Well now. Its all out in the open. My parents know Im going on this trip. Well they knew about it for a while, but now they know how serious I am about it. I dont think they understand I am on fire about Jesus right now, but that will happen with time. Im stoked. They support me in all I do, and this journey is no different. This is my announcement to my family and friends, that I am dying to myself, and living in a radical way for Christ. Thank you for loving me and I hope to chat with everyone about my future with The World Race! Here is some information on where im going and what im doing!
What is the World Race? (click the link)
http://www.theworldrace.org/?tab=about
Expectations of a World Racer
Because the World Race is, in simplest terms, a Christian missions trip we are looking for people who are followers of Jesus. In addition, we’re looking for participants who are ready for the following:
Ready for God to show up
We’re seeking participants who believe that God is actively at work today. People who not only want to do the Lord’s work, but who are willing to let the Lord work in their hearts over the year.
That night, we saw the deaf hear, the blind see, and many people with back pains, headaches, stomach pains, and all sorts of afflictions healed right in front of us! That sort of thing became regular, or as regular as miracles can become. – Eric Hanson, January 2007
Ready to live in authentic community
On the World Race you will live and work with a team of roughly seven people, twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. We’re looking for participants who are ready and willing to be honest, open and vulnerable with prospective teammates. We’re looking for people who are willing and ready to give and receive truth from each other “as iron sharpens iron”, as it says in Proverbs 27:17.
I had lived most of my life controlled by fear, specifically fear of rejection. Through the support, unity, and love of my team God was able to free me from a life of fear. God showed me how to walk in freedom during the Race. I had always know God's love and power but I had never truly let it reign in my life. – Shannon Higgins, January 2009
Ready to change
During this experience, you will get to change the world; we’re looking for participants who are ready and willing to be changed. We are firm believers that the former is impossible without the latter. Visiting 11 countries in 11 months, seeing the different cultures, not having a home, and doing it all in community is going to change you. We’re looking for participants who are aware that our lives are a journey of transformation, becoming increasingly more like Jesus.
I began this journey called the World Race as a bright-eyed college graduate with high hopes of impacting the nations for the sake of Jesus. The thing I didn't realize was just how much Jesus was going to impact me through the nations. Through eleven different countries and cultures, God has opened my eyes to more of himself than what I ever thought possible. I have seen and experienced his love in the eyes of hundreds of orphans, widows, and homeless people around the world. I have come to know his healing power in my life and the lives of countless others. This love, magnificent and unchanging, has transformed me. – Aaron Bruner, Sept. 2007/Aug. 2009
Ready to expose and deal with the past
Call it baggage, junk, or past wounds and hurts. Whatever you call it, we carry the weight of a sinful world. The effects of sin on your life will surface on the World Race. We won’t necessarily rule out candidates who carry baggage, but we are looking for people who are ready to deal with it and leave it behind. You will have the environments and tools to sort through it all safely, but nobody can force you to do it; we’re looking for participants who are willing to try.
The World Race taught me that I no longer have to live under the chains of oppression. I found that as God removed layers of my heart, I was able to see a little bit more clearly what my real identity looks like and I eventually began believing it. I have acquired a new level of wisdom and discernment that is evident when interacting with the people around me that struggle with some of the same things I once struggled with. – Beverly Rhoades, October 2008
Ready to have a positive attitude
As with all of life, the World Race isn’t always easy. Attempts at community don’t always work. Plans change. Feelings get hurt. So, we’re looking for participants who are ready to hope against hope and believe the best for every situation, even when it gets tough.
I learned how much of a Son of God I am and the importance of BELIEVING and ACTING on it! That I do have authority in my life to take down the enemy with Christ and I do believe my generation needs to hear and understand that they are warriors for Christ, we are in a battle here and when we walk into our destiny in Christ, when we realize we are sons and daughters of the Most High- how beautiful life becomes no matter the circumstance. – Robby Riggs, January 2008
For My Parents: http://www.theworldrace.org/?tab=about&subtab=parents
The above link has a PDF of much more detailed information.
To World Race Parents
The World Race is an amazing adventure. Sure you may not see the romanticism of sleeping on the ground, eating unusual fruits, animals and other undistinguishable items, or carrying all your worldly possessions on your back but your sons and daughters do.
Over the years, we’ve seen incredible transformations coming from the hardships our participants face. You remember when they started to walk, they fell a few times and had to strengthen their leg muscles by crawling and eventually pulling themselves to a standing position. The pilgrimage of the World Race is very much the same. The dirt, sweat, blood, cuts and bruises along the way serve a deep emotional, maturing purpose in their lives. As the process happens, I believe you will begin to see beyond the scrapes and scars and begin to see the person you always envisioned, emerge.
This is as much an adventure for you as it is for them. You may not be carrying the weight of a backpack, but you may be carrying the weight of responsibility, of fear, or even separation. You should know that they didn’t do this to you, but may be doing this because of you. They may be doing this because of your willingness to let them go off and discover themselves. They may be doing this because they are learning to implement the trust in Christ you’ve taught them about. They may be doing this because the pilgrimage has a scent about it that smells of destiny – and they want more than anything for you to support it.
I’ve put together some thoughts and observations I’ve gathered as generations of World Racers have circumnavigated the globe. I write to you as a teacher, a leader, a director, but mostly a father. Let me share the journey I’ve observed and the outcome I expect to see. It’ll be messy, I promise you that. But, ultimately, it will be good.
Emergency Contact Information
If you have an emergency related to a participant on the field, please call 678-701-8191 to reach our Field Support team.
Q: How do we know if a country is safe?
A: The Logistics department receives daily notification from a private security agency with international travel advisories along with regular advisories from the US State department. The Logistics department communicates with local contacts in-country to evaluate warnings as they relate to the specific cities our teams may plan to visit. Logistics also monitors multiple international newspapers on a regular basis. Using all of these resources Logistics and the Leadership of The World Race evaluate the risk of each location.
Q: How do we train participants to be safe?
A: Each participant is given a Safety Procedures document outlining specific behaviors to keep them safe. These behaviors include things such as travelling in groups, never alone, and having a male in the group whenever possible. We ask each participant to abide by these guidelines as well as any guidelines given by the local host contact.
Ultimately, participants are adults and must make their own choices. Sometimes participants choose to behave in an unsafe manner. Other times, despite our best efforts, unsafe situations arise. Because of this, we cannot guarantee a participant’s safety while on the field.
Q: What do we do if a country becomes unstable?
A: The Logistics and Field Support departments have specific protocol to move teams to a safe location or evacuate a country.
Q: What do we do if a participant gets sick?
A: Sickness is not uncommon as a part of the World Race. When a participant begins to experience symptoms, we advise them to seek medical attention within 48 hours. If a participant requires hospitalization, the Field Support team works with the on-field leadership to get the participant to proper medical care.
If a participant requires hospitalization while overseas, the Field Support team will contact the persons listed as Emergency Contacts on the participant’s application.
Q: What do we do if there is an emergency at home?
A: The number at the top of this page is a dedicated line directly to the Field Support team and is answered 24 hours a day. Family members are welcome to call that number in the event of an emergency and the Field Support team will get in touch with the participant within 24 hours.
Okay that was a lot of Info! Give me a call: 928 503 0208
