I promised earlier that I would write about what God has been up to in my heart. So I guess i’ll keep that promise! 😉 If this ends up being very long, I apologize in advance! I’ll try to stay on track! 😉
Like any story, I suppose the best place to start is at the beginning. If you know me, you may know that for the past 4 years I have been OBSESSED with a non-profit organization called Krochet Kids. I think what attracted me to them most, was that they travel to places like Uganda and Peru to teach women and children how to crochet so that they are able to have jobs. It’s about empowerment. I’ve always had this love for Africa. Ever since I can remember.
Following graduation, I looked in to working for them. I highly considered applying for their internship program, but God had other plans and He led me back to Utah where I accepted my first “Big Girl” job. As much as I absolutely loved it, come christmas time, my heart began to long for something else. Which, was strange to me because I had a job pursuing what I LOVED going to school for.
I decided I was going to apply for the internship with Krochet Kids summer 2014. As I prepared my resume, cover letter, and application questions, I felt confident in this decision, it had become my “dream job.” And if that meant being an unpaid intern for 3 months while trying to support myself in California.. by golly I was gonna do it!!
Then… the greatest thing EVER happened!! As I was scrolling through my instagram feed, I came across a post from Krochet Kids (Of course I follow them! ha) and it read “Now Hiring, Mid-level Graphic Designer.” WHHHHHAT?!?!?!?! Well.. if that wasn’t a sign from God I don’t know what is!! So that very day, I reworked my resume, wrote, re-wrote, and wrote again, my cover letter, and I sent it off!! I was gonna get this job!!
Well, like other times before… God had other plans. About a week later, as I was scrolling through social media networks, one thing led to another, which lead me to a scripture (Isaiah 61 to be exact) which led me to someones profile which led me to another profile… and eventually down this long seemingly never ending road I arrived at the World Race.
I sat at my computer for hours in complete awe really. I watched videos, (As many as I could find) I read blogs, I watched more videos. You know that saying “Nothing good happens after midnight?” Well… I beg to differ! 😉
If I’m being completely honest, I’ve never heard God’s voice so clear in my life.
“This is it!” He said. “Go!”
After that I sat there trying to take it all in. Trying to think about what leaving for 11 months actually really meant. What about my responsibilities here? How would I tell my bosses?? What’s my fam gonna think? I had a lot of questions… but the biggest concern I had at that very moment was…. “I just applied for Krochet Kids, what if I get the job?” ha ridiculous I know!!! But in that very concern, in that very worry.. was my answer. In my heart, I was so confident about IF Krochet Kids called me RIGHT NOW and offered me the job on the spot… I would turn it down. SO. CONFIDENTLY. Without one single doubt in my mind. I couldn’t understand it. I couldn’t wrap my brain around it. I’ve wanted that job forever, how could I just be so sure and confident that I would turn it down??
Why?? Because God spoke directly to my heart “This is it, Go!”
Who could turn away from that?
This story would probably be a lot cooler if Krochet Kids had called me since then and if I ACTUALLY turned down the job… but they haven’t and I never got the chance to turn them down. But, maybe one day in the future, in His time… there won’t have to be any turning down! 🙂
Needless to say, after lots of prayer, I applied for the race. I talked with my family and friends, and eventually I built up enough courage to tell my work I would be leaving in June! Which, by the way after that conversation, I am officially a PRO at hard conversations!! I can do anything now!! 😉 It’s funny how things are always so much worse in our heads. If I could have just pictured that convo the way it actually went, I coulda saved myself so much stress!!! haha!
So, this is where I’m at, I will be leaving at the beginning of September for 11 countries in 11 months. I will have a week long training camp in Atlanta (Go Braves!) in July where I will meet the 50-75 people who will become my family during this time. (Which I’m totally stoked about by the way!!)
I will use this blog to keep you guys updated both while I’m on this adventure and prior to. And I promise they wont all be soo long! 😉
I love you all!! Thanks for taking the time to read this!
Here are the places I will be going to and a little description of what we will be doing!!
Guatemala
A country rich in history and natural resources – fertile soil from the volcanoes help yield excellent coffee – Guatemala is the perfect place to initiate your World Race experience. Outside of its aesthetic appeal, Guatemala needs God’s touch. Gripped by poverty and bound to a spirit of religion, the people of Guatemala hunger for the kingdom of God to pervade their lives. You’ll have the opportunity to usher in the kingdom to this land and reach out to the people on the fringes of society through hard work, relationships, and maybe even a miracle or two.
