In August 2017, I left for the World Race, an 11-month Christian missions trip to 11 different countries across Europe, Northern Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia.
In Paris, France, my team and I worked with local humanitarian aid organizations to address the growing population of North African refugees in the city. Many were unaccompanied minors. We had the opportunity to help set up a new temporary camp in the southern part of Paris and were involved with the initial relocation and registration of hundreds of young men. In Morocco, we were tasked with locating new potential partnerships for future World Race teams in the Atlas Mountain Region, including an adventure company that uses sport to access more remote areas of the country and a couple working with some of the indigenous tribesmen.
In Northern Cyprus, we worked at the first ecotourism hotel on the island. In our time there, we staffed several events for the teaching and transmission of traditional Cypriote culture. We also had the opportunity to work in their attached garden and vineyard to support an ongoing wine and coffee-making business that funds ministry efforts in nearby Turkey. Next, I traveled to Lebanon, where we partnered with a local Christian organization that currently runs an elementary school, medical facilities, and offers trauma counseling services to the Syrian refugee population in Beirut, Tyre, and Tripoli. In Egypt, we built a soccer field in on of the poorer regions in the south. In Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, I spent most of my time teaching English. In Mongolia, we helped a local pastor begin renovations on their makeshift church building before traveling north for a two-week horse trek to reach a remote tribe of nomadic Reindeer herders.
Now more than ever, I’m aware that I couldn’t have done any of this without the support from countless individuals who gave me their time, helped me financially, and/or offered me encouragement over the last year.
Thank you.
While traveling, I couldn’t share as much as I would’ve liked on social media or here on my blog. I love to speak with anyone who is interested in knowing more about my last eleven months, and I’d love the chance to catch up with all of you!
Unfortunately, that’s going to have to wait a little longer.
The organizers of the World Race prioritize a high degree of integrity and respect towards both one another and outside cultures within the teams they launch. Part of the way they do this is by sending alumni racers back out with new squads for their first couple months on the field to help them acclimate to a lifestyle that is unique and frequently challenging, and to support them as they adjust to environments and situations that can be far outside their understanding of “normal.”
Here’s the exciting part: I was recently invited to travel down into South America with another World Race squad as an alumni Team Leader for the first two and a half months of their journey, from the beginning of August to mid-October. As of August 7th, I’m currently living in Santiago, Chile!
The past few weeks have been a bit of a whirlwind. I committed to going back out less than two weeks before I needed to be on a plane, but I’m excited for the opportunity to work with a new group of World racers and to spend some time volunteering in South America. Throughout August, we’ll be working with an organization in Santiago that provides housing for homeless young women who’ve been aged out of the orphanage system as they attend school and learn to support themselves.
I still need to fundraiser $2,500 to cover the cost of these last two and a half months on the field. If you’d like to support me:
1. Go to me blog at sheahendry.theworldrace.org (If you’re reading this, you’re already here!)
2. Click on “Donate!” on the left-hand side side of the screen and follow the steps.
3. OR you can also send checks, payable to Adventures in Missions, to P.O. Box 742570, Atlanta, GA, 30374-2570. Please be sure to put my name (HENDRYSHEA) in the memo line.
4. All donations are tax deductible. Awesome, right?
I’m excited for this new opportunity, and I plan to make the absolute most of these next two months, but I’m also excited to get back this winter and reconnect with all of you.
Thank you again, and God bless!
