I decided it was about time to do a blog post to explain what my crazy trip next year is all about. I have been asked all sorts of questions and they all seem to be the same ones. This is a post for people who want to understand what the World Race is, why I am going, and why you should support me. This is a post for people who know me very well or maybe even those who don’t know me at all. I hope I can explain any questions you might have and I hope I can share with you my heart, and why this trip matters so much!
What is the World Race?
The World Race is an eleven month long mission trip where teams full of young adults ages 21-35 travel to eleven different countries to serve local communities and further the Kingdom of God. We will not necessarily be preaching off of street corners (though we might sometimes) but instead we share the Gospel through humbly serving the local people and living out life with them; helping in whatever ways we can, and simply building loving relationships with people. We will be in each country for a month doing all sorts of ministries. We could be doing anything from building houses, schools or churches, feeding the poor, teaching English, working in orphanages, loving on abandoned orphans , spending time with widows, sharing Jesus with prostitutes or cleaning up neighborhoods. The countries I will be traveling to include Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, South Africa, Mozambique, Swaziland, Thailand, Burma (Myanmar), Malaysia and the Philippines. This itinerary could change though, if anything drastic happens.
The World Race is an Adventures in Missions trip. Adventures in Missions is an interdenominational mission trip organization. This means that AIM does not affiliate with nor are they funded by a specific denomination, but instead work with people from all different Christian denominations to see lives all around the World transformed by Jesus’ love. AIM believes in the power of discipleship, prayer and relationships in the furthering of the Gospel. This is taken directly from their website:
We seek to disciple as Jesus did; our vision is that God would use us to raise up a generation of radically committed disciples of Jesus Christ.
Why do I want to go?
Well ,first of all, I firmly believe that every Christian is called to “go” in one way or another. Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 28 to “make disciples of all nations”. I believe the Great Commission looks different for everyone; some people are called to serve in their hometowns or workplaces, some people are called to serve overseas and be missionaries in other countries, and some people are blessed enough to be able to give financially. All of these are of equal importance.
Second of all, I have felt a specific calling to missions since my eight grade year in school. Since then I have never been able to shake off the feeling that God was calling me to serve overseas, especially in Africa. I firmly believe my desire to go on the Race comes from Jesus, and He is asking me to trust Him and follow Him on this adventure. I want to go because I want to see Jesus working all over the world, I want to see His love changing people across the globe. I want to see His love comfort the lonely and the brokenhearted. I want to worship with the underground church, I want to learn from my brothers and sisters from other countries, and most of all, I want to honor God and follow Him when He calls.
How much does this trip cost?
My route will cost about $15,500. This amount includes my travel, food and housing expenses throughout the entire year. This amount does NOT include my personal spending money (needed for travel days, clothes, and the occasional candy bar!), immunizations, my gear and supplies for the year, or my flight to and from launch. This amount may be daunting, trust me, it is to me too, but nothing is too much for our God! When He calls us to something, He will provide what is necessary to make it possible! I am fully trusting that He will provide! He has already provided me with $1,550!
My deadlines are:
$3,500 in my account by September 28th
$6,500 in my account by December 18th
$11,000 in my account by April 1st (end of three months on the field)
$15,500 and fully funded by July 1st, 2014 (end of six months)
How can you help?
You can help me either by keeping me in your prayers (I fully believe in the power of prayer) or giving financially. You can pray for me, my future team, the countries and people we will be serving, and our hearts! You can give financially by clicking on the Support Me tab on the left side of my blog and donating online. Please pray about whether you would like to give one time or maybe even a monthly amount. Either way, every little bit counts and I am so appreciative of every single prayer and financial donation! I am also selling T-shirts with my motto verse on it (1 John 4:19) “We love Because He first Loved us” I am selling them for $20 a shirt! Send me your name and what sizes you need and I will collect the money when I put in the order! (Images coming to blog soon but available on my Facebook)
Thank you so much for taking time to read this blog and being interested in my trip! I am so excited for this next adventure in my life and so excited to share what God does with this! Please keep up with my blog and keep me in your prayers just as you are in mine! God Bless you all, Keep the Faith!
In Christ,
Lacey
