Here are the top 11 Pre-Launch questionsI get asked all the time:
1. Where do you live now?
a. I couch hop in NJ. Right now, I’m mostly with my good friend Kimmy Kim. We work together and she lives right down the road from work. If I don’t have to work, I stay at my Aunt Debbies, or my sisters.
2. Where is all your stuff?
a. Most of it has been sold. I came from MO with what could fit in my car, and most of that will stay at my sisters.
3. When do you leave?
a. On Sept 4th, I leave for ‘Launch’. I have to meet the rest of my squad in Chicago on Sept 5th. From there we have 4 days of training and leave the country together.
4. Are you getting nervous?
a. No. Not even a little bit. I am just EXCITED! I expect to encounter some of the most difficult times in my life. But I trust the Lord and I look forward to the changes that will happen in me through the challenges I face.
5. Do you get paid?
a. No. Actually, I have to pay to go….
6. How much does it cost?
a. The trip itself costs $15,500. I also had to buy gear, get shots, get insurance, buy a plane ticket to training camp, launch, and then back home after the race, need spending money for the year and have some student loans to pay while im gone.
b. See my last blog – ‘Final Needs’ for more info.
7. Is this a vacation?
a. No. It is more like an assignment. I get to serve some of the most broken, poor, sick, and needy people in the world. I will pour out my sweat, blood, tears, and love…..giving 100%, and letting Jesus refill my cup so I can pour it all out again the next day.
8. Where will you be?
a. see next answer, but the itinerary so far is: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Philippines, Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda
9. What will you be doing?
a. Things change constantly overseas, so I don’t really know. Often, even if I think I know where I will be or what I will be doing, it will be something totally different. That is part of the beauty of serving those with the greatest need. I follow Jesus wherever He says go, and do what He would do.
b. Some examples of what I COULD be doing are: loving AIDS babies, serving in orphanages, bringing food to the homeless, teaching skills to former prostitutes, befriending prostitutes and inviting them to a different kind of life, teaching English, planting gardens, building buildings, tending fields, ministering to drug addicted streat kids, mentoring gang members, visiting hospitals and prisons, rehabilitating people rescued from human trafficking.
10. How can I reach you/keep up with you while you are gone?
a. I am bringing a laptop, so I can blog all along the way. This is the best place for the most up to date info. After blogging, if I have time, I will jump on Facebook and email. You can leave me a comment at the bottom of each blog, or send me an email using the ‘contact me’ link on the left.
11. What are you going to do after the World Race?
a. I expect to be so changed by the experience that I don’t think Michelle today can know for sure what Michelle then will want to do. I have some thoughts of course, but really I don’t know.
