Adventures WorldRace SethBarnes Sponsorship Giving

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Almost everyone I tell about the World Race asks me the same question, "Why do you want to do this? Why you?" It's a great question, and my first response is, "Why not?!" I'm 28 years old, I'm not married, no children, and my only major expense right now is my student loans, which I will be able to defer. I feel like it I don't make a try for it now and give it my all, I will regret it for the rest of my life, besides, I can't think of a better way to spend a year than traveling the world showing and sharing God's love!

The "why" is a very good question, and I could probably write a book as to all the reasons I want to do this, but I'll try to make it short. I've been reading in my small group a book called, Undaunted: Daring to do What God Calls You to do by Christine Caine, and it perfectly correlates into what I'm preparing to do. In the book, Christine talks about why God chooses us to do the things we do. I'm going to paraphrase a section of the chapter:

"God not only chooses us for himself-he also chooses us to do his good works on earth. The amazing thing is that, throughout Scripture and history, it seems that God has chosen the most unlikely and unqualified people to fulfill his plan and purpose on the earth. Most often, the response of those people has been to insist on their own unworthiness…..if we allow other people to tell us what we are and are not qualified to do, we will limit what God wants to do with us. We may never get to hose who need our help. What is impossible with people is possible with God. We just have to believe that God has called us to go into the world in his name, and not listen to the crippling or even paralyzing labels and limitations imposed on us by others. We cannot allow them to daunt us. Whom God calls, he qualifies –and he chooses everybody to do something specific, something that is part of his design. "
 

AMEN RIGHT!?!?!

After reading this, I knew it was exactly what I needed to hear. All it needed was a flashing neon sign to make it more obvious! While thinking about applying for the world race and all throughout the application process, I was praying all the time for God's will to be done, but I found myself saying, "Why me, I'm not qualified for this. I've never even been on a missions trip before, I haven't read the entire Bible through yet!" Everytime I said this to myself, I would then start to hear God say, "Laura, I know you haven't ever been on a missions trip and I know you've never read My Word all the way through, but that doesn't mean you're not qualified to go. I'm ready to use you if you're willing to let me. I've got big plans for you, and I have a purpose for you on this trip. I will equip you with what you need." Who was I to say that God didn't know what he was doing, who was I to put God in a box?

For as long as I can remember, I have been mesmorized by Africa. Everything about Africa interests me, from the animals to the people, the beautiful scenery, the incredible colors that the natives wear and the colors found in the sunset, yet, for different reasons I have never been able to go until now. I've had a few health problems that kept me from going with the Peace Corps, and my health problems kept me out of the military. I have known beyond a shadow of a doubt that I would one day go to Africa, and other wonderful countries, but I didn't know how or when. After a couple of necessary surgeries, I have been the healthiest ever and I felt like God was telling me "now" was my time.

I'm going on this trip because I have been called by God to do so, and I want to obey. I am no more special than other child of God. I have done nothing to deserve this amazing opportunity, but I know God will prepare for this trip and equip me with the tools I need. He called, so I am answering.

God Bless,
Laura Joy