About two weeks ago I got some unbelievable news that I got accepted to the World Race!! I am VERY excited for this opportunity that the Lord has given me to serve Him and further His Kingdom. 🙂
The world race is a missionary journey where we (the racers) travel to 11 different countries in 11 months doing basically any type of missionary service you can think of—Vacation Bible Schools, working in orphanages, teaching English, building homes, or ministering to women and children who are involved with human trafficking. There may be times when we have accommodations, but for the most part, I will only have a hiking backpack, a small tent, and of course my hammock! 🙂
How the Lord called me to the race is an interesting one. For those of you that know me well, you know that I usually only know my life plan about a week at a time. If you ask me about next semester, next summer, or after I graduate…I won’t know the answer. So, to know what I am going to be doing for nearly an entire year is pretty crazy!
I’ve been in deep prayer this past year, simply asking the Lord, how I can be used as His servant. Not an easy task, I might add. 🙂 I had many frustrating, impatient, and confused conversations with God. But, unfailingly, every plan He has had for me thus far has left me in pure amazement. Circumstances that initially made absolutely no sense were beginning to make sense. It’s like working on a puzzle and watching the pieces beginning to come together. I’m beginning to see the bigger picture that the Lord has been planning this whole time.
Ever since I moved back from Peru as a missionary kid, I saw the condition of the US and felt a heavy burden from the Lord that He had called me to serve my home country. I have been involved in various ministries and it’s been incredible and a huge privilege to serve those around me and spread Christ’s love to others. However, this past year I have felt the Lord calling me elsewhere. Boy, has it been a journey trying to figure out exactly where that is. Missing Peru and overseas travels, my heart was being stirred for overseas missions once again. This is when the World Race came to my attention. Living out of a backpack sounded very adventurous and I was excited to learn about the 11-month mission trip. I love to travel and I also love the idea of stepping out of my comfort zone, learning about other cultures, and serving God in new ways. I applied to the World Race with honestly no expectations. I figured the Lord would work and show me His will whether I got in or not. When I heard the news that I was accepted, I can’t explain how excited I was (and am!) to be apart of this race!
The Lord has placed somewhat of a “theme verse” on my heart for this journey. It is Acts 20:24 which states, “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” I memorized this verse about a year ago and had no idea where I’d be a year from then:). I am excited to know that God can use an ordinary person like me, to do extra-ordinary things because of who He is. My faith will be tested and I will be challenged like never before, but I am excited to be a part of another journey with Christ, and one that is much bigger than I could have ever imagined!
My next steps in this journey are to begin raising support for this trip and to get prepared for training! I will need to raise $17,017 in order to go on the race. I know, this number sounds VERY large, and it is. But, I believe that if this is what the Lord has called me to, He will provide the funds I need. I have an eleven day training camp in Georgia from October 19-29th. This will essentially be a small glimpse of what the World Race will look like. I will have a test run with all of my gear and my physical fitness abilities will be tested as well (Thank God for Trinity Fitness! 🙂 ). This training camp will also provide me with more information about the race that I will be able to share with you all when I return. I can’t wait to share this journey with you all!:)
Prayer requests:
– NERVES
– A good team that I connect well with.
– That the Lord will spiritually prepare me.
Praises:
– The Lord revealing His plans for my life!
– Acceptance to the World Race!
Please feel free to comment, like, or send me messages so I can be praying specifically for each of you as well! I would love to hear what God’s doing in your life too!
