I found out about the World Race. I was in my freshman dorm room and I started looking up 'college mission trips' and I of course found Adventures in Missions. Before my google search began, I had a conversation with the girl living next door to me, who ended up becoming a great friend, about her experience serving in Africa. She graduated from HS early and then spent an entire semester in Kenya. My first thought was, "Wow. People actually do that?! For 4 months straight? Africa??!" Up until this point, I had never met anyone who traveled across the globe to serve God. My second thought was, "Well, maybe I could do something like that one day."
I went back to the AIM website and started reading about the World Race. I was amazed that young people would give an entire year of their lives and live out of a backpack, serve on the streets of India, hold beautiful orphans in Swaziland, love on prostitutes in Thailand, and do all of this while living in community with one another. I started reading blog after blog and my heart was stirred up for what God was doing in the Nations. I loved reading about the truth and identity He was speaking into the lives of World Racers. I was encouraged by the greater measures of freedom He was releasing for participants to walk in. I loved reading the blogs titled, "You know you're on the WR when…" because I imagined myself encountering the same experiences one day: the forever long bus rides, the feedback sessions, bucket showers, squatty potties, living with same people for 11 months, never having alone time, sleeping anywhere, etc. I was eager and yet so scared to encounter this myself. For the next 4 years, I shared with my parents and closest friends about how I felt called to go on this unique journey.
And now, here I am, finally preparing to go on the World Race. I leave in September with a squad of 70 other disciples and I am beyond excited for what the Lord has in store. It's been a dream of mine for 4 years and I am now only 4 months away from it actually becoming a reality. One thing I've been reminded of as I prepare for the WR is that this is my journey. It's not a journey that will look exactly like the participants I followed. It's a journey about what God wants to do in and through me. I can't compare my story with those who have gone before or with my squadmates. Sure, I've been greatly encouraged by the testimonies shared from past racers and even current ones, but I also want to believe that God will do miraculous things in and through me. As an avid WR blog reader, it's easy to get immersed in what God is doing in other people's lives instead of reflecting on what He is doing in mine. With all of that said, I am thrilled yet very nervous to expose parts of myself through this blog. This is going to be very stretching for me, as will many other things I experience on the World Race.
I heard this song on the radio several months back I believe the Lord used it to give me the courage to finally send out my support letters. My prayer is that He would encourage you through these lyrics to step out into the unknown in an area of your life. Would you dare to trust God and allow Him to lead you? Remember, He will never forsake you. You are not alone!
When you take that first step into the unknown,
You know that He won't let you go.
So what are you waiting for? What do you have to lose?
Your insecurities, they try to hold to you.
But you know you're made for more, so don't be afraid to move.
Your faith is all it takes, and you can walk on the water, too.
So get out, and let your fear fall to the ground
No time to waste, don't wait, and don't you turn around and miss out
Everything you were made for, I know you're not sure.
So you play it safe, you try to run away.
If you take that first step into the unknown,
You know that He won't let you go.
Here I am Lord, stepping out into the unknown. Send me!
