By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer
GONZALES — Louisiana natives Daniel and Eric Guiffreda have teamed up for the ultimate road trip as one of 11 teams featured on the show “The Amazing Race,” which is airing for the next two months on CBS.
The twins are determined to survive the weekly elimination challenges and win the various legs of a race around the world in order to take home the first-place prize of $1 million.
Filming for the show began in late September and wrapped up a month later, however, the first episode only aired Jan. 3. The brothers prevailed in the first elimination contest, advancing to round two, which will air Jan. 10, 7 p.m.
While the brothers – both firemen in Gonzales – were unable to share with the Baptist Message details about what happened during the filming, they said the experience was among their most memorable together.
BROTHERS IN CHRIST
Daniel, a member of First Baptist Church, Gonzales, and Eric, a member of Cross Point Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, said that after they served together as Marines in Iraq and started families of their own, they thought their brother-to-brother traveling days were over. Then they received a call Sept. 11, informing them they had been chosen to be contestants on the show.
“It was really exciting to see new places that we only dreamed of seeing,” Eric Guiffreda said of the once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity. “To see that many places in a short amount of time is a rare opportunity which we are very thankful for. If I could have done one show in my life, this would be it and for it to happen is amazing.”
He said they used every chance to let others know about their love of Christ, even during the sit-down contestant interviews conducted at the various stops around the world.
“They knew what we stood for,” he said. “When they asked what our priorities were on the show, we said our relationship with Christ and our families. I hope we got through to them the important part Christ plays in our life.”
Daniel Guiffreda was unavailable for comment due to officer training with the U.S. Air Force. However, his pastor, Jim Law, said Daniel and his wife, Kellie, are the real deal as Christians.
“Daniel is intentional in his walk with Christ and engages others with the Gospel in his work as a paramedic and through his military career,” he said. “We couldn’t be more proud of his life and witness.”
Eric Guiffreda tries to capture the Iceland flag during a leg of “The Amazing Race.” Screenshot
