Hey folks! First. blog. Post. — This is a letter that I sent out to my family and friends.
For as long as I can remember I have had a desire to help those in need. When I was eight years old, my youngest brother Ben was diagnosed with Lissencephaly. Lissencephaly left Ben unable to walk, talk and feed himself and doctors predicted he would only live to his second birthday. Being a typical Troutman, Ben decided to prove the doctors wrong and instead, he became our angel here on earth. Over the years he has taught me what life is really about and how to love others who are different from me. He has shown me the selfless love that we should have towards one another as Jesus has for all of us.
For those of you who don’t know, I am currently finishing my Master of Kinesiology at Georgia Southern University and I graduate in May. For the past five years, I have been pursuing my calling of helping those in need by applying to Physician Assistant school. But as hard as I was trying to get in, something just didn’t feel right. This past year I have been praying for God to tear me down and build me back up – to show me what His truest desires are and for me to run the race He has set before me with perseverance (Hebrews12:1). I never want to be comfortable or idle in my walk with Him. I always want to be challenged into the daughter He calls me to be. This past year I had to learn how to fully trust and surrender to Him because he has my best interests at heart. After the third time of not getting accepted to schools, I turned to God and asked him what I was missing? His answer was, “Child, you’re not listening to me and I have bigger plans for you.”
In November, although I didn’t get into PA school, I was presented with an equally exciting and challenging opportunity – the World Race. God said, “Kels, I want you to be the Daughter I called you to be and the World Race is just the beginning.”
The World Race is an 11-month mission trip to 11 different countries to serve “the least of the least” while amongst real and raw community. The World Race pairs up with ministries established in those countries who have developed relationships with the community. World Racers act as another form of support.
With that being said, I am excited to announce that my team and I leave in August 2016 for the South America Expedition. The ministries in which I will be partaking is spreading the Word, manual labor (construction work), sports outreach, disaster relief, helping out at orphanages, working with sex trafficking victims, and much, much more. I will be traveling with a squad of up to 30 people, but will minister in a team of approximately 3-5 people within each country.
I felt peace and warmth engulf me, more than I had ever felt, when deciding to embark on this God-called journey. Matthew 7:24 says, “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on a rock.” I fully understand that it will be very challenging at times but I am building my foundation through Christ and I know that He will be there every step of the way.
Community is also a very important and needed aspect of this journey and I hope you are willing to join me on this adventure. Ways you can support me are through prayer, encouragement, and financial support. Prayer is powerful and I pray that you all keep me in your prayers while I am on this journey. You can keep up with me through my blog: kelseytroutman.theworldrace.org. Financially, I am having to raise a total of $17,561. My deadlines are as follows:
- $5,000 – Due 5/13/2016 (Fundraising Goal 1)
- $10,000 – Due 7/22/2016 (Fundraising Goal 2)
- $13,000 – Due 9/30/2016 (Fundraising Goal 3)
- $17,561 – Due 11/30/2016 (Fundraising Goal 4)
** All donations are tax deductible**
I pray that God moves in each of your hearts to support me in one of those ways. If you are able to donate, there is a “Support Me” link on my blog page.
I know that God has equipped me through the years to embark on this and I couldn’t be more thrilled to be reaching the unreached. I also want to thank you for being in my life because I know God has used you to get me where I am today. Thanks again and please be in touch if you have any questions. I hope you follow me throughout my race!
Cheers,
Kelsey
