I wish I were sharing this over coffee with each and every one of you…
Writing this in a post seems surreal. I cannot believe I’m introducing myself to the world as a missionary. I’m completely unqualified for this.
I sit here in Portland, Oregon amazed that after an hour and a half of me sharing my deepest hurts, struggles, fears, and sins…with a total stranger… I have the honor of serving as a missionary with The World Race. But most of you reading this didn’t even know I had applied for the Race… some of you don’t even know what the World Race is… so in 500 words, let me try to explain.
Where I’ve been::
For the past year, I’ve been living in Nashville. Working as a barista, a bicycle courier, and most recently…as the “merch girl” for a Christian artist, Michael W. Smith. It has been an incredible year of being stretched, being broken, being held, being challenged, and learning grace. I have been surrounded by community like never before…I know that going forward I will not be doing the race alone. I feel incredibly grateful to have a family of mentors, prayer warriors, roommates, and friends lifting me up in prayer supporting me over the next twenty months.
Where I’m going::
Beginning September 2013, I will be traveling around the world to 11 different countries for 11 months with an organization called Adventures In Missions through their program called The World Race! The Lord laid the desire on my heart, almost four years ago, and I have finally responded to the call. While on the World Race, my team and I will be living, loving, and serving as Jesus and his disciples did among the people. We will partner with local churches and ministries to love and minister to anyone from women trapped in prostitution, orphans, the homeless, sick, and widows, to planting churches, building wells, making disciples, and so much more beyond words. But above all, we will be bringing restoration and hope of God’s love to many tribes and nations.
Why I’m going::
Learn to do right; seek justice.
Defend the oppressed.
Take up the cause of the fatherless;
plead the case of the widow.– Isaiah 1:17
When I was in third grade, I told my class on career day (remember those?) that I was going to work with homeless people someday …a bit candid for a nine year old; but even so, I’ve known since my earliest memories that I was called into missions. Fast-forward thirteen years and I have absolutely zero medical, educational, or pastoral training… completely unqualified for any sort of “formal missions” ((what an oxymoron that is)). But I can love on people and that’s what the World Race is all about.
I see the World Race as an opportunity for intentional discipleship and as the next right loving step in God’s Will for my life.
Please join with me in this adventure!
There are a lot of ways you can support me…beginning with prayer.
