I wanted to take the time to answer a lot of the frequently asked questions about the trip and AIM and the process of joining the World Race June squad.
And….go!
Go HERE to read the official FAQ page from Adventures In Missions about the trip. And below are questions I’ve been asked.
Q. Where will you be going?
A. The race route is tentative. Like anywhere else in the world, things come up and you’ll be taking detours. Right now the route is as follows: Guatemala–> Nicaragua–>Romania–>Ukraine–> Israel–> Mozambique/Malawi–> Swaziland–>Malaysia/Indonesia–>Philippines–>Thailand! For a little more info about the June race, go HERE.
Q. What will you be doing in the different countries?
A. Well the ministries/labor will vary from place to place. The majority of the countries we go to AIM has missionaries or partners with local churches already there. We will be coming alongside them to support and serve as they do. God isn’t exactly providing a detailed itinerary for this adventure. We’re going to learn a lot by obedience to His Word and gentle whisper. We may be working with orphans, teaching English, VBS, sports camps, construction/cleaning, evangelism, reaching out to prostitues in red-light districts and much more. This isn’t a church retreat. We’re going to get our hands and feet dirty to serve “the least of these”, the oppressed, the poor in spirit. We are there to help with physical, community, and spiritual need.
Q. What about your safety? Are you afraid?
A. The June squad has been broken down into 5 teams. Each team has about 5 girls and 2 guys who are graciously serving as protectors. My brothers are amazing. I can’t thank God enough for everything they will go through and how they will take care of us women out on the field. I don’t expect this trip to be persecution-free. I’m not worried…God has His eyes on me the entire time! I’m choosing to live a discipline of risk. AIM wouldn’t purposely put us in harms way, it’s a mutual trust. We are all adults on this trip and will be using common sense. No one will ever get to be alone.
Q. Who are you going with? Do you know anybody?
A. There are 34 of us crazy people on the June ’09 I-squad. We met for the first time at training in Georgia. Prior to training, we took a couple personality tests and then went through many team-building exercises at camp. After much prayer, racers were divvied up into 5 teams. We will most likely all travel together as a squad, but we will be family with our teams. This is who we will live and serve with 24/7. I’m on Team NEON! 😉 No doubt we’ll bicker like siblings, but we are committed to working out our issues, speaking truth in love, respecting each other and carrying each other’s burdens. (We’ve been together for 10 days at camp and we’re already missing each other) =P
Also, we have two alumni racers who will be our squad leaders, Patrice Deaton and Gretchen Kiehlbaugh . They will stay with us probably the first three months to teach us the ropes and help us out, but then the training wheels will be taken off so to speak. These ladies are awesome; we’re in good hands!
Q. Where will you be living?
A. This varies by the country. We may be hosted by a church to sleep in their building. We may stay with host families. We will definitely be camping out at some point (certainly in airports for long layovers, whoo hoo!). My mom just bought me a tent and I expect to have a few competitions against Kel in setting it up! I’m basically living out of my backpack for a year too. Sweet!
Q. How can you afford a trip like this?
A. Haha, I can’t, but God can! The total cost of the trip (ministry expenses, travelling, food, lodging, training, debriefs, etc.) is $13,800. I am currently support-raising for this amount. Things that are out-of-pocket are vaccinations, medical insurance, travel to start point & travel home, extra $ for eating out, souvenirs, etc. Thankfully God has provided me with a job to take care of most these personal expenses. If I raise beyond the $13,800 I can be reimbursed for a couple of these items.
Q. How will you stay in touch? Will we know what the teams are doing out on the field?
A. Subscribing to this blog is ideal. We will have internet access in most places we go to, airports probably too. (Obviously not so much if we’re in the bush in Africa). Our team leaders will always be able to contact AIM staff should anything happen. I want you supporters and random people alike to see how God is answering prayers so no fear…you will hear from me. I will be posting pictures, videos & blogs as frequently as possible so you’re in the loop.
I will NOT be receiving mail or packages from home while I’m away. The best way to reach me is to leave me a comment or message here on the blogs. I will be using Skype to make calls to family and friends. I don’t have an account set up yet, but when I do, I will post that info on here.
No doubt this doesn’t answer ALL your questions, but it’s a start eh?
LET’S RACE!
-Issa
