My God is so faithful. He hears our prayers. He listens when we cry out to Him. I’m so blessed to be where I am in life. For a lot of people on the race, God has a certain time and place where He wrecks their life. A time where freedom comes that has been locked up for so long. They door is unlocked and God’s love and grace fills up their life like never before. God reveals plans right before their eyes for some. Others find their identity in Christ. I’ve walked along squad mates as they have experienced this. It’s beautiful to say the least.
For me it has been different. Each and every month God shows me something new. These past two months in Africa have been the most challenging two months in my life. God surely has wrecked me!
Not much went right for me in Kenya and South Sudan.
Ministry… well I can count the actual days we did “ministry” on two hands. Time doesn’t exist in Africa and it’s so laid back. Many days are spent waiting and you usually just find something to do. During all of this free time God was working on me.
Travel… the worst travel days I have ever experienced in my life. Multiple day bus trips on the worst roads in the world, random, hour long “tea times” stopping to sleep while we waited for the border to open, broken seats, shattered windows, the isle was filled with luggage, delays like you wouldn’t believe. I was checked out, had no desire to even be on the race anymore, but I’m still here.
Contacts… In Kenya we were kicked out of our contacts house because of some issues that the contact’s wife had with us. Crazy reasons that honestly made no sense or were inaccurate. We decided to leave early due to the situation not getting resolved. We tried four times and our contact wouldn’t cooperate. In South Sudan, our contact was incredibly nice and welcoming but there was no relationship and he rarely spent time with us. People fail us time after time but God’s love never fails.
These are just the main issues I’ve dealt with. It sucked but it’s still so good! Why do I say that? These don’t sound like joyful times for a World Racer. Is this what the World Race is about? No, not at all, but it happens! And that’s when we grow.
I’ve learned how to let go of control. It’s one of the hardest things I’ve had to do on this race but God is in control and His plans are better than anything I could ever do for myself. God is sovereign!
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your way and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9
I’ve realized how thankful I am! I was journaling on the bus ride back from South Sudan to Kenya and this is a small part of what I wrote:
“About an hour ago Dan and I were thanking Jesus for this bus we just got on. We’re on our way for a 20 plus hour bus ride on some horrible roads but we’re thankful. We were just laughing about it because if we can be thankful for this, WOW, what is it going to look like once we get back to America.”
This wasn’t even a nice bus, but we’re thankful because seats weren’t falling apart and there was room to walk in the isle. The little things mean so much. I’ve learned how to see good in the bad.
"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
Psalm 107:1
I know how to handle conflict in a Biblical way. Anger has no hold on me anymore. Dealing with conflict is hard but my team all stepped up huge in Kenya. It was a beautiful thing that came out of it. Great things can come out of bad situations. We just have to do it in love… even if it doesn’t make any sense!
“Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.”
Romans 13:8
Before the race I was not a very patient person. I’m the guy who likes things done the right way. But that’s not reality. Things don’t always go right. Things don’t always go the way you want them. Now, I’m just cool with it, it’s as simple as that. It’s still a struggle but it’s so much easier. If I hopped on that bus during the first few months you better believe I would have stepped right back off. Patience is a fruit of the spirit; God calls us to have patience.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Galatians 6:9
Persevering and trusting God is a big one. God wants us to be consistent in both of these. I put my trust in God in all times, not just when things are going great. I can persevere through the hard times. Jesus persevered for us so we can for Him.
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
Romans 5:3-4
Three more months to go on this amazing journey and God has me right where He wants me. I’ve changed so much and experienced so much freedom on this trip but there is still more. There is still more freedom in all of these areas. There are still times of pride, complaining, impatience, and more. It’s a constant fight. But God’s grace is constant as well and no matter how many times I fail, He loves me the same. I’m so thankful for the transformation that is occurring inside of me. God is wrecking me time after time.
I'm now in Chiang Mai, Thailand and I'll spend the next three months here, Cambodia, and Malaysia before I head to LA Airport. I still owe AIM $300 dollars for this trip and I'm also looking for a plane ticket home. Send me an email if you are are willing to help out! I've been so blessed by everyone back at home and I'll see you all very soon!
