I am always blown away with what God has in store for this mission trip. From day one he has been what I am leaning on to complete this. There is no way that I would be able to do this without Him and without all you beautiful people in my life!
So about two weeks or so ago I did an interview with the Pioneer News, a local newspaper here in Shepherdsville. Through this interview I figured I would get a little interest piece about person of the week or something that would easily get passed over. Well God had bigger plans. He decided to blow my picture up, have the staff writer write a huge article, and put me on not only the second page of the newspaper, but also introduce the article on the first page. Guys did you hear that my article title was on the first page of the newspaper. I am nerding out over here!
So I wanted to share to everyone!!!
Article Reads:
Flowers is on mission to 11 countries and 11 months
In October; Lydia Flowers will embark on the journey of her lifetime. Flowers, 23, will visit 11 countries in 11 months as part of Adventures in Mission’s World Race program.
After receiving her masters degree in social work from Campbellsville University in May. Flowers returned to her home in Shepherdsville to work as a foster parent supervisor at New Hope Foster Homes. Because Flowers said she felt like she was getting her life together; she ignore the idea of mission work.
Nonetheless she felt like she was being called to serve internationally. While searching for mission trips on the Internet, Flowers said she stumbled across the World Race and felt as if God was speaking to her.
“I kept putting it off because I thought my life was together and I didn’t need this crazy 11 month trip,” Flowers said ‘but I just felt like I was being called to do this. So I told God if you want me to go, send me!”
And Flower said that is exactly what God did in November 2015, Flowers sent in her application to The World Race and went through a month of personal interviews before officially being accepted as a racer.
Flowers, along with 40 to 50 other participants, or racers, will be flying to South America, (Actually supposed to be Central American oops), Africa, and Asia in October as she volunteers in less fortunate communities. The group will be living out of the backpack during the time in each country with money to eat at local markets or restaurants.
In order to prepare for a change and location, and culture, the squad will train in August. Each racer must be able to walk 3 miles with a pack on their back in under 50 minutes. In addition to physical training, World Race will train the squad spiritually before it embarks on its mission.
Flowers said her decision to join World Race has already proven itself useful as she has come into contact with old and new friends inspired by her decision.
In fact, when Flowers told her friend Kris Hale of her decision, Flowers said she also felt the call to join World Race.
“I told Kris that I was leaving and she said she was angry because she had wanted to go on the trip forever,” Flowers said. ‘Eventually, she decided to apply for the trip next January.” (She was accepted!!!)
Flowers said she believes the trip will also give her guidance in her own life. Her dream is to work in international adoption and her time in countries like Kenya may give her a chance to interact with people who can help her understand the children and their situation.
“I’m excited for Kenya because I can hopefully work with the orphanages and I can see if this is really God’s plan for me,” Flowers said.
O travel to Kenya and the 10 other countries, each racer must collect $16,561 before and during the trip. With such an enormous goal, Flowers said she has picked up a second job and is currently selling T-shirts and handmade coffee mugs. (didn’t actually take the second job for fundraising. That would be no fun. I took it because I love working with Cuban refugees…)
“I just recently hit my $5,000 fundraising goal, but I still have to raise $10,000 by the time we leave and $16,000 during my trip.” Flowers said.
Flowers is hosting a yard sale on June 11 at 387 N. Williams Road in Brooks to generate funds. She will host a chili cook-off and silent auction at Little Flock Baptist Church on July 17.’
“I want to be a completely different person when I come back from this,” Flowers said. “I want to have no doubts and be more like Him through this trip.”
To help Flowers raise funds for the trip, visit her World Race blog lydiaflowers.theworldrace.org, or contact her at [email protected].
