Well people, I am FULLY FUNDED! Holy cow! That went so fast! God is so good and I am so thankful for all of your support and love.
This blog is not about just me though… it is about my whole team! I decided to interview each of them with just a few generic questions so that you can get to know them a little better and love them as much as I do!
So… introducing Team Daughters of Dignity!
Key:
AP: Asheigh Paul
AB: Abigale Bass
DM: Destiney McVicker
DP: Danielle Parks
RN: Rachel Nehring (Team Leader)
MB: Maggie Barth
MA: Mady Allen (ME)
Q: Why the World Race?
AP: When I read about the World Race Gap Year it was like God said “Go”. I get to walk with God and find out who I am through him. I will be the hands and feet of God, being a difference maker for him. To be able to travel is just a bonus, the real prize is being able to change lives for his kingdom. I just turned 18, I barely know what I want for lunch much less what I want to do with the rest of my life. However, I trust God wholeheartedly and know that this is His plan for my life.
AB:Honestly, at first it was strictly because God told me too. I wanted to go on 11n11 when I graduated college because I love traveling, I love missions, and Julia Robertson’s vlogs made it look so worthwhile. Then God said Gap Year and it took me a while to get on the same page, but once I was there I was ready. I don’t think you can truly say “Why?” until you have said yes, been to training camp, and have devoted a year to raising financial support. “Why did you stay at training camp?” now that is a question I can answer. Because there is something about being completely exhausted for the sake of the gospel that opens so many doors. Doors that lead to closer communion with God and doors that allow the kingdom to grow through new salvations. That’s why.
DM: I knew college wasn’t what I wanted and started looking for something else. I chose the World Race because I wanted to do something different and challenge my comfort zone and grow closer to God.
DP: “You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail” (Proverbs 19:21). Last December, I graduated with a Bachelors in Science in Economics and Bachelor of Arts in International Science. I dreamed of working for the United States government. When I was asked to be interviewed, I was delighted that my plans were falling into place. But my plans were not God’s plans. God showed me through circumstances, scripture, and prayer that I would become a missionary for an extended amount of time.
In all honesty, I was hesitant at first. I had never before imagined doing missions work. I didn’t know which organization to choose or where to go. The only thing I knew for sure was the verses God had been speaking through to me. I tried to ignore God’s pleas for a couple of days; however, the next Sunday, my church did not have a regular sermon. Instead, a missionary from Uganda, Isaac Wooten, shared his story. To my astonishment, Isaac read every single verse God had shown to me. I could no longer turn a blind eye. I knew without a doubt that God’s plan for me was missionary work. Jesus, who knew no sin, left heaven to come to Earth and become sin so that I may be clothed in righteousness. If He could be crucified for me, then I can obey His call for me to do missionary work.
Overtime, God has led me to the World Race Gap Year Program and eventually gifted me with this wonderful team of girls in Daughters of Dignity.
RN: I’m on the world race simply because this is what has called me to do. I’m not sure why he specifically called me to the world race, but I know this is right where he wants me to be. God is good and he has lead me here. I just want to serve God and run after him with my whole heart, and so I am obeying him and following his leading going on the world race.
MB: That is such a good question and I am not sure I can really answer it. The reason I am going on the WR is because God was relentlessly pursuing my heart and life. I was in college and was not living my life for the Lord whatsoever and despite my lifestyle, God pursued me and loved me perfectly through all of my depth of sin. Eventually, I heard about the WR because I saw it online while trying to find a good internship and God told me this was it and that I needed to do it. I listened to his call and it has proved to be the path that God has laid out for me over and over again.
MA: I have always had a heart for missions, and I hate school. I also had no clue what I wanted to do in college and I knew I wanted to do a gap year. SO we looked up gap year programs online and found the World Race! I applied as soon as the routes were out. I felt like this was really where God wanted me and I am so excited to see how He works in my life and the lives of this amazing team and the rest of our squad!!
Q: What are you most excited for?
AP:Is it cheesy to say everything? I’m excited to see God work through all of us, to love on all the kids, deep spiritual conversations, praising his name, the food, getting to know my team, learning about the culture, the long airplane rides to the unknown, but most of all my walk with christ; being able to lean on him for everything and trust him in any situation given to us.
AB: I’m most excited for the moments when I see God’s face in a way that is new and exhilarating. I have had that experience a few times, one being at camp. I think that it’s only going to increase while on the race.
DM: I am very excited to see people truly changed by God and to see growth and change in my life also. I love plane rides.
DP: I cannot wait to see those God has been placing on my heart for the past year and a half. God has placed such a deep love in my heart for those that I am about to serve. I’m excited to finally meet them face to face. I know that they will forever change me. If this entire trip was for one individual, it will be worth it. Every one of God’s children mean the world to him and he has placed this same love in my heart. There is a reason why God has placed me on this race at this time. It is to meet specific people and to help them grow into the disciples God has planned for them. I am honored and humbled to be a part of it.
