I stole this from a squadmate, as she's put some of the feelings of going through preparations for the Race down better than I ever could. If you've had any questions about how to talk to a future World Racer or how to handle our crazy emotions, read on!
{do's and don'ts for dealing with a future racer}
(From Stephanie Cashin)
1.Please don’t ask what our plans are for after the race.
If we knew where we were called to serve in full time ministry, then we probably wouldn’t be going on the race. We would be so confirmed in our life’s calling and God’s will for our life that we would be serving in that area now. The race is just as much a personal journey and time of discipleship as it is a literal journey across the globe. We will return with changed hearts in so many ways, with confirmed or redirected dreams… even we don’t know what God’s going to teach us over the next eleven months. Asking what we’re going to do after the race, before it’s even started, is pressure we don’t know how to handle.
2.Don’t steal our stuff …yet.
*Cough siblings cough*
The loophole to this is if a future racer offers, without precursor, an article of clothing, home good, or other coveted item. If a future racer offers you something and there is even a possibility that you’ll want it.. take it. If you hesitate it could be donated or sold in a garage sale faster than you can say, “World Race Fundraising”.
The minute I’m on a plane to China, those cute wedges are yours… until launch, I will wear them at least once a day to remind myself that I am in fact a capable of walking in something other than Chacos and minimalist running shoes. Please don’t rush us out the door by writing our “Race Will” just yet.
3.There’s no need to pretend like life won’t go on.
We don’t expect you to not give birth, go to college, or age while we’re away… we want to celebrate with you as much as possible while we’re here! And we’ll want to celebrate again when we come home! Please let us. There’s no need to use hushed tones or leave the room while planning your wedding.
We want to include you in our race, we promise to blog and share photos when possible… do the same! Email and share your triumphs and your struggles while we’re out in the field… we will celebrate and mourn for you in internet cafés all over the world.
4.Distractions are always welcome.
Don’t allow us too much time in our own heads thinking about the next eleven months…
The next year will be heavy in the best possibly way, but coffee dates, nail appointments, trail runs, and other mindless activities with loved ones are priceless at this point. Remind us to not take ourselves too seriously… our kind have a tendency to do that. We’re not hippies yet, we promise to shower and wash our hair in exchange for sleepovers and words of affirmation.
5.Invite us to Church, Small Group, or a Bible Study.
You may think that we’ve been chosen to go on the World Race because we are biblically and spiritually mature beyond our years. You would be wrong, we are a beautifully broken group of people. In the months leading up to the race, we are in transition… as the race approaches it’s easy to get busy with the doing and preparing rather than the sitting and being. We still need to be filled daily and in the Word. It’s a relationship people… we are as desperately dependent on Christ here in the States as we will be in each country to come. Don’t let us coast.
6.Don’t let us forget why we chose the race.
Some days squad-mates, travel plans, and the long needles they use for vaccines make us think, “it’s not worth it.” Those aren’t the reasons we chose the race and those aren’t the reasons we were called. But at times, the pros and cons list of this adventure is weighted heavily by emotion, and emotions are forever changing. We need you there when we shamefully say, “I don’t think I want to do this today…” Because we do. We really really do. You’re our support, our tangible comfort and the voice of reason praying for our courage. Remind us daily of the cross and our calling to take the gospel into the nations.
7.Say something…. Say anything.
No one knows your racer better than you, so this must be approached on a racer by racer basis. We’re hurting and struggling in ways that we don’t even understand. We find ourselves crying over peanut butter and power converters. Sometimes our tears aren’t even a bad thing, our faces just need to leak a little. We will ask for space…please don’t abandon us. Even if we can’t put words to our needs, we need our home teams. A simple, “I have no idea what you’re going through…but I’m praying” is day changing.
Thank you so much to all of those who are supporting me financially, emotionally, in prayer, and through Yogurt Mountain fixes 🙂 I love all of you, and I'm so blessed to have each of you in my life!
