Yes I didn't quite "finish" my race, and left halfway into month 6. So take this for what its worth and read my last blog if you want to know why I left. I've been reflecting on what I learned from my race and how that has transferred over to life back in America. I think this will be a good read for current world racers, post racers, and even future racers. Some of it may apply to you now, in a few months, or in a year. Simply read and apply the things that pertain to you.
1.) Your strengths will still be there: I have tremendous favor in evangelism and I know that it's a huge part of my call. Although on the race I didn't get to do much evangelism because I didn't speak the same languages as people and couldn't just go anywhere alone I still have the same gift and call. It hasn't left, in fact it's still a huge strength of mine and because God taught me a lot about being relational on the race I think some of the encounters with folks I've been having lately are more meaningful because I am more well rounded, sincere, and even more full of love for the person I'm talking to.
So don't worry so much about losing your gifts even if you don't use them daily, the bible actually says that your gifts will never leave you:
"For the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable"
Romans 11:29
2.) The race was nothing I thought it would be: Surprise! It's not what anyone thought it'd be. Neither is life, don't let that shake you, or warp your mind into thinking you are not making a difference and God isn't doing anything in your life. There were numerous times I thought this, however God used those times to teach me so many things. For instance, in Nepal we weren't doing a whole lot of "ministry" with the Nepali people. However I learned so much about my team and being a team leader I learned so many new ways of how to lead and guide them by trying new techniques and things that I never would have tried before especially with my military background. It was a rough month, we all got sick, and we didn't feel like we "did" a whole lot for the kingdom. But I preached a message this past sunday at a church in Hawaii, our month in Nepal and what happened there was one of the only countries I talked about and shared what God taught me there.
3.) Life is bigger than just "The World Race": Get out of the tunnel. Look at the big picture and ask God to remove your tunnel vision. After leaving the race for many things God had spoken to me about doing I've realized that we often get tunnel vision on the race thinking this is how "life" will be forever. It won't be, at all. God asked me to walk away to pursue ministry and Bethels Supernatural School of Ministry as well as numerous other things. God has a lot of things for you to do too, maybe things in your hometown, maybe things abroad. Remember that your life is a race, it never stops, this is christianity! Jesus said to "make disciples of ALL nations" not just neighborhoods or in 11 countries over 11 months of your life. There is a lot of work to do and you've been a part of it, you'll continue to be a part of it throughout the rest of your life if you choose to. Don't get tunnel vision, your life isn't over, just this small part of life during the 11 month World Race.
4.) Don't leave the race early: But wait didn't you?! Yes I did, however God gave me specific directions, a calling and even a date that I would walk away from the race to pursue a larger portion of ministry that I had been doing online, and to pursue ministry school. It was months of prayer, half a dozen people had dreams to confirm it as well as what my God told me in my journal and through numerous people over the course of 3 months. I left on the exact day He told me to and I've walked in favor since. As I walked away it was evident to me that if I hadn't heard from God this would have been a HUGE mistake. Thankfully God had spoken to me for months and I sought counsel and prayer from others before making my decision. God gave me specific things to do when I left the race and I find myself in Hawaii preaching 2 sundays in a row at 2 separate churches and doing many other ministry things such as feeding the homeless during the week. God calls you to things, pursue them and don't leave from your last orders until you have new ones. Leaving the race like I did isn't the call for everyone and my story and why I left isn't your excuse to leave as well. Pray, hear, and obey God, it's as simply as that. You heard Him to come on the race, so continue in the direction He's given you until He specifically says otherwise. Start strong and finish strong.
5.) Don't take to much time to "rest" after the race: Yes it could be weird to get back home and get off the race, but don't find yourself in the famous "World Race funk". Come home and relax for a day or two and then put your hands back to the plow. I found myself taking a day off from ministry and life and almost went crazy. Maybe its just me but I think less is more in this situation. Don't give yourself a week to watch 6 seasons of Lost and then try to get back into life. This is life, set out and continue to serve when you get home, every ministry in the world needs volunteers, seriously. Your church, local homeless ministries, etc. If they don't need your help, then talk to your city and do outreach projects or help with whatever they need. Don't just come home and sit on the couch and watch tv for a month, and get into a depressive funk. I don't think that is the intentions of God at all in returning from a mission trip. I think God wants us to take what we've learned and apply it immediately! You've seen the needs around the world, now take that same mentality and love to the streets around your house. Stay busy serving God and loving others. Re-entry can be difficult but it's worse if you sit at home and drown yourself in your sorrows. Continue to serve.
"I passed by the field of a sluggard,
by the vineyard of a man lacking sense,
and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles,
and its stone wall was broken down."
Proverbs 24:30-31
6.) People won't understand me: Look I've done 3 combat tours in Iraq and came home to a country that never understood me then either. It's okay. No one will quite understand everything that happened on your race and thats just fine. They clearly weren't there. Let them in on the good stuff, the hardships, the humor, the culture of the race, etc. Give people feedback and continue that in life, its a good habit for you to continue. I gave a pastor of a church feedback and it impacted him in such a way that he asked me to repeat it so he could record it. Don't worry if people don't understand you, they don't need to understand completely and there isn't anything that you can say to make them understand. Just tell your stories, and share your pictures, and enjoy their interest in what God has done in your life. You may just ignite a spark in their heart to do something crazy for God as well.