RN: I am so excited to learn more about Jesus and further grow in my relationship with God through this time. I am also so excited for the shaping and changing in my life and all of the growth I will be able to be a part of in those around me. These 9 months won’t be easy but I am so excited to see how God is going to work in and through my team and I. His love goes beyond all understanding, but I want to see more and more of Jesus and his love.
MB: I am excited for all the growth that is going to take place in my life. There is a song by Will Regan and the lyric is “I give it all to you God trusting that you’ll make something beautiful out of me” and that has become my prayer for this trip. But I am also really excited for all the adventures we are going to get to go on while over there!
MA: I am so excited to see God change people’s lives through us! Like wow! God can really use me to do HIS work??? I am also so pumped to see the countries we are going to be in and see God’s glory proclaimed in the beauty of the Earth.
Q:What are you most nervous for?
AP: I would like to say ‘nothing’ but I was taught lying is a sin. I’m nervous about language barriers, the food, not being heard, being homesick, bathrooms, living with all girls, those days where everything’s going wrong and doubting whether or not I should even be there. This isn’t a vacation, it’s going to be hard but God never said it was going to be easy. Although these are some things i’m most nervous about, I’m actually excited to go through all of it. Because God will always be there to help us.
AB: Living with all girls!! I am one of two children, the other being a boy who is 5 years older than me. I enjoy hanging with the guys. Girls are hard! I have definitely chosen to serve these girls the very best that I can and I have already been shown by some of them that they have chosen to serve me as well. That’s comforting, but it doesn’t mean it won’t be hard.
DM:I am nervous for everything but mostly all the change that is going to happen in my life and in my family’s life when I’m gone.
DP: I am nervous for the security of the trip. The world is a dangerous place. Missionaries have a target on their back in many countries. I have spent the past few years studying the world’s crulest moments. I can’t help but think about the worst case scenarios. Nonetheless, I take comfort in knowing that God always provides and protect his children. I am confident that God will give us the discernment to make wise decisions, peace to handle conflicts, and security through the darkest places. It is simple to worry about the safety of an all young girls group overseas. But, God will use these concerns to show his sovereignty. Everyday that we are safe will be another sign of his greatness.
RN: I’m gunna get real deep here, I am nervous about not being enough. Not being strong, compassionate, loving, patience, not being enough of those qualities. Being a team leader I wanna lead to the best of my ability and I want to be encouraging and loving all those things. And I am nervous that I won’t be enough to be able to lead. But the truth is that it’s not about me and it’s not by my strength, right!? God is in control and I know he will help me lead and use my brokenness and weakness because his strength is bigger than me. AMEN!!!!
MB: I think I am also most nervous about the growth process. Growth is painful. It is not an easy process but I know it will be worth it in the end.
MA: Leaving everything behind. I have so much here and I don’t wanna leave it! It was actually a huge thing for me at training camp and then the wonderful Rachel spoke sweet, comforting words to my broken heart and I felt a peace about it. I am a,so FREAKED OUT about getting sick 😛
Q:What are you going to miss the most?
AP: Family. (that includes my cats) It’s the small things I’m going to miss, coming home and watching TV with the fam, praying in the hallway as a family before we go to bed, big family dinners for birthdays, going over to grandmas house because we’re always over there, being able to cuddle with my mom after a hard day. Cruising with my dad down central with the music blasting. There’s so much more but I’m in tears already thinking about every small thing.
AB: My family and my church. My family has had a rough year and it’s hard to leave them when I know they are hurting. My church is so much to me. They are family and friends and fun. It’s going to be hard not having that community that I’ve already built there.
DM: I will definitely miss my family and friends most.
DP: I am pathetic. I am going to miss air conditioning the most. I have been born and raised in Florida. I know what hot feels like and it scares me. We are going to some pretty hot locations for the next nine months. I don’t mind leaving my friends and family because I have already left them for years when I went to school. I am excited to embrace the different cultures overseas. But the thought of not sleeping with a fan causes me to really rely on God.
RN:PANCHEROS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh lordy, I don’t know what I’m gunna do without pancheros. (Those who don’t know pancheros it’s a mexican burrito place) On a serious note I am definitely gunna miss my friends and family, and my mom. People mean the world to me, so it’s gunna be hard to leave everyone.
MB: My family. It is really going to be hard to be away from them because we are all really close. But it is also going to be really hard to be away from my college and my sorority.
MA: My family and friends. They mean the world to me and I don’t know how I am going to function without them. (Also my bed is nice)
Q: Where are you most excited to go?
AP: Every single place. The more the merrier right?
