Throwback Series, Part 3
Wow- a lot has happened over the summer that I am excited to share with you. The World Race involved a significant preparation process, and the weeks leading up to launch sent me on a travelling frenzy throughout the southeastern US. Today, I wanted to take the time to showcase what took place, and how we as a Squad came together to prepare for the World Race. Here we go- shedding light on how the Lord moved as the days counted down to our launch overseas to begin the 11 month journey!
——
In late June, we flew back from Port Alsworth to Anchorage. During that flight, I felt the presence of the Spirit in a powerful way (https://bretthaas.theworldrace.org/post/over-the-edge1)- as the Lord cemented His calling upon my life. My team and I spent the entire day in Anchorage saying goodbye to each other one at a time as our flights to the Lower 48 were staggered. Just after 11 pm, I said my final goodbyes; it was time to board after an epic Alaskan mission trip. The plane sailed across the sky at night with a brief layover in Salt Lake City. A few moments later, I touched down in Florida with my parents and relatives greeting me. We connected as a family during the next week, and I got to visit my elderly grandfather as well. We were put to work getting a house ready for sale. Yet we also played hard as well. In Daytona Beach, there is a crazy attraction known as the “Daytona Beach Sling Shot”. It’s been around for over a decade, and is an iconic piece of the landscape. My cousin (https://bretthaas.theworldrace.org/post/gliding-across-the-snow) and I decided to do it after visiting this part of Florida dozens of times over the past years. We got strapped in and then launched high into the air. It’s hard to describe how I felt in words. Picture being upside down in a cage tethered to two cables seeing the city far below; knowing that what must come up must come crashing down. Yikes!
After coming home for a few days, I found myself on a road trip to West Virginia to pick up my cousin who came down to visit from Ohio. A beautiful opportunity came together to reconnect with extended family from my uncle’s side that I had not seen in 12 years, and I am thankful to the Lord for this. We rented out a cabin near New River Gorge, and we got to catch up together. Stories were swapped, and crazy conversations were had. One of the highlights was rafting the lower section of the New River Gorge and crashing through the rapids. If you get a chance to do this rafting trip, it’s an absolute classic. Highly recommend it! On another day, I helped lead a trip to Endless Wall. This hiking trail is one-of-a-kind with access to ladders that drop into the cliffs below. It was a spectacular time of reconnecting with friends and getting to see amazing parts of God’s creation.
As June turned into July, our Squad began to connect and prepare for the Race. John, Lee, and I took a hike up to the top of Mt. LeConte in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This was a mountain that I had been eyeing for around 7 years, and we started our ascent. Passing by areas like Cliff Top, Alum Cave Bluffs, and Alum Cave while talking about the Race and theology really energized us. A few short days later, we assembled at Training Camp. Taylor, Lee, and I hiked Tallulah Falls just before this event, and after huffing and puffing up the stairs, we ate a hearty meal at Goats on the Roof. And yes, there were indeed goats on the roof! We got settled into Training Camp- coming together as one Squad from various backgrounds. Sessions were packed full of info and worship as M Squad was formed and energized for the months ahead. TC was intense- filled with sleep scenarios, Squad wars, backpacking up Yonah Mountain, and evenings of team formation exercises. Yet it was also a crucial moment of getting to know leadership, the heart behind the World Race, and committing ourselves to this God-given journey together.
Things kicked into overdrive once Training Camp ended. Mom and I attended a wedding, and I took three trips to Greenville, SC for vaccines (including for Japanese Encephalitis to prevent my brain from swelling up if bitten by an infected mosquito while abroad). However, getting to see Lee Heiner (leeheiner.theworldrace.org) and Caleb (who went to Alaska with me) were definitely highlights- along with meeting some of their Christian communities. Hiking in Upstate South Carolina was also amazing- especially near the Lake Jocassee region. Lots of shopping was also completed in this time, and REI became a go-to destination. Later in July, Mom and I went back to Florida to check up on my grandfather and say goodbyes to family down there before launch. Even though so much of my family is scattered in different parts of the country, we are very close and regularly travel to see each other whenever we can.
July turned into August, and I continued to say my goodbyes. This process had been going on for a while; including when a close friend and I took a hike together in the Channels of Virginia earlier in the summer. My family and I held a large gathering in my backyard, where we shot off fireworks and celebrated the upcoming journey. A couple days later, I joined a prayer gathering in Boone at the Appalachian State campus. This group of people has been interceding for the Boone community for many years, and they joyfully sent me off. On one hand, I said goodbye to my friends from the Boone area- who grew and challenged me throughout the pandemic. But I was also looking toward the journey ahead. On August 5, after saying goodbyes and getting one more shot, I hiked with my mom and sister at Moses Cone Park. We reflected on what the Lord has done and rested in His peaceful meadows. That evening, my family and I went out for dinner at Makotos in Boone. After a night of packing, I said goodbye to my sister the next day. My parents and I then hit the road- bound for Parent Launch Weekend in Atlanta (https://bretthaas.theworldrace.org/post/reflecting-on-launch-and-arrival-in-romania) and a journey that would change my life. I am still on that journey to this day!
——-
“Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.” Acts 13: 1-3 NIV
Note: Photos don’t do it justice. But here are a few: 1. Me at Greenville, SC visiting Lee, 2. The beach in Florida, 3. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 4. New River Gorge Bridge, and 5. Departing for Training Camp!
