I thought my first blog post should be the story of how I found out about the world race and what made me want to do it. To answer that question I have to back up to the end of March this year.
From March 29th to April 3rd is when I went on a life changing missions trip to the Dominican Republic. Before this trip, my relationship with God was basically non-existent. Despite growing up in a Christian familiy and going to church every Sunday, I’ve just never really had a relationship with God, especially these past few years. Going to church and youth group didn’t seem right for me as I had abandoned my faith and didn’t consider myself a Christian anymore. But this trip to the D.R. completely changed that.
Leading up to this trip, I wasn’t really looking forward to it and didn’t really want to go. But inside me there was something telling me to go and that it would be awesome. So I listened and went. As soon as I stepped out of the airport and into the D.R. I knew I had made the right decision.
What made this trip a life changing experience was the ministry we did. We were walking through this village and going to people houses and talking with them. At first I was very uncomfortable going into a complete strangers house and talking to them. But little did I know that having a simple conversation would be life changing.
Through this ministry, God revealed himself to me in ways I couldn’t even imagine. After the first few houses, I was having an amazing time and didn’t want the day to end. I wanted to do this for the rest of the week and nothing else. Which is completely abnormal for someone like me. As the week carried on I decided that I wanted to find a way to do more ministry as my life had been changed.
This is where the World Race comes in. At the campus we were staying at. There were two other groups there, and one of them was the World Race. I bonded with a few of them and as I learned more about what they do, I felt the Lord speak to me and tell me that he wants me to do that and here I am.
When I got home from this trip I knew it was God speaking to me before. He was the voice that kept telling me to go on this trip and that It would be awesome. He was definitely right.
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us, For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.” Romans 8:18-22
Caleb, wow! That is so cool how God worked in your life and brought you to the race! So pumped to have you!!
Caleb, I love how God is pursuing us even when we aren’t seeking Him. He is doing a work in you, young man. Can’t wait to see all He has in store for ‘Squad H.’ Thanks for your honesty in sharing your story and your ‘yes’ to God!
(Katherine Chandler’s mom)
This is so awesome Caleb! Proud of you bro! So cool that you are being obedient to the Lord! Praying big for you! D-Squad loves you!
CALEB! Bro! This is amazing! I love to hear where the Lord has brought you through the trip! I could hear God calling your name when I first saw you! God’s pursuit of you despite not pursuing Him reminds me of where I started. It is a beautiful journey and I can’t wait to hear how God moves through your life!
Caleb it’s Wes! Bro I’m so so proud of you. I don’t even know what else to say. The way the Lord speaks through you is incredible. Also the way you’ve boldly decided to step out with your story and use your testimony to impact others is such a beautiful vision of what the Lord is doing in your heart. Praise God for the fact that you came to the DR because then we got to meet you 😉
We love you bro!!