Picture sitting around a table at a restaurant with a group of friends who have been overseas. One of the conversations was about teaching English overseas and using the bible as the main book. Enter thought into my own head, I want to do that some day. I am currently doing that. If you would have told me that January 2009 afternoon that I would actually have the chance to do that, I would have told you not possible. In 2012 I moved to Florida, I thought I would be working there for the rest of my life. God had other plans. In 2014 God put South Korea on my heart and after about 11 months of looking into things and praying he answered and opened doors. You see back in 2009 I made a promise to God, I would go anywhere in the world as long as I didn’t have to ask people or raise my own funds to go. Early 2014 I was looking at the Word Race, but when I saw the price I immediately said no. But God has been bringing it back up almost every month since then. Earlier this month I decided to look into things again. I was trying to kill time while my students were taking a huge test. We weren’t teaching that day. I found a route and at first I was not going to apply. I even sent a message to a girl I know telling her that I was scared to take a leap of Faith and apply. Her parent’s are squad coaches for the race. I heard God tell me shortly after sending that message to trust him. So I applied. I didn’t think I could pay the fee till later on that night because I didn’t think I had my wallet on me, but sure enough I did. Then I filled out the interview application. 3 weeks later and here we are accepted and starting this journey.
If you’re not familiar with the World Race, you’re probably wondering what I’m talking about. I’ll be posting about the World Race often over the next year, so here are a few answers to some frequently asked questions.
What is the World Race?
The World Race is an 11 month mission trip, where I’ll be living in 11 countries for a month each. The mission is to serve “the least of these” while amongst true raw community.
Where will you be going?
As of right now (routes often change), I will be going to India, Nepal, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Greece, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Botswana, Swaziland, and South Africa.
Who will you be going with?
I will be going with a ministry called Adventures in Missions where I will be on a squad of 40-50 people from ages 21 to 35. From there, we will be split into teams. The people in my squad will become my family for the next year.
What will you be doing?
My team and I will be working with local ministries in need of volunteers. These ministries will be helping out their people in different ways, depending on the country, city, etc.
How will you be fundraising for this thing?
I will be doing a few different things to fundraise. I will be selling T-shirts and baked goods. For much of the fundraising though, I will be asking others for support.
What about teaching?
I have stopped my certification program for a few different reasons. It was getting really complicated. My mentors are not familiar with the common core. And with me teaching in the afternoons, there wasn’t really any time for me to learn everything I needed to learn to be the best. I have talked with my program and they have agreed to let me start once I return from the race, Lord willing of course.
How can I help?
The most important way you can help is by partnering with me and my squad through prayer. Pray that we can grow close together quickly. Pray that we can learn to serve each other just like we will be serving those God calls us to. Pray that we are kept safe and healthy. Pray for change in my heart and those that we come in connection with. Pray for the countries we are going to.
The hardest part of this journey for me is raising my own funds. I hate asking for help of any kind, much less in the form of money. But God has told me to trust him. As I will be the hands and feet of Jesus, I can’t do that without the rest of the body. (AKA you! the sender’s)
I have to raise $17,017 to cover my living and travel costs while I’m away, and there are several ways to help me in this. You can donate to my trip as a one-time gift or as monthly donations, allowing you to choose the amount and beginning and end date. If you would like to do this, please make checks payable to Adventures in Missions PO Box 534470 Atlanta, GA, 30353-4470. Make sure to specify that you would like the donation to go to Janet Heismann or your donation will not be sent to my account. If you would prefer to make a donation online, you may do so by clicking the “Support Me” link on the left side of the page and complete your donation as instructed. Keep in mind, though, that a 5% credit card fee will be taken out of the donation for credit card processing. Also know that these donations are not refundable.
There will be a few other ways to help me as well. Soon, I will be selling my tshirts for $20, and once I get those up I will post a blog with the link.
Lastly, share this! You can never have too much prayer and support!
“You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.” 2 Corinthians 3:3
