While there are exceptions, after talking to former and current Racers, there seems to be a pattern, a cycle, through which each Racer goes during this year journey.
Months 1-3/4: everything is new, exciting, and challenging. Each Racer discovers new things about their new friends and about themselves, and the style of the World Race is also very new.
Months 4&5: one is still discovering new things about squad mates and oneself, but the pattern of the Race (moving every few weeks and getting to know new hosts and countries) has become familiar. It has become a new kind of normal to have this migrant lifestyle, living out of a backpack.
Month 6: In the stage of “halfway done”, there seems to always come a stretch or two of just wanting to go home. The homesickness becomes very real all of a sudden.
Months 7&8: One gets into routines and habits. The World Race lifestyle has set in thoroughly, and one is very comfortable in what to expect and how they have been growing.
Month 9: People just get exhausted.
Month 10: There is no rest for the weary, and I want to sleep all the time.
Month 11: Wait, where did the time go, and can I get some extra time with my ministry this month? Wait, no, I really do want rest and sleep, and to just be done moving so often.
Now like I said, there are always exceptions. I’ve met a few people who had these stages all scrambled up, some that had different time tables, and others that have not experienced some stages. However, almost everyone I talked to said their own squads experienced a cycle like this, and I know a large portion of my squad mates were very close to this.
The part here I’m focusing on is the final stretch, Months 9 through 11, and the feelings the sentiments that have come up in multiple conversations.
One of the thoughts that have come up is how we can keep our minds from checking out and consciously choose to check in to what we are doing each moment. We haven’t found an answer. I don’t think we ever will.
One of my teammates asked me today if I was ready for the month or if I just wanted to skip to final debrief. My answer was “both”. I’ve left people and ministries so many times, that I’m just tired of it and want to be done moving. On the other hand, I love the girls with whom we are working this month, and particularly like my position helping with home school for one of the girls. This makes me stay present with greater interest.
The only way I’ve found to come close to staying present is to treat every day the same, asking God what he has for you to do that day, and doing it. Honestly, even that’s not very easy when you are exhausted, tired of traveling, and going through major life changes.
#GodIsInControl #redefiningdisciple
#THIRD
