For this blog, our team just wanted to share some aspects of what our race has been like up to this point. Hopefully this will let you know more about our teammates and what life is actually like on the field. Our time on the race has actually been pretty comfortable as far as housing goes. Our team has had beds and showers everywhere we go, which is so nice. In Thailand and Malaysia we were living in hostels pretty much, and in Costa Rica, our team is staying in a big house together. Our team has always slept in the same room together, which has helped us to get pretty close. Here is a quick update about how each of us are doing and how the race has impacted us:
Zach Gregory-
One of the best things about The Race is being forced out of your comfort zone. Traveling to different places and seeing all the cultural differences is one of the coolest things. Showing up in a country and not knowing what the societal “norms” are and having to learn and adapt. Coming from the U.S. people automatically assume that you are rich and conceited. We get to show that not everyone is like that and there are also people who want to love and serve.
The most difficult thing about The Race, spiritually, has been traveling to a country where religion is forced upon people, Malaysia and Islam. The people of Malaysia are typically forced into being Islamic in order to gain favor in the eyes of the government. Once you are Islamic then you are not allowed to change religions and trying to change is illegal. We were only able to spend 1 month in Malaysia. The need for Jesus was clearly evident and it was heartbreaking to see people forced into a religion. Even as Christians it was illegal for us to share our faith with any Islamic people. After spending a month in the country, it was obvious that it had taken a spiritual toll on the squad. It was hard to leave the ministries we had been a part of and the people we were able to get to know but once we left I could feel a weight lifted off my shoulders.
The hardest thing about The Race is getting absolutely zero alone time. Well I take that back because we do use the bathroom and shower alone so that’s a plus. But not being able to go places alone is a lot harder than you think it will be until you’re not able to. Due to not knowing how safe places are or if anything were to happen, we always have to have at least 1 other person with us. Our entire squad is also in 1 house, and along with AIM staff we have about 40 people in 1 house. That means the odds of the house ever being quiet, or finding a place to be alone are very very very slim. Things are sometimes hard to process and go through but overall the community living is still amazing. –
The thing that The Race has taught me the most is that patience goes a lot farther than you think and all you have to do is ask the Lord to provide. There have been many conflicts (I mean 40 people in 1 house…come on) and it is always better to choose patience than anything else. There have been times where we all get back from a long day of ministry and conflict comes up. It has surprised me how often I am able to respond in love and kindness rather than anger when I ask the Lord to help me. Whenever I fail to ask the Lord and I expect to be able to do it myself, I typically have to go and apologize to someone later that night. The Lord is always willing to provide, I just need to be willing to ask.
CJ-
So far, the race has been such a great experience. The community is awesome and I love the people I get to be around every day. It is so great to be with people that want to push you and encourage you towards the Lord. The most spiritually challenging thing for me on my race, has been learning to listen to God’s voice and obey what He is saying to me. For me that has always been a struggle, but as my relationship with Him deepens, I am beginning to understand what it means to hear His voice. One of the hardest things for me on the race has been being away from home. I miss my family and friends a lot, but God still has more for me to learn here. One of the things He has been teaching me is intentionality with the people I come into contact throughout the day. For me it is easier to not talk to someone and move on with my day, rather than ask someone how they are doing and show interest into their life. God has definitely been pushing me to be more intentional and come out of letting opportunities to get to know someone pass me by. I have gotten to create some pretty awesome relationships and meet some cool people! I am so excited to see what God is going to continue to teach us and has in store for us in the next 4 months!
Zach Trest-
I’ve learned so much more about what it looks like to tangibly live as Jesus did. This includes learning how to love people in some very simple yet intentional ways like praying for them and listening to their stories. It’s looked like building relationships with people even when things might be awkward or hard. You never know how far a letter can go in brightening someone’s day. Jesus was bold and compassionate in His love and reaching out to people and He is our example to live by. Grace has been a lesson that continues to be a learning process whether it is grace for others or for myself. Because Jesus loves us so much, He extended the utmost grace to us by dying for our sins. I am constantly learning more about what it means to extend grace just as Jesus did because that is what love is. Grace says despite what has happened; we can still choose to forgive. This is easier said than done, but this is the type of love that Jesus lived by and calls us to now live by as well.
