How the World Race changed my life?
That is the question, which begins and ends with a simple answer… Jesus!
Let me explain…
Senior year in High School was a monumental year for me in my faith. I had messed up a lot, but learned more. Heading into College, I knew I wanted to be all in for Jesus, which meant I would have to sacrifice some things. I would have to trust God, college would be full of trials. I started listening to more and more sermons, reading my bible, and praying.
When I was half way through my first semester, I had so many questions on Christians. So many would say they knew Jesus, but few lives showed it. People would go to church and then go get drunk and hook up. They would live these double lives, which as I read in the Bible more and more, I could not believe it. I did not want to live this double life. I wanted to see the truth of the Bible in my life.
I received a book from a friend, this book came at the right time. As I was asking all these questions I learned that some people actually do go all in. I read about people all over the world who had no access to the gospel, and here I was with a Bible in my hand. The Lord stirred a passion inside of me… I wanted to go to the unreached people.
One night, I was writing an essay at I believe 1 or 2 in the morning. An ad popped up on my computer for a mission trip. Before I knew it, I was applied, interviewed, and ready to go. I was gonna drop from a University.
Drop-out? Gap Year? Some could not believe it, “are you sure” “this could put you behind” “this is not smart” “THIS IS A BIG DECISION THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE!” they would object.
They were right about it changing my life, not in a way they had expected or meant.
I would never be the same…
I went to community college the next semester and worked full time on night shift. I worshipped and listened to sermon after sermon and finally it was time.
I went to Thailand, then to Malaysia, then to India, and finally Costa Rica where I was sent home earlier than expected due to Covid 19. I went to The Center for Global Action that fall and 9 days later team lead a trip to Costa Rica and Panama for six months.
Throughout this time I have seen things many will never see, I have met people who do remarkable things, some stories I choose not to tell and others I can’t tell for the safety of my brothers and sisters. I have seen healings, demons cast out, I have seen peoples lives transformed by God, divine interventions, learned to walk in step with the Spirit, loved the hurt and rejected, ate with a strangers, clothed the naked etc.
I could go on and on about the villages I have gone to, the fun things my squads did, the friends and community I had made, and the lives impacted.
I have been surrounded by people who are sold out for Jesus. The bible had come to life. Some days would feel straight out of the book of Acts. I have met people who have devoted their lives, and so many who have no other choice but to pray. People who pray for hours because they have seen how the Lord supplies and he shows up every time. I have learned a lot from these Christians. The ones who sold everything they had and gave it to the poor. The ones who invited the strangers into their house.
How can I just return to my normal after this?
I currently sit in my room with my fingers on the keyboard, I have just returned home and feel as if things have returned to normal. My new and current spiritual battle is on the home front. It seems that everyone is graduating, getting married, buying houses, etc. Life has went on while I was gone. Although it is tough right now, I do not regret going on The World Race. It was life changing and I will never be the same. I tasted and saw that the Lord was good. This next season is to trusting the Lord with my life. I trusted him with the last few seasons and my life has surpassed any dream I could have ever dreamed of. Thanks for supporting me and being part of my journey. Some of the verses below is what I sit with currently.
This is what I would say to someone considering doing the World Race..
It is a decision that will change your life… and I highly recommend.
Below is a few Scriptures, some I thought of putting up in paragraphs, but this is better.
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 7
44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. Matthew 13
5 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. Revelation 3
25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. Luke 14
34 “Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? 35 It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” Luke 14
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4
7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith ina]”>[a] Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. Phillipians 3
21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Phillipians 1
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12
19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Phillipians. 3
15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” Luke 12
10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. James 1
34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ Matthew 7
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6
5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7
