We’ve heard how fashionista Kristen Pfund went from studying at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising to working for Perry Ellis to…the World Race?
Yes, that’s what we’ve come to know and love about Kristen, she’s not your normal Racer. Actually, she’s not your normal anything.
And we’re okay with that.
Kristen is full of life and laughter–never a dull moment if she’s got something to do with it. She’s even found a way to keep extreme in her vocabulary by snowboarding (her favorite sport) in Serbia and shark diving in South Africa.
One defining moment on Kristen’s Race came during a crusade in Mozambique when she and her teammates prayed for people with demons.
At first, it was hard to fathom, but Kristen saw some of these people “set free and praising God,” an experience that caused her team to grow closer together.
For Kristen, the Race wasn’t just fun and games and casting out demons. She faced personal challenges, as well–challenges that developed her character for the better.
“You’re meant to stand out.” Kristen recalled her squad leader’s words.
Growing up, Kristen felt like she always needed to blend in, and the World Race marked a time when she discovered what it meant to walk in freedom–freedom in worship, leading, and to just be herself.
As a team leader, she found herself making decisions based on what everybody else would like best, trying to please her teammates and contacts.
“That all burned me out quick,” said Kristen.
Things turned around when one of her team members asked, “Who are you leading for?” This helped Kristen refocus and find her acceptance in the Lord, not people. She understood that if God had faith in her, that was enough. During this period, Kristen experienced the beauty of “learning to live like a child of God.”
Living and leading for the Lord “built my confidence and allowed me to make wise decisions,” Kristin said of the biggest lesson she learned on the field.
Since returning home a few weeks ago, Kristen discovered a new sense of contentment–wealth, even–that she has in her life. “Before the Race, I struggled with wishing I had more,” she recalled. Now she’s happy to eat fresh veggies and the fact that she doesn’t have to push-start her car out of the driveway brings a smile to her face.
“What more could I want?” she asked us.
Now Kristen is taking advantage of her free time: in between soaking up time with family and visiting friends and supporters, she’s also helping her little sister move off to college.
“If I hadn’t gone on the Race, I probably wouldn’t be here to help her move into her dorm. It’s been a neat reward.”
Kristen is also praying about what’s next in her journey. We’re pretty eager to find out too.
Kristen answers more questions:
What was the first thing you ate when you got home?
“I’m a health nut, so the first thing I ate was BBQ’d salmon with
lots of veggies and a spinach salad. Rice was served, but I stayed away
from that.”
What would you like to ask alumni Racers?
“When did know what you were supposed to do next?”
What would you consider to be a success for this journey?
“When I know, at the end of the day, my heart is married to the Lord, that would be success.”
Have any advice for future Racers?
Letting go of expectations doesn’t magically happen at training camp. “It’s an ongoing, relational process,” she told us. When making a decision about the World Race, Kristen believes, “there’s never a good time to go, just GO!” (We agree)
Don’t think you fit the typical missionary mold? It’s okay, we’re not really into ‘normal’ and God uses us anyway. Join the community of not-so-normal missionaries and be part of a radical generation of world-changers.
