My first few days on the race were nothing that I could have ever expected. I’m currently writing this blog in the Johannesburg airport- we have a 12ish hour layover here! Day 6 of the race and more than half of those days have been spent traveling. The other half were in Atlanta, at Launch. I left for Atlanta early Friday morning. I was so nervous and scared and excited all at the same time. Laying in bed the night before, with all of my stuff packed, I reminisced on where I was 2 years ago: I was in that exact same bed, having a conversation that would completely change my life! My friend, Noelle and I were sitting & talking. She starts talking about this thing called the World Race. “It’s this nine month mission trip to a bunch of different countries”. She pulled up the website on her computer so that we could look. I stared at this exact same website that you are reading this blog on, with a fire building in my heart as I read previous racers stories and testimonies! I will never forget that incredible feeling.
One year later: I’m sitting in the exact same bed. This time, I’m applying for my own race. I scroll through the pages of the application, shaking because I’m so excited.
Another year later: I’m laying in the exact same bed, closing my eyes for the last time at home for 9 months. As I lay there, I’m thinking that this is all so incredible. The way that God intentionally placed people and events in my life that would lead me to do something like this. Everything that happened in the last 2 years of my life, shaped me into the person I am at this moment. The person sitting on the airport floor in South Africa, smelly from wearing the same clothes for 4 days, exhausted from sleeping in a bus/airplane seat for 3 nights. I lay there in bed knowing that I would come back different. It was overwhelming.
My parents came to launch with me. They were there for 24 hours and got to experience some amazing stuff. Going through the entire process of preparing for the race, it wasn’t always easy to discuss my intentions and my heart behind this mission with my parents. Those 2 years were filled with a lot of doubt and frustration on both ends. I was really nervous for them to come to launch, I didn’t know what was going to happen.
But, what did happen, was nothing short of amazing. My Mom and Dad were able to truthfully understand what this was all about. What serving the kingdom with your life is all about, and why I choose to do it. It was such a special moment, to be able to worship and pray with them. To be vulnerable with them. I believe that my parents came back changed from that quick trip, and that our relationship will never be the same. Tears were shed as I said goodbye to them. I have so much faith that the Holy Spirit will work in their lives while I am away. I am proud of my parents, and I’m taking those sweet moments of love with me on my journey. Those memories are comforting.
So, after all of that, I was finally on my way to my new home. I still am! We took 2 busses to Washington DC. We were stuck in a bus station from 2:30am, to 7:00am! Sleeping on a nasty floor, just trying to get some rest. People kept coming up and asking who we were and what we were doing. We were prayed over by strangers. We prayed over strangers. The gospel was spread to people at 4am in a janky bus station. Next we waited in an airport all day in DC. We finally boarded our first plane to Qatar. 13 hours. Then we got on another plane to Johannesburg. 9 more hours. We arrived here at 4:15 am Thursday. I’ve been sitting on this floor for 11 hours so far, a few more to go. Next: a final plane to Port Elisabeth, then a quick drive over to…. JEFFERY’S BAY, SA!!
These days have been completely exhausting. I am ready to rest. I am also so thankful for everyone reading this. Without your support, prayerfully and financially, I literally would not be here. Radical change in my family would not have happened, all of the things I am going to do wouldn’t happen without you. I’m overwhelmed with gratitude and everything else. Thanks so much for reading and checking in on me!
-Sam
