Day 1 is a bit of a crazy day: after a long day (or days!) of travel, we finally hit that magical moment where they walk through our doors, finally under our care. They are thrown right into the mix of a mob of women (our volunteer team) who have been praying for them by name for days, weeks, and even for some, months.

During our first group time together, I shared that I have been fascinated to learn about ultramarathons: any race that is longer than a single marathon of 26.2 miles. For the average person, it’s hard to believe that people choose to do something this extreme!

I’ve been watching a documentary about a runner who did a 100-mile run (without sleep). As you can imagine, the only way this is even humanly possible is with very purposeful pit stops along the way.

What surprised me as I watched all of this was how emotional I got as I watched the pit stop experience. Some stretches of the run were easier, and all he needed was some food, water, the basics. But other sections pushed him to his limit; so much so that he didn’t even realize what he truly needed until the scheduled stop.

Blisters? Didn’t really notice them until he took his shoes off.

Encouragement? Didn’t know how much he needed it until he saw his wife’s face.

You can see it in his eyes – he had pushed so hard for so long that he forgot about his (very real!) needs.

I shared that I believe this might be a helpful picture of our time together on the retreat. Cross-cultural workers are in a race of a very different sort, but just as (if not more!) grueling, testing, and long. So, when they come through our doors:

Some are limping;

Some aren’t aware of unexposed wounds they’re carrying until they take off their shoes for the first time in a while;

And some are on the verge of quitting the race altogether.

But here’s the beautiful part:

God knows their name (!) and what their soul needs at this pit stop.

Courtney needed to be reminded over lunch that Jesus took breaks and had limits, so maybe its ok that she does that regularly, too.

Melissa needed to be reminded that there are others who have walked this unique (and hard!) road through a conversation in transit on the lake path.

Karen needed to hear Jesus speak to her about His power over governments through a Lectio Divina exercise led by one of our incredible volunteers.

I could go on and on.

At this pit stop, Jesus has prepared a team that is available, equipped, and trained to bandage their wounds. To speak words of encouragement. To create spaces of safety where they can be seen, known, and loved.

And behind it all is a good God who knows their name.