Dear Family and Friends,
Happy New Year! As the new year has just begun, I am excited to share with you that beginning August 2016, I will be leaving for 11 months to travel to 11 different countries. Please read below to learn more about the organization and the specific route that I’ll be traveling and serving with!
Here’s a glimpse of The World Race and what the life will be like for me beginning August 2016!
What is The World Race?
The World Race is, as the program states, a journey to 11 countries in 11 months to serve “the least of these” while amongst real and raw community. It is organized by Adventures in Missions (AIM), an inter-denominational organization that has sent out more than 100,000 people on mission trips since 1989. (To learn more about AIM, please visit http://www.adventures.org/)
What will I be doing?
My team and I will will be working with the local churches and organizations to meet the needs of each country. The work we will do can look different from country to country. This can range from, but not limited to, working in orphanages, doing construction work, working with sex-trafficking victims, preparing for Vacation Bible Schools. While we are in each country, we will have the opportunity to build relationship with our local communities, pray for healing over the sick, and minister to those who are hurting.
When will I leave and Who will I travel with?
I’ll be launching in August 2016! My squad will consist of the 40-60 people from all over the U.S. and maybe even Canada that signed up for the route I am committed to. We will all travel from country to country together but may not share the same ministries. Based on the results from our personalities test and the ministry bio we completed, the squads will then be broken into teams of 5-8 people that will travel together within the country.
Where will I go?
I have committed to the August 2016 Route 1. The route may change slightly but here are the countries my team and I will visit: Serbia, Albania, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. I’ve included the summary of each country below if you are interested to learn more about where I’ll go!
Serbia
Formerly a part of Yugoslavia, this country has been through it. Under Slobodan Milosevic, ethnic Albanians living in Kosovo, now an independent nation, were either displaced or killed. After Milosevic, things haven’t improved much. Here, too, organized crime and human trafficking are issues. In a place where the people seem to be leaving in droves, your presence will help bring about the redemption God wants to give them from their broken past.
Romania
Romania is home to a large gypsy community. Though strangers in their homeland and forgotten by society, the gypsies are a strong and vibrant people who embrace the light of Christ in an inspirational way. Here, you could teach English, lead sports camps, live life with the gypsies, and more. It will be an exciting time of learning about a people group you may not have known even existed.
Bulgaria
This southern-central European country is the 16th largest in Europe. Its geography is varied with mountain ranges, plains and a coastline along the Black Sea. Its economy is growing, but among all the European Union members it ranks lowest in terms of income. Organized crime is an issue as is human trafficking. Bulgaria is mainly a source of trafficking in persons yet also, to a lesser extent, a transit point and destination of trafficking. Here, about half the population claims to be orthodox and over 10% are Muslim. You can bring light and hope to this nation caught between “developed” and “developing.”
Greece
Often called the birthplace of civilization, Greece is known for its deep cultural history. Ranking high on the list of tourism destinations, Greece also has the third highest unemployment rate in the world. Over the past few years, Greece’s financial crisis has topped the news. Recently it has become a major transition point for refugees coming in through Turkey. You might give dry clothes to a shivering child or pass out cups of tea to waiting families. Whatever it is, you will be on the forefront of the relief efforts in Southern Europe—sharing hope with those fleeing their homes and seeking new futures for their families.
Namibia
Known for it’s vast Namib desert, it’s the driest African country south of the equator. The physical climate, however, does not match the spiritual climate of the country as 92% of the population is Christian. A national prayer movement is sweeping the country and missions are experiencing a time of growth. But there is still much to be reconciled. Because Namibia was formerly occupied by South Africa under apartheid, forgiveness is still needed in the nation. Whether you visit Namibia to join it’s spiritual movement or to help to heal the wounds of apartheid, you can expect God to move in Namibia.
Botswana
Although it’s one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world, Botswana has the second highest HIV infection rate, next to Swaziland, its southern neighbor. The land itself struggles with drought and desertification yet boasts the largest elephant population in the world in one of its national parks. The majority of the people identify themselves as Christians but very much need people like you to advance the kingdom with love and in power.
Zambia
After years of British colonial rule, Zambia became independent in 1964. Since then, the economy has grown and the official religion has become Christianity, but there are still great needs in Zambia. With the country near the bottom of the United Nations Human Development Index, the Zambian people still suffer from poverty, short life expectancy, malnourishment, lack of clean water, and the AIDS crisis. Zambia needs encouragement from missionaries who can remind them of God’s faithfulness in the face of challenges.
Malaysia
Enter a world entrenched in Islam. A people within the thriving metropolis of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysians still live in ignorance of the Good News of Jesus Christ. As you delve into this culture of works-based religion, strong self-discipline, and uncanny faith, you will have the unique opportunity to deliver hope and point the people to their Redeemer.
Thailand
The kingdom of Thailand, known as Siam until 1939, is the only country in the region not colonized by Europe. Their 2000 census showed that 94.6% of the population is Buddhist, 4.6% are Muslim, and 0.7% are Christian. Approximately 600,000 people live with HIV/AIDS in Thailand. With nearly two million people estimated to be forced into prostitution, it has become one of the most popular places for sex tourism. Change lives in the city-where you, like Jesus, might befriend prostitutes-or in the countryside-where you may serve youth, care for orphans, and encourage a remnant of believers.
Cambodia
Cambodia houses one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Angkor Wat, a Hindu temple and monastery built during the Khmer empire in the 12th century. It later became a Buddhist complex a century later, and today, just over 96% of Cambodia is Buddhist. Almost 30 years ago, 1.5 million Cambodians died at the hands of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge regime. Today, Cambodia is a source, transit point, and destination of human trafficking. Unfortunately, the government is struggling to stop it. The people of Cambodia are thirsty for the hope you can bring.
Vietnam
After nearly a century of French rule, in the mid-20th century, Vietnam was split into communist (north) and non-communist (south) halves. By 1975, Vietnam was made whole again, but as a communist country. Even with the economic reforms and restoration of diplomatic ties human rights are limited in Vietnam, especially freedom of religion; most of Vietnam is Buddhist, less than 10% is Catholic. Here you’ll be fed with pho, delicious beef noodle soup, and in turn feed believers and pray God’s light and presence everywhere you go.
I’ll utilize this blog to post updates and progress. Feel free to subscribe to my blog and share this blog post with your friends and family (see below). This trip will be the opportunity of a lifetime! Currently, I’m feeling both excited and terrified about the trip; I hope that’s a healthy mixture of emotions. Please pray for my team and I as we prepare for this trip in the months leading up to the launch. For information on how to support me financially, please visit here.
