Featured Racer: That Leah Malone, She Crazy

“My conversations aren’t about money,” she said. Something that can be a point of stress is helping her build confidence. “They’re confident about God’s ability to work through me, what God’ll do.”

Supporting a World Racer isn’t just writing another check for a mission trip. “I’m excited to be a part of something way bigger than me,” Leah said. “There could be more people doing this kind of thing,” and there are others who aren’t able to take this kind of opportunity. 

So now that support-raising doesn’t stress her, what about the World Race (which will begin in January 2012) excites her? What about it freaks her out?
For one thing, assuming responsibility that comes from what she witnesses. “After I see these things I’m gonna have to do something,” said Leah. 

There’s also letting go of the dreams she’s had for herself. “This [the World Race] is going to change me,” said Leah. “[God has] bigger dreams [that] I couldn’t see because I had my own plans.” 

The “amount of vulnerability” it will take “in order to get the most out of it,” is scary, she said. Leah realized that she had been “blocking God off to the deepest parts” of herself. Learning “how to be soft and open, let the walls down,” is going to be hard but good, she says. “I know I’m going to be able to love better.” 

How do her friends and family feel about her going on the World Race? Her mom has been supportive from day 1, she says.
“It’s more than just goodbye for a year,” said Leah. It’s “goodbye to the Leah that they know” now. She points out that she’s not the only one surrendering – “she [her mom] has to give me to the Lord.” 

“I can sense how much my life is about to change,” Leah said. She feels that she now has a better sense of “how much you have to leave behind.” 

In the beginning of this leave-taking process, she had to give up stuff, which wasn’t hard, she said. But the giving up her future plans, “boxed-in Leah” – that surrender, she said, was harder than selling things but “so good.” 

Her views on packing for the World Race have also changed since training camp.
“I wanted to serve, see the things of the world, [am] excited to do the Lord’s work,” said Leah. Now, it’s more about “how much work he’s doing in me.” 

She hasn’t left the country yet she said with confidence, “I think everyone should do the Race. Even the process of preparing has been worth it, if I died tomorrow.” 

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Leah had a few questions to ask alumni, the ones who’ve been there and done that. 

• Is it crazy to bring a small coffee pot (the kind that gets plugged in, uses filters, that sort of thing)? 
• “I read a lot of blogs,” she said, knowing the World Race isn’t “the most glorious thing. How do you handle hard days?” (hard as in dealing with differences, clashing with others, with conflict). 

I offered my few cents: 

• French press and a reserve of coffee, if it’s a must. 
• Lots of grace, trust right away, time is of the essence. 

How would you answer her questions?