Over a week ago, the January 2009 World Race squad finished their race and are now back home in different corners of North America. In about a month, the January 2010 World Race squads begin their pilgrimage. And in between, you have hundreds of current World Racers actively running their Race and scores of World Race alumni scattered in the US/Canada and overseas.
Christie Albaugh making disciples in the Philippines at Kids International Ministries
Regardless of how you are connected to the World Race community, you’ll discover that “out of sight, out of mind” doesn’t hold completely true. You may find another reality in play; that in all the wherever’s, with whomever’s, whatever’s and whenever’s of life, whether we like it or not, life goes on.
Daina Norusis shares some of her realization on how life goes on at home after learning of the sudden passing of her friend, Saule, while in Turkey:
Live for today, not tomorrow.
I have no plans after the Race. I’m okay with that, simply taking
things one year at a time. I simply have to. . . the Lord has other things in mind. And he’s
showing me I can’t live for that moment. I can’t live for tomorrow,
because it’s not guaranteed. He called me here to this moment, to this place, for a reason and I need to live for today while I have it.
Jenni Weir, a newly minted World Race alumna, has just begun her final transition/season of re-entry:
It is weird. Kinda surreal. This was one of those moments I forgot to think about before I left for the race. The leaving part. Saying good-bye. I am grateful for all this year has brought me, taught me and blessed me with. I am touched by the people I have met, lived with and grown to love. . .Already, so many emotions, questions and feelings have crossed my mind. I feel like everything is at a standstill…what to do and where to go is up to me…yet right now, I do not want to go anywhere or do anything. I just want to be. TO soak in the presence of Jesus. To continue to be romanced by Him and experience his love, goodness and faithfulness of this year!
Caroline Crawford is a January 2008 World Race alumna; she had finished the Race for the first time just over a year ago. Now a former August 2009 World Race squad leader, she presses onto the next phase of life:
I’m still in shock that my time with them is completed. But I know this is good and that God’s timing is perfect. And I know that what is best for them now is to move forward and grow out here on the field with new leaders. It is that understanding which makes it so much easier to graciously step out.
See how God is moving in Tanna Burge‘s life to get her moving:
Within 2 hours I sold enough stuff to pay both my mortgage payments AND the leasing fee required by the company handling my house. . . I’ve always heard these stories about God providing a specific amount of money for needs, but I never EVER thought He would do that in my life. I always thought it was such a cool testimony and even joked to myself how fun it would be if God ever did that for me. . . well, He did!
Please keep this simple yet profound reality in mind, particularly in light of the technology fast the August 2009 World Race squads are on for the month of December. Know that these Racers miss their friends, family, churches, and supporters and hold you all dear in their hearts. Remember them as you throw cheesy Christmas sweater parties, watch your favorite holiday movies and exchange gifts.
A production of the Nativity by the men of the October 2008 World Race, in Kaptagat, Kenya.
Pictured here from left to right: Mark Schandel, Braedon Tabor, Dennis Ho and Brandon Clayton.
Most of all, remember the words of Steven Curtis Chapman when he sings:
“But there’s more to this life than living and dying
more than just trying to make it through the day
More to this life, more than these eyes alone can see
more than just trying to make it through the day
More to this life, more than these eyes alone can see
that there’s more than this life alone can be.”
