I’m Emily Werness and there’s just so much to say! (And a lot more to pray about!!) God has led me here, to the World Race. There have been many questions, doubts, frustrations, and even tears up to this point. (I have a funny feeling there will be even more as I prepare to leave the country for 11 months!) I first heard about the World Race from some fellow staff at a Christian family guest ranch I worked at for a short time in Colorado and at the time, I thought, wow that sounds amazing, but Lord, I don’t think I could ever do that – there are too many obstacles! Ever since I left the ranch in 2012, God has been working on my heart, pouring his love over me, and asking me to trust him.

He asked me to trust him when I broke my right hand and had to leave the ranch and couldn’t work. And so I did. He revealed to me that I am not defined by my abilities, but by the love he has for me.

He asked me to trust him when I began the excruciating job hunting process. And so I did. This extra time allowed me to spend more time with my Father and just rest in his presence.

He asked me to trust him when I turned down jobs and was back to square one with no possibilities. And so I did. Literally two days after I turned down my last opportunity I received a call about a job opening I didn’t know existed that fit perfectly with what I needed. And fun fact, it is where I currently still work!

He asked me to trust him when more than one possibility of moving to South Dakota was in front of me, and he asked me to trust him as door after door closed. And so I did. This caused me to really search my heart and ask myself who I was trying to please, was I really trusting God for his best for me or my own idea of his best?

He asked me to trust him when I finally obeyed his whispers in my heart to apply to the World Race. And me being me, I had to have a back-up plan/another option, so I also applied to Teach for America. Yup, there was a lot of doubt here, but God just said over and over, trust me.

He asked me to trust him completely with the application process for both. And so I did. Amidst the worries and thoughts of the future, his peace was just overwhelming.

I thought I would have a big decision to make between two great opportunities, but God shut the door on Teach for America, pretty much slammed it in my face, and I realized, that for me, that was the “safe” option. Not to say that it wouldn’t challenge me or push me, but most of it I could see myself trying to do on my own strength. The World Race is something I know I cannot do.

He asks me now to continue to trust him. And I do. He has proven himself faithful time and time again.

Don’t get me wrong, there are a lot of worries, fears, and doubts that plague my mind about this whole thing.

$16,000 Lord?! That’s quite the chunk of change to raise, not to mention gear, flights to training camp, and other expenses….?!!

“Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” -Matthew 19:26

 

God, so much can happen and go wrong as we travel from country to country – sickness, natural disasters, hostility…

“The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul.The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever.” -Psalm 121:7-8

 

I’m going to have to leave my home – my family and friends!

“Jesus replied, ‘Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.'” – Luke 9:58

 

What if my squad thinks I’m just plain weird….

“You have searched me, Lord,and you know me…I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made…” -Psalm 139:1 & 14

 

God, I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t some fear in my heart.

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” – Deuteronomy 31:8

 

I’m Emily Werness and I trust you Jesus.

 

 

“The gospel is so valuable that no risk is unreasonable.” -David Sitton