As I am enterring this process, I've been asked a number of times in a number of different ways this question. Why the World Race?
A number of factors went into making this decision. I initially was looking at different ministry organizations that were taking groups to Haiti. I was looking to take a group from my home church after finishing graduate school and as I was googling, I stumbled across the World Race. My first thought was, "Is there anything more perfect for me?"
I love to travel and visit different countries. As a history teacher, the idea of being able to visit different countries and interact in different cultures is amazing. I love that on this trip I will be able to visit at least 5 major conflict zones of the 20th century.
But, it isn't just about the travel. Ghandi, who I disagree with philosophically in a lot of areas said, "Be the change you want to see in the world." The message is that if you don't like something go about making a different that will create change. This trip is about being able to go to countries where you are working the the poor, the marginalized, the lost, the abandoned, and the orphaned makes my heart beat faster. The Bible in Matthew 25:40 says "whatever you did for one of the least of these you did for me." I love to serve. The idea of being able to make a difference, interact in other cultures and serve in 11 countries is an amazing combination and one I feel like God is calling me to.
Do I wrestle with the desire to settle? Absolutely!!! I'd love to have a house, unpack my stuff out of storage and a place to call my own for more than a few years at a time. But, I'm single, have no lease, and am not yet fully employed and so now is the time.
I laugh at the number of times I have heard, "When are you going to settle down?" I don't know. I love teaching and look forward to the day when I will have my own classroom. But, until God guides me down that path, I'll continue to do the next thing he puts in front of me. Today, that is The World Race.
