you launched on your World Race right when my World Race experience was just beginning or maybe God knew that you would be writing me a letter at the end of your Race. Only He knows, but I am thankful for His wonderful plan. I feel like we have been connected since the beginning. You launched the same day that I sent a screenshot to my best friend about the August 2018 route reveal. I then launched exactly one year later, the same day you did. Our routes are completely different, but we get to learn from the same coaches and mentor. I know how impactful your letter was to me, so I can only imagine the impact of the letter you received from someone on M-Squad at your first debrief was for you.
I know personally you would have had no idea what to write to me. Yet, the Holy Spirit guided your hand to write the exact words I would need. I am going to be honest. Month one was great. Just like you said, it was “full of joy, growth, laughter, and great community.” Debrief has been a completely different story though. God has been revealing parts of my past that I need to truly release to Him. I need to truly forgive people in my past, but I also need to learn to truly forgive God for bringing me through the situations that He did. I don’t know why He brought me through everything that I have been through, but I know He is good. It reminds me of the C.S. Lewis quote, “Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good.” He is so incredibly good. So there is definitely a reason, He just hasn’t revealed it to me yet. You said it yourself, “Your story and your words are powerful and will lead others closer to Him throughout this journey.” I have full faith that God will use my story for His good, but it will be in His time, not mine. In the meantime, I will dive deeper into His word and His goodness.
In your letter you talked about how bringing parts of your past into the light can be scary but also healing. I know that you didn’t know this. Yet, God did. Two nights ago we had a session where we released our broken pieces to each other to bring them into the light, just like 1 John 1:5-7 says to. It’s crazy how the Holy Spirit led you to write, “I encourage you to be vulnerable and share your broken pieces with your team as well as people you meet along the way. When we allow God to tear down those walls and come out of hiding, healing can begin. There’s something about bringing those things to light, that can be scary, but that’s the enemy talking.” God knew exactly what I would need to hear and you got to deliver that message to me.
I am truly inspired by your letter. And I am truly inspired by the God that we get to serve. Together, through the same trip, at different times, but for the rest of our lives. I will be praying for you and a year full of great adventure with Him!
Joyfully His,
Regan Horn
“The Lord is good, a stronghold in a day of distress; he cares for those who take refuge in him.” Nahum 1:7
For everyone who is a little confused about this letter:
Lizzy Bodkin finished her World Race in June of 2018. She launched in August of 2017, so one year before me. Her squad, V-Squad, had the same Coaches (Keith and Karen) and Mentor (Jeremy) as my squad has currently. At V-Squad’s final debrief in June of 2018, Keith, Karen and Jeremy had them pray over our names and then write us a letter for our first debrief (just like they had M-Squad do for V-Squad). The letter that Lizzy wrote to me was exactly what I needed to hear. God works in wonderful ways like that, and I felt the need to respond.
As always, I invite you to make my journey, your journey. Here are three simple ways:
- The most important, PRAY.
- Subscribe. (If you want to subscribe to my blog and stay up to date on what God is doing in my life, click the orange “Subscribe for Updates” in the left-hand corner.)
- Share. (If you like what you read or feel called to, please share my blogs on any form of social media!)
Also, if you are feeling called to support the World Race in a financial way, a couple of my teammates are still in need of help. Click on their names below if you would like to know more about them!
