“And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
I remember reading this verse in Esther, and it resonated loudly in my Spirit. I didn’t know what Holy Spirit meant at the time, but I knew He was speaking. I’ve lived most of my life feeling like I don’t belong or I don’t fit in. When peers would talk about marriage, houses, and husbands, I knew I desired the same, but there was a part of me that felt different. I wanted more. I knew God had grafted in me a desire for more. In so many aspects of my life, I believe God planted me in places where I looked, acted, believed differently because He wanted me to thrive in place where I don’t necessarily fit in. For a long time, I thought I was weird. I was the girl, who during sleepovers when people were watching movies, I was thinking about how single mothers in different parts of the world lived (true story).
I wondered, “God, why am I like this?” Why can’t I be “normal?” And what Holy Spirit has constantly revealed to me is that I am not normal. The minute I walked to the altar as an eleven year old, and received Christ, I laid my life down for His. Living for Jesus and living in the way the world considers normal is like oil and water—it doesn’t mix. So this is a short story of how God led me to The World Race.
Since I can remember, I’ve been drawn to international issues, whether that would be in my interests, what I read, conversations, etc. I decided to go to graduate school for a Masters in Public Administration concentrating in Nonprofit Management to discover where God was leading me. Before I graduated grad school, I wanted to apply for the Peace Corps. The Peace Corps is a great organization, but I personally never settled about applying for it. I thought it was what I wanted, but I just couldn’t pull the trigger.
One day, when I was on Facebook, I stumbled upon a post by my friend, whose sister was going on The World Race. I researched The World Race, and saw the money I would need to raise, and quickly dismissed it. I moved back home, God provided a job, and continue to pray and remain in peace that whatever He had prepared, He would show me. Fast forward to a few months later….
I was at home, and I saw a post by Lisa Bevere about the Syrian Refugee Crisis. My heart was broken, and I was just crying out to the Lord, “What do you want me to do? I don’t know what to do. I don’t know the first step.” I think I looked into Samaritan’s Purse, and thought about going with them. I just didn’t know what to do. I kept thinking, “My heart breaks for what’s going on around the World, and I feel like I don’t know what to do.” I finished praying and I went to work that day.
It was a busy Friday, and while working, these two men walked in, and I helped them with their order. I kept talking to them, and they started mentioning something about work. So, as I always try to talk to the customers, I asked them where they work.
“Adventures in Missions,” they said.
“Isn’t that with the World Race?” I said.
“Yes.” One of the guys said.
“Oh really, I thought about that, but I wasn’t sure,” I said. “What do you guys do there?”
“I’m Seth Barnes. I actually founded The World Race.”
It turns out the guy who came was Seth Barnes, the guy who founded Adventures in Missions and The World Race. He was there with one of the Adventures in Missions employees. So I expressed to them how I thought about the World Race, and we all just felt like it was a God moment.
I visited the Adventures in Missions office and spent three hours there. They talked me about the race, and answered most questions that I had. When I was there, Seth “happened” to have a phone meeting with Scott, the man in charge of the route I’m interested in. I was able to speak to the Scott, and gave him my email. I knew God was waiting for my yes. And I have said, “YES!”
If you don’t know, the World Race is an 11 month mission trip to 11 different countries. I’ve signed up for the January 2016 Fusion Route. This route is particularly different because unlike the other routes, the Fusion route brings racers from around the world, instead of just America. So, I would be doing work with racers from different countries. I would visit a country each month and do whatever is needed—teaching, working in orphanages, building, hosting services, or evangelism. As for now, the countries listed for this route are Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Latvia, Ukraine, Romania, Bosnia, Zambia, Botswana, and South Africa
So, I’m asking you to partner with me, whether in prayer and/or financial support. I must raise $16,362 for this ministry opportunity, which will cover all of my expenses on the field, including transportation, and room and board. While the number may seem daunting, I know that where God calls, He provides. I also desire to raise (about) $4,000 for everything else. This will cover gear, vaccinations, and flight to launch location. This also includes monthly spending money. AIM recommends bringing spending money to pay for things ranging from personal care items to rafting the Nile.
You can donate using checking by making checks payable to Adventures In Missions with your donation to Adventures In Missions, PO Box 742570, Atlanta, GA, 30374-2570. My appeal ID is “KANIARUVICKY”, and you can write that on the memo line of the check. If you would prefer to make your donation online, you may do so by clicking the “SUPPORT ME” link in the upper right side of this page and complete your donation as instructed!
If you would like to donate gear, here’s a link to my REI gift registry: http://www.rei.com/GiftRegistryDetails/GR120988806
Also, if you’re interested in receiving a fundraising letter, please email me at [email protected]. Thank you for partnering with me on this journey, and may God bless you in whichever way you choose to support me!
Love,
Vicky
