These last few years for me have brought so much uncertainty. There is something about uncertainty and the unknown that is very uncomfortable to me. I’ve felt like the Israelites wandering in the desert, not knowing what to do, what comes next or how long it will take to get there. I am reminded that this season of desert wandering, as frustrating as it may be, is part of my story, just like it was for the Israelites. Well, the next part of my story is unraveling, and I know that at least for the 11 months that I will be on the field I will not be wandering. I know exactly where I am supposed to be: Moldova, Romania, Kosovo, Albania, Mozambique, Swaziland, South Africa, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia.
SO WHY THE WORLD RACE?
Way before I even knew about the World Race, I went on a mission trip to Guatemala for a week with my church. The whole week was an outreach to various orphanages. As a 14 year old girl who had EVERYTHING, my heart was broken for these children who didn’t know what it looked like to be loved in the simplest of form. Ever since that trip, I knew God would be preparing my heart for missions one day. Through high school and college I kept going on mission trips, deepening my closeness with my Jesus. Although if I’m being honest, going on mission trips with the desire to purely serve wasn’t there until college. My heart was in a different place in high school. Nevertheless, God had a purpose for each trip and lessons to teach me with each one.
The desert wandering that I was referring to has been an array of things. It has been literally wandering from major to major, trying to figure out what is me and what is not. What do I actually enjoy and what just sounds good? It has been wondering how long before I actually enjoy these college years that are supposed to be “the best.” It has been learning to be content in the “waiting” stage for so, so many things. It has been wondering what on earth IS my next step after college? Do I move out of parents and live on my own for a while? Do I stay? Do I work? World Race? What? WHAT DO I DO?? It didn’t help that I had no clue whatsoever what I wanted to do with my Business degree. I’ve never had a career goal -another part of that difficult desert wandering. But that doesn’t mean I can’t get a job and work, right? So why not just work after graduating in May, get a place of my own, learn to cook for that hubby one day, and START MY LIFE? Well, God has a way of using other people to give us the answers He wants us to hear. His answer for me was simple: THE WORLD RACE!
He says, “Trust me with this step, and everything else will follow.”
Will it be HARD? YES
Will I cry and want to come home? At some point, probably, yes
Will I be filthy and smell half of the time? Most likely (sorry, team)
Will it be uncomfortable in all sorts of ways? Absolutely
Will it be life changing and transforming? In ways I can’t even imagine right now!
Will it be filled with adventure and good times? YESS!
Will it be rewarding? In more ways than one.
Will I make new friends and become family with my team? You bet! Can you imagine spending a YEAR with just 5-7 people? I can’t wait to experience that bond!!
