How this all began…
In January I attended the Passion conference in Atlanta. Passion is a conference for college students that encourages them to pursue the dream God has for their lives rather than chasing an unfulfilled American dream. This where I first heard about The World Race. The lady that told me about the Race shared her experiences with me and prayed with me. I remember looking through the September [2] Route, when I got back to school and thinking “the places and people it would venture to would be nearly unbelievably incredible.” I’d felt burdened for Nepal when I was in India. I heard a lot about Cambodia in stories I read for my Senior Thesis, working to prevent sex trafficking. And in high school I wanted to jump into fighting genocide in stories I heard from Darfur, Rwanda & Uganda. It sounded incredible, really, but I had another semester left of college and didn’t really know what opportunities would rise thereafter, so I decided to hold out.
Key parts and puzzle pieces to my story– At Passion one afternoon, I was surrounded by people, all walking at a very slow pace towards our boxed lunches. I heard a few people talking about Black Mountain behind me. Being the outgoing people person I am and considering I was with no one from my group, I turned around to say hello, and mention that I lived in Mars Hill, not too far from there. Thats when I met Dusty. He explained how he was from Franklin. We talked for a little bit, and found out that we had a mutual friend named Hannah. He had worked with her and I was in a bible study with her back at school. We said goodbye, and randomly saw each other again in the midst of another 21,000 people. End of story from Passion, well sort of. 🙂
In April, my best friend Monica’s mother bought us tickets to see Needtobreathe for Monica’s birthday in Franklin. (I love Needtobreathe!) So a group of us girls went to see them. At the end of the show, we were all out front talking to Samestate, a new band, and I look over and see Dusty! I said, “I think I know you!” and we laughed. He asked me how I was, and I asked him what he was up to. He proceeded to tell me how he was going on The World Race. And that I should check out his blog. After a few days I read his blog. And then read EVERYONE else’s that I could. Stories of choosing hope over fear in stepping out on faith and going. Stories from the field of heartbreaking adventures. My heart cried out, knowing that reaching out and living in raw community and sharing the gospel is something I’m super passionate about, too.
I laid out my options. I said to myself, “I’m not in a serious relationship, I don’t feel like I’m supposed to go to Grad School yet considering my brain needs a break, and I don’t see myself working in an office for now when the door to adventure, and a world of brokenness is at my fingertips. What’s holding me back?” At Passion I realized this urgency in the gospel. There’s no time to waste. And in the last several years after losing friends and family that have been near and dear to my heart, I’ve realized even more how I don’t have time to squander. Each moment and breath has to be lived out.
I then stayed up late for several nights reading through blogs. I would lay in bed awake at night with the lights off thinking, “this is crazy!” I mean seriously, think about it… Going to 11 countries in 11 months? Away from everything comfortable. Living out of a backpack. Raw camping. No holidays or birthdays or time with family and close friends. Lets be REAL. Being out of your comfort zone doesn’t always sound appealing.
But to me, it did. Even giving up modern amenities. Giving up the things I’m used to, to seek out the heart of God. To go on an adventure, where often there wouldn’t be words to explain situations. To truly go and serve. To raise the dead. To heal the sick. To cast out demons. Because I’ve received, and its my turn to give. (Matthew 10:8)
I read Dusty’s blog, early May. Many nights I couldn’t sleep. After some time, I sent him a message sharing how encouraging his blog had been. 2 Days later, I had applied.
From that point on, its just been a beautiful, crazy journey. People have been supportive in recognizing this call to the Nations. Others wonder how in the world I’m supposed to pack for 11 months in one backpack– I remind them that people survive in other countries too, I can purchase clothes there, if need be. I’ve realized this dream is a much bigger dream than I could ever dream for myself, but its a story I’m part of, simply because I’m willing to go. And give. And serve. And love, beyond myself.
Dusty & I got to see one another at Training Camp in Tennessee.

He is also leaving in September on Route 1. Keep him & his team in your prayers.
Read more of his inspiring blog & financially support him @ dustydills.theworldrace.org