As I’ve started telling people about the fact that I’m leaving in January for the World Race, I’ve heard many interesting responses. I think most people who know me well weren’t really taken by surprise. They’d probably seen this coming for years. Still, my announcement has been met with much less excitement and fewer high fives than I expected. Most often, people respond with something like, “Wait, really?”
In the past few weeks I’ve also been asked some tough questions about why I’m going. Many of these questions have come from people I love and respect, and I’m truly grateful that people are asking them. As much as it hurts a little to know that some people aren’t afraid to tell me that they do not support me going on the Race, I understand where they’re coming from.
In case you’re one of those people in my life who is wondering why exactly I’m doing this, I wrote this blog for you. I’d like to publically respond to some common (and some interesting) questions that I’ve been asked lately, and ultimately I want to be real and raw with you and tell you why I’m doing the World Race.
Pamukkale, Turkey
“Why can’t you do mission work in the United States?”
This is the most frequently asked question I get, and it’s one that’s rolled around in my head for years. Here’s the thing: America is a massive mission field. There is undoubtedly a lot of work to be done here.
The thing is though, the Lord has designed me and called me to go abroad, at least for a while. I’ve participated in many American mission trips that have each looked different. But what makes me come alive the most is foreign missions. I’ve been given specific spiritual gifts that make me inclined to living and working on foreign soil. Please understand this: it’s not that I don’t want to do mission work in America, because I do. It’s more that the Lord has given me the chance to go abroad and participate in what he’s doing somewhere else for a while.
“You’re not going to make any real difference in one month.”
I’ve seen first hand the destructive effects that short-term missions have had on communities and individuals. I’ve studied missions academically and heard many lectures on the corrupt history of Christian mission movements. I’ve also done research on AIM and the World Race because I truly do not want to be a part of an organization that doesn’t do missions in a fruitful, biblical, productive, sustainable manner.
After reading blogs, talking to Racers, and asking AIM staff members about the short-term-ness of the World Race, I’ve come to the conclusion that one month's time, if used correctly, is enough to make an impact. And besides, it’s not up to me to make a difference. It’s about the One who sent me.
Here’s a statement from a previous World Racer on her thoughts about the short-term-ness of the Race:
“Why don’t you just move to the Middle East [or one country] for eleven months?”
Very good question. This is related to the above question about short-term mission work. The quick answer to this is – I’m not ready to move somewhere long term yet. First of all, I don’t know exactly where I’m called to move to or what ministry I should work with. I definitely have some ideas, but God hasn’t opened those doors yet.
One thing I do hope to learn from the Race is more about international ministry. I want to learn about what kinds of ministries are out there, which ones are producing fruit, what the common struggles of ministries are, and most importantly – how I can get involved for longer periods of time. Like I said, I have a good idea about the kind of long-term ministry I want to do, but as of right now, God has not led me in that direction. Instead, he’s led me to the Race.
“Where are you going and how will you get there?”
I’m going to these countries. Throughout the year, we’ll use many different forms of transportation including (but not limited to): planes, buses, taxis, rickshaws/autos/motorcars/tuk-tuks, boats, and bikes. At the end of each month, we will travel on to the next country using the appropriate transportation.
“What kind of shoes will you wear in Africa?”
I’m currently resisting the urge to join the Chaco club, but I might have to give in. I wear Tevas a lot in America though, so chances are that I will be wearing Tevas, Chacos, and/or tennis shoes in Africa. Please don’t worry about me getting a foot fungus.
"What kind of ministry will you do?"
It will be different in every country. In general, you can expect that our ministry will at some point involve: working with children/orphans/street kids; AIDS/HIV care; construction work; human trafficking work; evangelism; church-planting; teaching English; ect. Often, my team and I will not know the specifics of our ministry for the month until we are already in-country.
"What will you do when you get back?"
I have some ideas… but let's slow down. I haven't even left yet.
Cappadocia, Turkey
So, why am I going on the World Race? To put it simply: because God told me to go. If you are not a Christian, this answer will not make sense to you. But if you are a Believer, then you understand that the Lord calls ALL his people to be missionaries.
For some people, the mission field looks like an office building or a classroom or an ER. For me, right now, the mission field looks like these eleven countries.
I want to see the nations transformed by the Gospel. I want to participate in God’s work around the world – work that’s breaking the chains of oppression, slavery, poverty, sexism, racism, and hatred. It is not okay with me that there are still millions of people who've never heard the Gospel. It is not okay with me that there are orphans, poverty-stricken countries, wars, and slaves. Is that okay with you?
I am not going on the World Race because I want to travel. I am not going on the Race because I’m escaping responsibility. I am not going on the Race because I don’t have any other options after graduation. I am not going on the Race for the sole reason of experiencing personal growth.
I’m doing the Race because Jesus saved me so I could serve him. And the World Race is the way he has told me to serve him at this point in my life.
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