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A SELECTED "NORTHERN LIGHTS"
MAGAZINE ARTICLE
(from Issue #475)
A Race Worth Running
by Peter VonZuben (from Issue #475)
The Yukon Quest is one of the biggest events each February for the
people of the Yukon and Alaska. It is a 1600 kilometre dog sled race,
running between Whitehorse, Yukon and Fairbanks, Alaska. The
start/finish locations alternate each year.
 This
is a long gruelling race, covering some of the roughest terrain north of
the 60th parallel. The teams face everything from dodging the sharp
broken ice and overflow of the Yukon River, to breaking trail through
deep snow as they claw their way over the Summit. The winner this year
was Tim Osmar of Alaska, whose time was 11 days, 14 hours and 38
minutes.
This is not a race for the ill-prepared nor the faint-hearted. There
is much preparation needed -- months of training the dogs, evaluating
the strength and endurance of each of them, and selecting lead dogs.
Then there is the equipment -- the right sled, the best harness,
booties, dog food, camping equipment, and the list goes on. Then comes
the practice -- both warm and cold weather training, easy and rough
conditions. These all play an important part in the preparation.
As I followed this year's race, I couldn't help think of our work
as missionaries, and how similar it is to that of preparing and running
the Yukon Quest.
First of all comes the "calling." If you think you want to enter
ministry as a missionary, you must be certain God is calling you to go.
Without being sure He wants you to enter this kind of "race," you
are bound to "scratch."
The next area of concern is preparation. Do you have the training? Is
it the right kind of training? Did you breeze through Bible school with
no particular goal in mind? Were the courses you took geared to the
practicality of "running a long and stressful race"? (Note: In
addition to Bible college, NCEM missionary candidates receive
specialized training.) What about your mate? Is he/she totally committed
to the long range goal of winning the race?
The missionary's task is to reach out with the Gospel to those
along the "trail" of life. Those who respond to the Gospel message
need to be discipled and grounded in the Word of God, then be challenged
to the call of God on their own lives. This, too, is an awesome task!
Yes, there will be obstacles along the way -- even danger! Apathy
(like sharp, broken ice) grabs at the team and gear. Satanic opposition
(like open water and overflow) will try to drag you down and put you out
of the race. Hatred and rejection (like snagging willow branches that
tear at your clothing) may cut deeply. Prejudices (like a steep mountain
summit) have to be traversed. People's addictions (like deep soft
snow) may impede even your own progress to a standstill. Loneliness
(like the cold wind) may at times surround you.
By now we might be asking ourselves, "Is running this race really
all that important?" Some do not even consider starting. Some ask this
question part way through the race. And, yes, some of us may even ask
the question when the race is almost over -- when the end is almost in
sight.
The Yukon Quest started this year in the city of Whitehorse, named
after the white water rapids of the Yukon River, having a likeness of
white horses racing in the cold mist, full of life and enthusiasm for
the race. The Quest ended in the city of Fairbanks, Alaska. What a
suiting name for this illustration -- the finish line is at the "fair
banks." That's where the prize is -- that's where the rest
begins!
Each musher in the Quest has a support team working behind the scenes
-- people who assist at the check stops, providing straw to bed down
the dogs, medical assistance, a fire for warming the driver and cooking
food ... and, most of all, providing encouragement.
Likewise, the missionary who is also out on the "trail" has
his/her own support team working behind the scenes. Those of us who have
been called by God to this vocation also depend on our support team -- their prayers, financial support and encouragement.
Is the race worthy running? Yes, its purpose is to reach out to those
whom God is calling to Himself. We don't want to just leave them along
the trail, but bring them with us to those "fair banks."
Peter & Louis VonZuben served in the Northwest Territories
before moving to serve in the Yukon. (Photo by Julie Coghill -- used
by permission.)
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