The hardest thing for me has been community living. I love my squad so much, but at times I feel like I just need time and space away from them. In those moments it’s basically impossible to do as we always have a buddy system when going somewhere and there is nowhere quiet back at our bases. You have to get really creative or make sacrifices in order to find that alone time that you need.
I believe the most difficult thing spiritually for me has been learning to continually give control of my life over to God and leaving it in His hands. I have always wanted independence and control over my life, so to give that over to God has been hard. I have learned several ways to give Him control, but He continues to bring new areas where He wants me to understand what giving Him control looks like and to see if I will be obedient. It still tends to be a struggle and a fight when new situations come up, but I want to eventually get to a point where I am so rooted in my faith and trust in God, that I am not blown away by the wind. I don’t want to let things that are out of my control make me waiver from God’s greater plans and living as Jesus did.
My favorite part of the Race has been all the amazing stories I get to hear from my squad and the people I meet from all over the world. I love quality time and being relational because it allows me to get to know peoples hearts. There have been so many interesting things I’ve learned about people through stories as well as creating our own stories together as our friendships grow. It has allowed me to laugh, cry, and understand the people I meet.
Tikki-
I enjoy live with the host families. It fell like home, living with them doing ministry, Cooking those home made meals from their garden. They love and care us like their own children. Also get to explore God’s creation, seeing things in a different perspective.
For me the most spiritual changing thing is hearing the voice of God. It is very new concept for me begin with World Race introduced to us at training camps. It was very uncomfortable and fell super weird. Through ATL (Ask the Lord) it helped me a lot, just to encourage others through it. Changing part is trying to figure out is it from God or is from me.
For us guys most of our ministry is manual labor. It takes a lot of strength and positive attitude to get through it. It is very tiring but We’re doing everything for the Lord. God has taught me to find joy and be intentional to everyone I meet.
The biggest thing I learned is how to live in a community. There’s a lot of pro and cons through living with my squad under one roof. Laughter late at night, team mates drives me crazy, stinky smells and pick up after them. Those could never over come the pros I get from live in a community. They pushes me to over come my struggles, point me to God no matter what, keep me in budget and each other accountable. So bless to have my teammates walk by my side.
Landon-
One of the things that I have enjoyed most about the race so far is community. I think it has been really cool to get to know the people on my team and squad and learn how I can serve them. It has been hard for me to let go of control of my life since being here, and realizing that God’s plan is bigger and better than mine could ever be. I feel like the race has also grown me in intentionality and seeing how I can love people well. It has been hard to transition to different countries, leaving behind relationships that we have made, and seeing people leave our team and squad has also been extremely rough. The biggest thing that the race has taught me though is that I can serve people and the Lord in so many more ways than I ever thought, and that I just need to trust in God, because He’s got me.
We really hope that you enjoyed this blog and we appreciate you reading it. Some ways that you can be praying for each of us are:
Zach Gregory-
Energy throughout the days as living out of a backpack for four and a half months is getting tiring. To continue pursuing relationships and sharing the light that the Lord has given me. Continue to see how God shows up each day and pursue Him as much as He pursues me.
CJ-
Please be praying that I will have the motivation to keep pressing forward through these next 4 months. It can be hard to be away from home this long, but I want to keep seeking after what God has for me.
Zach Trest-
To be fully funded, continuing to have a positive attitude and Kingdom mindset, and to have patience and use discernment in the midst of challenging circumstances during the next 4 months of my Race.
Tikki-
For energy and positive attitude to do ministry. For me to learn to listen what Truth God already speak over me.
Landon-
For me to realize how much I am loved by the Father and the people around me. Also, that I will continue to see above my circumstances and love people like God loves us.
As a team- That we will continue to go deeper with each other and be intentional in serving those around us. That as we grow closer with God, we will grow closer to each other. For us to be able to finish our race strong and make an impact wherever we go.
Thank you for your support!
Sincerely,
BOZ
