First of all, you may have received an email about this blog post without having signed up to subscribe. I just added some of you to my list because you are my friend and/or family, and I thought you might be interested in reading my World Race blog and staying updated on this mission trip.! If you'd rather not subscribe, you can go to the email you got and unsubscribe from there.
And without further ado, I present…
11 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE WORLD RACE
1. What's the World Race? The World Race is a mission trip to 11 countries in 11 months, and I'm going on it in January of 2014! That means I have about four months left in the US before heading out to South Africa, Mozambique, Swaziland, India, Nepal, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Ireland, Ukraine and Romania. I'm part of Squad B, which has a lot of people… maybe a couple hundred?… with whom I'll travel, but I'll be part of a smaller team as well. That team will be the community I live in every day.
2. What will you actually do on the race? That will vary. My team will get involved with local ministries and programs and people, so each day could look different: construction work, sports camp, tutoring, preaching, praying, meeting with people, grocery shopping….
3. Where will you sleep? I don't know yet! I think we'll sleep wherever we're put for each month of ministry. Sleeping bags and perhaps tents will feature prominently.
4. What country are you most excited for? Well, all of them. But Ireland has a special place in my heart. I went there with my mom last spring and loved every minute of it. We're part Irish, and I felt so at home in that beautiful, fascinating country. I can't wait to spend more time there and see what God's doing there.
5. What are your plans for after the Race? My life plans are not solid yet, which is just fine with me. If I had to decide right now what career to pursue long-term, I'd want to do something–anything–in theater. But I also want to leave space for 11 months of ministry and community to alter my vision, so it's still pretty vague right now.
6. How many shots do you need? Lots of shots. Lots and lots. Needles are probably my biggest fear. Pray for me.
7. How much does it cost? I need to raise $15,500 to go on the Race- that covers all my expenses once I'm on the field. This is where a lot of my attention is focused right now. In order to go on the Race, I need to meet fundraising deadlines, the first of which is coming up in a little less than two weeks!
By mid-September, I need to have $3500 in my account: that's $1326 more. Will you help me get $10 closer to my goal? Every little bit helps, truly! I'm also taking orders for t-shirts now: check them out! Suggested donation: $20 for one, $35 for two. Check them out: http://chelseagreenwood.theworldrace.org/?filename=tshirts-are-coming-pictures-are-here
8. Are you excited? Nervous? Yes. Lots of both.
9. What are you taking with you? I get one big backpack and a small one. I'm curious to see what a year's worth of stuff looks like in one bag. Unfortunately, I can't take my favorite boots or my dogs or my stuffed river otter Brownie.
10. Who are you going with? A bunch of wonderful people, aged 21-35, from all over North America. I haven't met any in real life yet, but the time is near.
11. What's the next step? TRAINING CAMP. From October 12-19, January 2014 Racers are going to a camp located in what has been affectionately termed "Georgessee," because it's nearly on the border between Georgia and Tennessee. At training camp, I'll get to meet all my fellow World Racers for the first time. We'll get our first taste of life on the Race, try out our gear, and experience God's heart for the world together through prayer and worship.