Honduras
“Hondo” comes from the Spanish word for depth and there’s lots of depth to Honduras. It’s home to the Aztec and Mayan civilizations, whose ruins are still stand. Honduras is mostly mountainous and the weather’s as tropical as it gets. What really runs deep in Honduras are its needs. Honduras is the third poorest in the region, after Haiti and Nicaragua. Like her neighbors, Honduras has had her of share political/military troubles, e.g., the six-month constitutional crisis in 2009. There’s a need to reach out to the youth, not just to keep them out of trouble (e.g., gangs) but for them to know their worth and that they’re loved.
Nicaragua
This location is always a World Race favorite. It’s a country full of wonderfully warm and caring people, and participants always leave having had a powerful experience. However, hopelessness, addictions, destitution, and poverty still plague the many lives of Nicaragua. There are orphans who have grown up without knowing the love of a parent and families who get by each day by scrounging scraps from the city dump where they have made their homes. In Nicaragua, you’ll have the opportunity to bring God’s love through slum ministry, door-to-door outreach, outreach to children, and more.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a hot spot for surfing and just enjoying “pura vida” – literally, “pure life”, it’s a concept of a “chill,” relaxed, laidback way of life. The beautiful beaches that line both coasts are the perfect setting. Among the Central American countries, Costa Rica (“Rich Coast”) lives up to its name. While the natural beauty attracts lots of tourists, there are still large pockets of poverty and family brokenness. Because of its relative affluence, Costa Rica also draws in immigrants from neighboring countries, like Nicaragua, who don’t fare much better than they did before. You might help feed their physical and spiritual hunger – and discover other creative ways to give new meaning to the concept of “pura vida.”
Japan
Known as the Land of the Rising Sun, Japan is made up of almost 7,000 islands and boasts the world’s largest metropolitan area, Tokyo. Religious freedom has been in place since the end of World War II, but 84% of the Japanese people practice Buddhism or Shintoism or a combination of both, and fewer than one percent are Christian. Groups like Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons are reaching the Japanese people faster than Christians are. Japan needs excited young missionaries to help infuse a sense of freshness to the missionary effort.
Thailand
According to the CIA, the kingdom of Thailand, known as Siam until 1939, is the only country in the region not colonized by Europe. Their 2000 census showed that 94.6% of the population is Buddhist, 4.6% are Muslim, and 0.7% are Christian. Approximately 600,000 people live with HIV/AIDS in Thailand. With nearly two million people estimated to be forced into prostitution, it has become one of the most popular places for sex tourism. Change lives in the city-where you, like Jesus, might befriend prostitutes-or in the countryside-where you may serve youth, care for orphans, and encourage a remnant of believers.
Laos
Following a brutal civil war, Laos came under communist rule in 1975. Therevada Buddhism and spirit worship dominate Laos with Christian missionary work monitored by the government. This ruggedly beautiful nation is home to some of the most unreached hill tribes in the world. The need is great for people to bring God’s love to the isolated places in Laos.
Cambodia
Cambodia houses one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Angkor Wat, a Hindu temple and monastery built during the Khmer empire in the 12th century. It later became a Buddhist complex a century later, and today, just over 96% of Cambodia is Buddhist. Almost 30 years ago, 1.5 million Cambodians died at the hands of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge regime. Today, Cambodia is a source, transit point, and destination of human trafficking. Unfortunately, the government is struggling to stop it. The people of Cambodia are thirsty for the hope you can bring.
Swaziland
The Kingdom of Swaziland is one of the last remaining monarchies in Africa. Home to 1.1 million people and breathtaking scenic views, it’s also where the world’s highest HIV/AIDS infection rate lives (26.1% in adults and over 50% of adults in their 20s). It’s estimated that by 2050, Swaziland may cease to exist. Young orphans are scattered throughout this nation in desperate need of attention. For years, Adventures has been committed to seeing these statistics reversed. Here, you’ll most likely find yourself involved in a variety of outreaches, including education, orphan care, care point feedings, and more.
Zimbabwe/Botswana
Recently, Zimbabwe struggled with hyperinflation. Under the current regime, the human rights violations continue. Zimbabwe also has one of the lowest life expectancies. Zimbabwe is also home to intriguing ruins and shares Victoria Falls with Zambia. Botswana has the second highest HIV infection rate, second to Swaziland, its southern neighbor. The land itself struggles with drought and desertification yet boasts the largest elephant population in the world in one of its national parks. The majorities of both populations identify themselves as Christian but very much need people like you to advance the kingdom with love and in power.
South Africa
While it’s been several decades since apartheid has formally ended, there’s still more healing and reconciliation to take place in South Africa. One of the wealthiest countries on the continent yet much of the population living outside the cities is poor. Like the rest of sub-Saharan Africa, this country struggles with a high rate of AIDS/HIV. Host to the 2010 World Cup and breathtaking natural attractions, it’s also a place full of kingdom potential, waiting to be released — by you.
