Alright, so I want to talk about how I was called to the World Race. And honestly, it’s a kinda long story. But I’ll just start with how I heard about it and how God slowly brought me to the place where I don’t think I could do anyting but go on the World Race.
So I first heard about the World Race after I took a college summer trip with Adventurns in Missions three years ago. At first, the Race wasn’t something I really wanted to or even thought I could do. It seemed cool, don’t get me wrong, but after spending two months very involved in ministry in Guatemala, I didn’t feel ready or prepared to commit to something as big as the World Race. Guatemala was such an incredible and fulfilling time, but it was draining too.
Then I lead a college trip to Nicaragua the next summer, and my co-leader, Curt, couldn’t stop talking about the World Race. He described it as a life changing experience for him and something he grew a ton from. As he talked, my interest sparked. Maybe the World Race really was something I wanted to do.
some of the kids at an orphanage we worked at in Nicaragua
By the end of my two months in Nicaragua, I was ready to quit college and sign up.
God, however, had other plans.
Not only did the timing not really feel right, but I knew I would be unfaithful to my family if I stopped going to school. They were helping to put me through college and it was something I felt I needed to finish first.
(And, on a side note, those next three semesters of college were the most blessed time. Not only did I get really close to some girls I had been going to Bible Study with, but I found a church in my college town to call home, I went on a short term mission trip to Honduras, I had amazing professors, and I lived with some amazing roommates– all things I didn’t have before.)
But anyways, i graduated college last December and felt like it was finally time to start looking into the World Race again.
I was hoping to go right after I graduated, either on a July or September route, but things didn’t exaclty happen as fast as I wanted.
First of all, it had been on my heart to at least pay for some of this trip, and last January I had about $2 to my name (I’m not exaggerating). And as much as I was trying to save up money, my two jobs combined hardly paid enough for food and rent, let alone a $15,000 trip.
And secondly, I just didn’t have the time or energy to apply to the World Race or begin the process of preparing or fundraising.
So in the whirlwind of being a college graduate, I started thinking about what my future might hold and began doubting that I’d be able to go on the World Race. Besides, I could just get a full time teaching job and call it good. But just as I was beginning to think the World Race wasn’t a possibility anymore, God decided to bless me with a different job. One that paid enough for me to begin saving money, and yet wasn’t full time so I would be able to leave it when the time came.
As soon as I got this new job, I started saving all the money I could and began praying about the World Race again.
And God led me to the January Route 4 World Race.
A route that will take me to three Spanish Speaking countries (Peru, Bolivia, and Chile) and also give me the opportunity to minister in Asia and Africa as well (places I’ve never even been near!).
Now, I don’t have all my funds for the World Race and I can’t get them on my own. But if I look at it from the right perspective, I see God giving me the opportunity to find people who will partner with my ministry. People who will help fund me and pray for my team as well.
Although this isn’t something that is exactly comfortable for me, I know it is something God is asking me to do.
(And it’s a good thing God’s ways our higher than mine and His path better than mine (Isaiah 55:9), because he’s already shown me one reason I didn’t go on an earlier trip– two of my very good friends are getting married this fall, and I get to be a part of both of their weddings. Something I would have missed if I left in July or September. Yes, God is that good And caring. And clearly knows what He is doing more than I do).
So… This is what has lead up to me going on the Race.
Check back for the second part where I’ll talk more about how God called me to Missions in general and why I feel like I need to do the World Race.
