Daily I am asked questions about the World Race and I notice a lot of the same questions are asked by different people, so I thought maybe this blog post would be interesting to those of you who like to know all the juicy details. Bon Appétit! Eat up.
What is the World Race?
The World Race is an 11 month missionary journey to 11 countries to serve the poor while living amongst real and raw community. It requires stepping out of your comfort zone and being exposed to what God is doing in the world.
Is anyone going with you?
Yes, I am going with an organization called Adventures in Missions and I will be on a team of people who are all around my age (21-35). Our team will be broken into squads. My squad will become my family. They are the ones I will travel alongside, pray with, and do life with for the next year.
Anyone you know personally?
Nope, however, one other team member lives very close to me and we have several mutual friends. I hope to meet with him for coffee in the next few weeks!
Where will you travel?
I will travel across 3 continents and spend one month living in each of the following nations: India, Thailand, Cambodia, Nepal, Vietnam, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and one other Asian country that my team will prayerfully select once we’re on the field.
What will you do there?
My team will volunteer with local ministries in each location doing everything from sharing the gospel to loving on AIDS orphans to helping those trapped in human trafficking to meeting with and encouraging believers in their faith.
So you’re really selling everything you own?
Yes. Really.
My goal is to have the majority of my belongings sold through facebook, ebay and craig’s list. By May I will take the leftover items to specialty stores like used books stores and Plato’s Closet and try to get a few dollars per item there. The next step is garage sales where things will be priced unbelievably cheaply for those Saturday morning bargain-hunters. What’s left will find its home at the Goodwill.
What about your car? Your camera?
These are probably the only two objects I am considering not selling. More than likely I will put a hold on my car insurance, remove my license plate and disconnect the battery while I’m gone. I am still praying about what God will have me do with my camera. Of course, I want more than anything to bring it along. I love showing you my world through my camera lens. I just don’t want to be too fast to say I’m definitely bringing it because ultimately if God calls me to leave it behind, I will. I’m just laying my camera in His hands for now. Someone once told me to always have my ‘yes’ on the table before God even asks. In this case, I suppose, the camera’s on the table.
What will you bring with you?
Each World Racer leaves with a hiker’s pack weighing between 30-40lbs to meet airline weight restrictions. In it will be my sleeping bag, pillow, tent, mess kit, medical kit, 8 days of clothes, 2 pairs of shoes, my Bible, my journal, and my most basic necessities (and trust me, the definition of necessities here is a LOT different than what you have in mind).
What will happen with your boyfriend?
Tony and I are taking things one day at a time. We would like very much to continue to date during the World Race process. We realize this will come with a lot of challenges. It will sometimes mean weeks without communicating, experiences that will be hard to explain and to understand, and of course, not being able to see each other for 11 months. Missing each other could become a distraction if we’re not careful. There are a lot of things for us to consider and we’re seeking God’s direction big-time.
What will you do with your dog?
Technically Nollie is Tony’s dog, although she currently lives with me. By the time I leave for the trip, Tony will be able to have her live with him full-time. I will miss her little puppy paws so!
How does your family feel about this?
My family has been incredibly supportive. I expected this from my dad (he is the dreamer in the family) and my brother (he’s all for independence and having your own life-experiences) but the one that really surprised me was my always-cautious mother. The thought of foreign-travel into potentially dangerous third-world countries usually sends her in a tailspin, but when I told her about the World Race, she looked me straight in the eyes and said, “If you don’t go now you never will.” She hasn’t stopped helping me make bracelet to sell since.
Are you quitting your job?
Yes. My bosses have been gracious and told me there will be a spot open for me when I return if I want it, but I’m leaving my future in God’s hands. Who knows where He’ll have me next?
What happens when you come home?
When I come home I won’t have much, but I will have everything. I may not have a wardrobe bursting with clothes, but I will be clothed in the security of my Papa. I may not have a place to live, but I with my tent on my back I will have the freedom to live anywhere in the world. I may have missed weddings and births and funerals, but I will have gained memories and experiences and testimonies. I know the Lord will shake my world and those of the people I meet with the magical touch of His hand. Don’t worry about me. I will be okay. I will be forever changed.
Can you receive letters and packages while overseas?
I cannot receive packages for any reason other than emergencies. An emergency package contains only one of two things: a debit card to replace a missing one, or medication. The locations I will be living in are very remote. It just isn’t practical to send or receive packages. I can, however, receive and send snail mail when I have access to a post office. Write me.
How can I stay updated on your travels?
To the left of this post you will see a place to type in your email address to receive email alerts each time that I post. I am required to blog once a week up until my launch date. After that point, I will be posting twice a week as long as internet access allows. I promise to post pictures!
How much does the trip cost?
The actually trip costs $15,500, but this amount does not cover a handful of things. It does not cover the cost of travel to and from training, the flight to the start of the Race, the flight back from the end of the Race, medical insurance, the cost of equipment, and some of the visas I will need. I’m guesstimating I will need to raise around $18,000.
When do you need to have your support raised by?
There are several financial deadlines that I have to meet, but I believe that I will be fully-funded before I ever set foot overseas! God will take care of me, I know it.
· 2 weeks before training camp in May $3,500 raised and in World Race account
· 2 weeks before launch in July $6,500 raised and in World Race account
· Month 3 on the field $11,000 raised and in World Race account
· Month 6 on the field $15,500 (fully-funded)
How can I help?
First and foremost I would so appreciate your prayers during this time and also while I travel. Pray for my team’s fundraising efforts and that God would be preparing our hearts in big ways for this God-adventure. Pray for our safety as we travel and that we might bring love and hope wherever we go. Read over the list of the nations we will travel to. Pray for these broken and hurting nations! Pray that the sweet people we meet will be open to hearing the truth of God’s word.
Financially, there are several ways to help. You can donate to my trip as a one-time gift or as monthly donations, allowing you to choose the amount and beginning and end date. If you would like to do this, please make checks payable to Adventures in Missions, PO Box 534470, Atlanta GA, 30353-4470. Make sure to specify that you would like the donation to go to Angelique Sturm or your donation will not be sent to my account. If you would prefer to make a donation online, you may do so by clicking the “Support Me” link in the upper left side of the page and complete your donation as instructed. Keep in mind, though, that a 5% credit card fee will be taken out of the donation for credit card processing.
Another way to help is by buying some of the items I will be posting for sale. Keeps tabs on the photo album titled “Project: Sell Everything I Own” for sweet deals on my goodies.
I am also selling sweet bracelets to raise support, and to wear as a reminder to pray. Each bracelet is hand-made with wooden beads (some are even made from seeds) from around the world and has a hand-stamped charm with the name of one of the eleven countries I will be living in during my travels. 100% of profits go toward paying for my trip to the country listed on the bracelet you buy. Buy some as Christmas gifts for your friends or rock a variety of bracelets yourself. $8.00 each.
Hire me for a photoshoot! All profits will go to my World Race account. I am available for everything from weddings to newborn shoots.
Your support so far has overwhelmed me. Blessings from the bottom of my heart,
Angelique
