Hi there. I wrote this blog to hopefully try to answer some questions about what I will be doing after I graduate from Texas Tech in May. So here are the WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, and WHY’s of the world race.
Who? Me!! I will be traveling through Adventures in Missions (ADV) and The World Race (TWR) with around 40-50 other people when we are going from country to country. When we get to each country we will then split off into smaller groups of 5-7 people for the remainder of the month. (So don’t worry everyone, I will not be doing this by myself, praise God).
What will you be doing? I will be doing things like construction, trusting God, loving on orphans, exposing my heart to more of the world’s brokenness, teaching English to children and adults, depending on God, teaching in schools, living in community, working with youth, encouraging other believers, seeking a deeper relationship with God, praying over the sick, partnering with local churches and pastors, serving at refugee camps, meeting up with college students, preaching, handing out food to the hungry, helping special needs children with physical therapy, anything the Lord asks us to do. I don’t know the specifics but what I do know is that I will be loving people because God loved us first. That might look different month to month (and even day to day) but at the root of it all it is the same – to be willing to do anything so that some might see the love of Christ through us.
When are you leaving? I will be leaving during the first part of August. I don’t know of an exact date yet, but we will find out those details closer to then. I also have a 10 day training camp that is in June in Georgia.
Where are you going? This question makes me so excited!!
- Serbia
- Romania
- Bulgaria
- Greece
- Namibia
- Botswana
- Zambia
- Malaysia
- Thailand
- Cambodia
- Vietnam
The route is subject to change, but this is where I will be as of right now!
Why? Because God asked me to. I know, I know… I am not saying that to sound cliché or as a copout. I am being 100000% honest. And because I am being honest I need you to also know that I cried when I knew that the Lord was asking this of me. I cried because I knew it would mean being completely out of my comfort zone. Everything that makes me feel safe would be in Lubbock/Olton and I would not be. For almost a whole year. I cried because it would be easier if I said “no”. I cried because it would be more practical if I graduated and got a job teaching at an elementary school instead. It would be easier if I stayed close to my family and my community that love me and push me to be like Jesus. But, after a few moments of tears I smiled. I smiled because I know that He is good. I know that He is sovereign and in the worst case scenario He is still God. I smiled because He knows what my heart loves to do. He knows that I love people so He asked me to serve Him in this way. He knows what makes my heart flutter and soar, he knows what makes me excited and ya’ll I am so excited. Sometimes I have to double check that this opportunity is even real because it feels like a dream.So yes, I am scared but if I weren’t scared how could I trust and depend on his grace to sustain me?
How can you help me? I am prideful by nature, so this section makes me humble before God and you because I cannot do this alone. If you would like to help me, pray. Pray for my heart. Pray for the countries I will be in. Pray for the people I will meet. Pray that I will have the funds to go. Pray for safety and good health. Pray for my family. Pray for the team I will be traveling with. Pray that The Lord would show you how you can support me in other ways. Support me financially. This adventure does cost money that I am required to raise, and I don’t have the money to go. And I cannot provide the money all by myself. There are several ways you can support me financially, the easiest one being going to the top of this page and clicking the “SUPPORT ME” button. I also have fundraisers in the works (things like t-shirts, bracelets, benefit dinners) so please be on the lookout for those!
So I hope this answered some of your major questions. If it didn’t then please don’t hesitate to ask, really. Thank you for reading. To all of my people – thank you for being excited for me, thank you for all of the encouragement I have received since I announced that I was going to do this, thank you for asking questions. I love ya’ll more than you know.
All of the love,
Emily
1 Peter 4:8-11
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
