We’ve learned a lot about Nathan Dickens, July 2011 W Squad, from how he found out about the World Race to being raised up as squad leader and everything in between. Now we take a look at some of his favorite moments on the Race and even get some insight for future Racers.
When asked about his favorite ministry experience, Nathan will tell you it’s a tie between Peru and Mozambique. In the latter country, he spent the month ministering to young adults. In the former, he lived in and worked at a home for boys.
The common denominator of these experiences: relationship.
It’s easy to see how Nathan operates relationally. “I have loved every trip to every team,” Nathan told us of his role as squad leader and the relationships built as a result. “I have loved getting an opportunity like this and I will never forget any of it.”
A day of hiking in Swaziland marks one of his favorite moments on the Race. After hearing about cave paintings in a mountain nearby, Nathan set out on a journey of exploration. He found old pieces of pottery, which appeared to be undiscovered. Excavating them made him feel like a little kid again- a welcome reprieve and good to “get away from the noise.”
He climbed up the mountain overlooking the river valley feeling “so much peace in that instance,” as he sat on a rock “watching the storm roll in.”
Sounds typical for someone who majored in outdoor education, right?
Some post-Race options Nathan is considering: working for a camping ministry, serving as a raft guide, going to seminary, or traveling the U.S.
“I don’t know,” he said about life beyond the Race. The bottom line is it’s about “continuing to love God and love people.” His prayer is to “continue to follow after God and let the Holy Spirit guide everything” in his life.
Nathan’s year around the world is about giving up his rights and opinions, even his own will; it’s about “constantly putting others above yourself.” And he’s relishing every opportunity to grow.
Advice to future Racers? Be yourself, Nathan says, warning, “the Race won’t fulfill [you].” It’s not meant to be an escape from life, nor is it the “end-all, be-all” experience. It’s an initiation- nothing more, nothing less.
This month, Nathan is serving with the July 2011 W Squad in Malaysia, the eleventh and final country on their World Race route.
