On January 23, I wrote this journal entry…
The World Race…
11 countries, in 11 months. No family, no friends, no TV, no bed to call mine, no Trenton (oh, my heart), no mama, no Kayla, no Allie, no McDonald’s down the street, no paycheck, no car, no nothing.
For ELEVEN months. No ME. Nothing will be about me.
For months I have battled with my flesh in the never ending quest to figure out WHY God has me in the season He has me in. My best friend is married and considering a move and a baby. Bill is finishing up medical school and tossing around ideas of big moves for residency. Chase and Brittany are trying for a baby. Lauren and Jacob are in love with Carrigan and life. I’m working. And living alone. And waiting until I can apply to nurse practitioner school.
Why am I single? Why is God taking so long to send me the man that I so desire right now? Why am I at the most amazing job in the world, but yet still feel so unhappy? My boss is amazing, my hospital is incredible, and I adore my patients. But I just feel stuck.
I am beginning to pray about The World Race. I would leave in September and travel to 11 countries in 11 months to share the gospel of Christ and love on His people. I will complete my one year commitment to St. Dominic’s Hospital in July and finish my bachelor’s program in August. From there, I would just be working and gaining experience before I could further my education anymore. Ok, check.
But what about bills? My car is paid off as of April of last year. I live alone and have no roommates who depend on my share of bills. My student loans will have to begin to be paid on in February 2016. I would have 6 months of payments I would have to save up for. Ok, that seems attainable if I am diligent in saving.
But, God, what about money? The World Race requires about 18 THOUSAND DOLLARS to fund. Where would that money come from? I am simply trying to get things paid off right now and wouldn’t be able to save that kind of money if I tried with all my might. Sure, I could try to get sponsors and do fundraisers but that much money? Lord, HOW?!?
These are the thoughts running through my mind as I consider just what GETTING to the race would be like. I am scared, and worried, and quite literally sick to my stomach right now. I do not see this as something that could be possible. But I simply cannot get it out of my brain or off my heart.
These are the years that I have for me. I have no husband and no kids and no real responsibilities other than be a good employee and student. I am supposed to be “living it up” while I have the time. But I don’t want to spend my time on me. I want to love and serve and do something that is bigger than me, WAY bigger than me. I want to do what God wants me to do. I want to be where God wants me to be. I want to take this time for HIM. This is time I cannot get back. I will never again be able to serve in the way that I can serve now. Is the World Race really what He has planned for me? I’m not sure…but I think I’ll be finding out soon enough. I do not have to know how things will work out. All He has ever asked is that I be willing. That I say “Lord, here am I, send me.” So, Lord…here am I. If it is your will, send me…
On January 25, I completed the extensive application and submitted it.
On February 11, I had a telephone interview with a representative from The World Race. It was very straight forward and for some reason I just didn’t feel like it went well. I was nervous and feeling a little discouraged. But I just prayed and told God that if this was His will, then allow me to be accepted. And if it wasn’t, that’s ok, too. Just completing the application process really forced me to dig deep into who I am and what I want and believe. I knew that I grew just from that, and maybe that’s all God wanted.
On February 12, I got the call that I had been accepted. Things. Got. Real. I started to freak out a little bit but I can’t explain the excitement. Y’all…God wants to use ME. Lauren Faye Bond, from south Mississippi. He wants ME to go around the world to share His gospel. ME. I am so unbelievably humbled. I feel so unworthy. I can’t believe that I get to do this!!
I will be going to:
Costa Rica
Nicaragua
Honduras
Philippines
Vietnam
Cambodia
Laos
Thailand
Malawi
Zambia
Zimbabwe
The process isn’t going to be easy though…and that’s why I need you.
What I need right now is simply encouragement and support. Of course, what I need more than anything is prayer. Pray for the people who will be receiving the Word, pray for the children I will be loving on, pray for the sick and hungry and poor I will be serving and feeding and clothing. Pray for safe travels and the inevitable homesickness that will come. And please, pray and ask God if He is leading you to support me financially.
This trip is very expensive, with a total of about 17-18,000 dollars. This includes medical insurance, lodging, travel, and food. I know that is an absurd number, but I am trusting that if God is truly calling, He will provide. I will be leaving in September and while I don’t have to have all of the money before I leave, I do have to have it all before the end of December.
My challenge is that people will join me in giving $11 a month for 11 months in representation of the fact that I am going to 11 countries in 11 months. Of course, you can give more or less, or lump it all together in one payment, which is extremely helpful and avoids having it pulled out monthly. I do have financial goals that have to be met and anticipated monthly deductions do not count in that total. Also, you can give in any amount, big or small! Whatever God is asking of you is more than enough and every little bit counts! All you have to do is click the “support me” link at the top of my blog! I will have more fundraising options coming soon, but for now, this is the best way you can help me out!
Please be praying and let me know how you would like to be involved! Please also know that during this time my family and I do not need criticism but yet lots and lots of encouragement. This isn’t going to be easy and there are some doubts and distrust that come our way. But that’s why we have you!! Please keep us in your daily prayers! I love each and every one of you so much and I am so excited that I get to finally share this with y’all! Please feel free to ask questions! I’m attaching a link to a short little video that helps explain more what I’ll be doing!
“And I hear the voice of the Lord saying ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for me?’ Then I said ‘Here I am! Send me!'” Isaiah 6:8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiYUDhkLpTw
WATCH THAT VIDEO!!! IT WILL HELP YOU BETTER UNDERSTAND WHAT I’LL BE DOING!