AB: Honestly, I’m not more excited for one of our countries than the others. If I am being honest, I’m more excited to visit Greece.
DM: Albania, I don’t know very much about Albania but I’m excited to get to know the culture and the people.
DP: SOUTH AFRICA!!!!!! I have heard many good things about South Africa. I have also studied its history in school. To put it lightly, it is an extremely interesting country. Did you know that South Africa has three capitals for their judicial, executive, and legislative branches? Nobel laureate Nelson Mandela was the President of South Africa and has six different names. All of the Big Five animals, leopard, elephant, lion, rhino, and buffalo, can be seen in South Africa. Last but not least, it has the highest bungy jump in the world (216 meters).
RN: The Philippines! I have always wanted to go to the Philippines, I have no idea why but I think it’s just a passion God has put in my heart and I’m so excited to be there!! Ah!!! yay!
MB: Probably Albania or South Africa. Albania because we will get to visit Greece but we will get to see all sorts of wild animals in South Africa and I am a huge animal person!
MA: Probably South Africa! I have always had a huge heart for Africa so I am pumped to finally get to say I lived there for 3 months! (And also listen to “Africa” by Toto while it is raining… it is going to be glorious) But I am excited for everywhere!!
Q: What has been the biggest challenge so far?
AP:Change. Everything is slowly changing and that’s been really hard. Also trying not to cry when talking about it.
AB: Support. Emotional, physical, and financial.
DM: Honestly leaving my family is probably the biggest challenge. I am very close with my family and it will be hard but they are very excited for me.
DP: The internal spiritual battle. Whenever you are truly walking the path God has outlined for you, the Devil does everything and anything he can to try to knock you off of that path. It is extremely spiritually draining but I am thankful that God has been helping me ignore the lies.
RN: Trusting God in every aspect of this trip. I have had troubles being able to trust God to provide financially, emotionally, and to provide the right team of people. But God has come through in every way!
MB: emotional. Haha it has been a total emotional roller coaster
MA: Emotions. I am a very emotional person and it is hard to fundraise and leave people and things and everything about the World Race is hard.
Q: What do you hope to bring to this team?
AP: Love. Positivity. Strength: mentally, physically and biblically. Fun.
AB: I hope to bring a lot of things. Maybe just an attitude of “let’s do it!” I’m typically a spur of the moment, go with the flow type person. So when things get sprung on us or we have opportunities to make spur of the moment adventure choices I want my team to know that I’m down for the ride.
DM: Easy going, loyal, and positive!
DP: I hope to bring spontaneity, world knowledge, biblical truths, discernment, encouragement, and love to this team. I don’t want to be the team that sits back and waits for someone to give us direction. I hope to bring spontaneous ministry and adventures to our team. I never want a dull moment. I also hope to bring the world knowledge that I have gained in school to our group. I know God will use this strength to get us out of many messy situations. I hope to bring biblical truths and discernment to this group. We will not be able to survive a day let alone nine months without God’s biblical foundation. I promise to test everything we face before accepting it. God teaches us to test the spirits. I hope for our thoughts, actions, and speech to reflect Christ and him alone. Last but absolutely not least, I hope to bring love and encouragement to my team. We will need to lean on one another. I hope to help each of these girls become the best versions of themselves. I hope to be an open and nonjudgmental ear for them to come to at anytime.
RN: I hope to bring many many many things to this team, but in all sense I hope to bring an atmosphere of Jesus. I hope that in every fear, every joy, every discouragement, every trouble that I will be able to run to Jesus and encourage my teammates to rely on Him through everything we go through. Also I pray that God will help me bring a heart of humility to this team. That I won’t be self-righteous but come to serve my teammates and love them with everything I have. <3
MB: Hopefully I can bring a lot of things but I hope to bring wisdom and a sense of humor and love. I really am striving to bring positivity to this team and to love each girl in the way they need!
MA: I love to worship so hopefully worship! Also, just a “little” bit of crazy 😉 But trust, peace, and comfort!
Q:On a scale of 1-10… how excited are you??????
AP: A good 12!
AB: uhm 10… duh
DM: 10!!!
DP: It hasn’t really hit me yet. In all honesty, it probably won’t hit me until we are on the plane and hearing people speak Albanian around us. I’m anxious for getting all of my last minute arrangements in order. I want to say 10 but I won’t be able to be a 10 until life’s distractions are done.
RN:I’m so ready and excited!!! I’m as ready to go as spongebob is ready every morning to work at the krusty krab! LESS DO ITTTTT!
MB: 10!!! 🙂
MA: I can’t even. So like an 11?
I hope you all enjoyed that little taste of my sweet team (pun intended) and I can’t wait to share more of our adventures with you!
Also I leave in 14 days so that’s nerve wracking…
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