7.) Quit complaining: If you're still on the race, STOP! If you're getting ready to go, don't even start, if you're already home don't let it ruin everything. The race is full of drama. It's life, it's what happens with 50 people and all their issues and stuff. Mitigate it, and refuse to be a part of it. Don't bring it home with you either. There is power in the tongue and it's like a plague that spreads throughout everyone and everything. In the Marine Corps we always sought to keep a PMA, a Positive Mental Attitude. Keep your attitude positive, the world doesn't need any more complainers.
8.) Realize that you've changed: It can be frustrating to know that you've changed or you can embrace the fact that you have and use it to your advantage. For instance I can't stand spending money on things I don't really need. Everything is so expensive here in America, especially in Hawaii, but I'm using this to my advantage. If I don't truly need it, I don't stress, I just walk away. Yes prices can blow your mind, or you can slowly just get back into the swing of life here in America and minimize your spending like you learned(hopefully) on the race. It'll be okay, if needs be ramen is still a cheap option 🙂
9.) Embrace opportunity and dream a little: If you are just getting home and haven't been dreaming or asking for direction, start now. If you're on the race now it's okay to dream about whats next, if you haven't left yet for your race it's okay to dream as well. The race is a wonderful place to learn what your calling and gifts are and what/where/who you have favor with. God uses it as a chance each month to experience something new, somewhere new, and new people. Learn to identify your favor and follow it. People live less than great lives because they try to be someone else and don't follow the favor that they have, don't let that be you. Identify where God uses you best, and jump in with both feet. Dream and ask God for visions and direction for the rest of your life. It's okay in month one to be asking God for His life plan for you. Don't focus on it all day everyday, but take the time to dream and ask God what He's placed in your heart. There is show much God has shown me over the last 6 months, I'm now daring to put what He's put in my heart and seeking to fulfill those dreams in my life. I realize that without His help, favor and direction I can't do many of them on my own. Seek Him out, He's got the answers and it's up to use to seek.
"It is the glory of God to conceal a thing:
but the honor of kings is to search out a matter."
Proverbs 25:2
10.) Take what you've learned and apply it: I maybe reiterating this, however it's important. The things you learned such as how to fundraise and such, apply that later in life and help others with those things as well. I'm fundraising for Bethels Supernatural School of Ministry, and guess what? I'm using the exact same methods to raise $5,500 that I did to raise nearly $15,500. I'm also helping others fundraise and sharing with them all that I learned. Continue to speak life into your friends and family and continue feedback and community. It is an end of a season, however a lot of things continue throughout our life, take the good with you and toss out the bad. Refine some things so they fit better into your daily life and roll with it. It's okay to continue saying things like "press in" and "walk in" etc. Continue to speak prophetically and share images with people, continue to pray with and in front of people. Remember that your affirmation comes from God and no one else.
11.) Lastly, NEVER loose passion: Remember why you are doing what you are doing. Revisit those promises and remember the faithfulness of God in bringing you this far wherever that is right now. Remember He'll continue to be faithful as it says in 2 Timothy 2:13. Never forget that God is faithful to get you through every season and He's equipped you for everything you need for life and godliness(2 Peter 1:3). People may tell you well you've reached that hump, everyone gets lax and falls into a funk. Well fight your way out of it and focus on Him. Life is to short for us to stay lax in a passionless life. Fight the good fight of faith, God doesn't want us luke warm(Book of Revelation) He wants us on fire. Do whatever you need to do to get your team and squad motivated, don't let the devil bring you down, you look at Christ and pursue Him recklessly!
Well thats it. Not a complete list but I hope it helps. I've been in America for a few days and off the race for a little over a week. I'm sure there are so many more things that I could write, and I'm sure there are many things that I will learn and write in the future on a new blog site I'm starting up soon. Just remember that trusting in God doesn't always look pretty and faith isn't the safe and easy road. Abraham in Genesis 22 was told to sacrifice his son and although He knew God would provide it looked bleak as he was bringing that dagger down on his promised son. However He knew that God was faithful, He knew the character of God and he trusted in the Father and His promises. Journal, pray, sing, worship, die to yourself and live for Him! Don't worry about what others think about, He's the only One that matters and He is proud of you! He loves you, and I love you. I don't even know you, but the fact that you have breath in your lungs verifies to me that you have the creative value and nature of God. God is good, always, and He'll never leave you no matter what. Keep your head up and as we say in the Corps, "Stay in the fight!"
A small part of my new ministry ventures are giving prophetic words to people via a free online personal prophecy site. If you would like a word, just click this link http://www.freepersonalprophecy.org/ministers/andy_frasure/contact_form.htm and I'll get your Word as soon as I can. Please allow at up to 10 days before receiving your word. I started doing these in December and did 200+ on the world race. I now have a little more time to do words and I would love to seek God for what He has for you. Thanks for reading my blog, I'll be posting a link to a new blog soon and would love ya'll to connect with me via Facebook at Andy Frasure or email: [email protected]
Lastly!! Thank you so much to ALL of my supporters! Whether big or small your donations allowed me to reach hundreds if not thousands of people around the world and share Gods love. If it wasn't for you I wouldn't have help a girl in my arms while she was dying of malaria. I wouldn't have prayed for sick children that were infected with HIV. I wouldn't have prayed for and shared the love of Jesus with a woman who died under my hands. I wouldn't have lead a team of 6 crazy American christians across India and Nepal. I wouldn't have preached nightly from the town squares of over a dozen villages in India. I wouldn't have learned all I learned, and I wouldn't be able to share the wisdom and revelations that I received. From the depths of my heart thank you, you guys made the last 6 amazing months of my life possible. Be blessed!
