Well, they’re off! Gap T, U, and V left for the airport in the middle of the night last night to start their journey on the World Race Gap Year. They each fly to their separate countries, but all with the same purpose of loving the least and bringing Kingdom wherever they go.
I know I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again: it has been an incredible honor to walk alongside them in the journey of preparing for the World Race. It wasn’t always easy. The road to the World Race is full of ups and downs, bumps and twists, excitement and nervousness, joy and bittersweet moments.
As I stood in the back of their final night of worship in the US last night, the Lord told me to sit down cross legged on a chair and just look. Look at what He has allowed me to take part in. Each of those Racers were there because He trusted me to steward them through this process and help get them to this point. He was the one truly preparing them, but He invited me to join Him in that work.
I asked the Lord to let me feel the weight of what I’ve been part of this last year. Almost immediately my good friend (and squad leader for one of my squads) shared a vision with me that the Lord gave her.
She saw a sunflower that was blooming. Inside the flower was a bunch of beautiful gifts. She saw a bee come and land on the sunflower, take a little bit of the beautiful things, and then fly away. Another bee came and did the same thing. Then another. And another. She asked the Lord what that meant and He told her that I am the sunflower and all of these Racers are the bees. They are in this room ready to spread the love of Jesus to the ends of the Earth because of the things I have done to get them here. Because of what I chose to say yes to. I have given them the gifts the Lord has given me, and now they get to take those gifts out into the world.
**Cue the tears**
Guys, sometimes this job feels really thankless and unnoticed. If I’m not careful, I can get lost in the day to day spreadsheets, emails, and text messages. It’s tempting to think it’s “just a desk job” and the real missionaries are out on the field doing the “real” work. But the Lord has continued to confirm that this is exactly the role He has me playing in spreading the Gospel to the ends of the Earth.
Last Friday I sent my squads the official “release” email turning them over to their on field leadership team. I knew that day would eventually come, I just didn’t realize how many mixed emotions would be attached to it. After I pressed send, a few of my Racers responded back with words of encouragement (my love language, btw) saying what my role meant to them as they were preparing for the Race.
I want to share some of those here so you can get a glimpse into the impact that we really get to make through my role with Adventures. And when I say “we,” I mean it. I would not get to do what I do without the support of my family and friends who believe in me and in the role the Lord is asking me to play in His Kingdom. So please, let’s celebrate the impact WE get to make as we partner with the Lord in this crazy thing called the Great Commission.
“Thank you for all your help, prayers, support and leadership!! You made the “getting ready” process so easy and organized. I am so grateful that I got to have you walk with me along the way!”
“RaeLynn! Thank you so much for everything you have done. It has been awesome being led by you this far and I couldn’t have made it without you!”
“RAELYNN!!! I love you bunches and so appreciate everything you have done for us. You’re amazing”
“Hey, I just wanted to say thank you for everything that you’ve done for not only me but for everybody on the squad, You’re definitely a big part of helping us all get to where we need to be and help us achieve what we can while on the race. You are freaking awesome and I love you so much. Thank you.”
“RaeLynn thank you for EVERYTHING!!!! You’ve been there since literally day 1! You were and are a hero! I appreciate and am so thankful for you even if it wasn’t much face to face time hahahah! True support system. Thank you for encouraging me in the season that is FUNDRAISING. Praying for you!!!”
“Thanks so much for all you did for us and me Raelynn 🙂 it was a blessing having you as our advisor! Ill be praying for you while I’m on the race!”
See friends, what we do matters. It matters for these Racers. It matters for the people they’ll touch with the love and hope of Jesus. It matters for the Kingdom of God.
I literally cannot express my gratitude enough for helping me be part of the story the Lord is writing. I love and appreciate each one of you more than I’ll ever be able to say. So THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart to the ends of the Earth.
I am so, SO close to meeting my year end financial goal for my role at Adventures. I have until September 30th and we’re only about $350 away. If you would like to be a part of what the Lord is doing through Adventures, you can make a one time donation or set up a monthly recurring donation by clicking the “Donate” button at the top of the page. All donations are tax deductible.
Thank you so much for partnering with me in the work the Lord is doing through Adventures in Missions!
