Frequently Asked Questions – World Race Style
Wow. First let me say, I have been blown away by the support that you all have given me in preparing for my world race. Seriously, I cannot thank you all enough for the financial blessings and mostly for all the prayers sent my way. I am so close to my first monetary deadline, and God deserves all the glory!
Second, in preparing for the race and in raising support, I have been asked many of the same questions. In order to provide some clarity, I decided to answer some of the most frequently asked questions for you all. If you think of more questions in reading these, please do not hesitate to ask!
Wait. Why are you asking for support to do the Amazing Race?
- If you thought I was going on the Amazing Race, you are not alone! Many people have asked me the same question; however, The Amazing Race is a reality TV show. While I have always wanted to be on TV, the Amazing Race is not the reason I am raising funds or asking for support.
- I am however participating in the World Race. The World Race (which is way cooler) is an eleven month mission trip to eleven different countries.
When?!?!
- I graduate from Auburn in May (War Eagle!), I leave for training camp in June, and then I leave for my first country in August!
- My squad and I will return in June of 2017.
Ohhh okay, so where all are you going?
- All of the World Race routes are subject to change, however if all goes as planned here is my route:
Lesotho, Swaziland, South Africa, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Haiti, Dominican Republic
Who are you going with?
- I’ll be traveling with a group (my squad) of 55-65 people. Once we reach each country we will split up into teams of around 6-8 people. Our teams will then head to different parts of the country to partner with local ministries.
And what exactly will you be doing?
- Ministry will vary depending on the month/country, or possibly even by the day. I could be working with orphans, widows, in the red light district, fighting human trafficking, prison ministry, street evangelism, feeding the homeless, building schools, VBS, and more.
Did you say “backpacking”?
- That’s right, for 11 months I’ll be living out of a backpack, sleeping on the floor, and calling a tent home. It’s okay if you think I’m crazy, I sometimes wonder about it myself.
Are you scared to leave America? The world is dangerous ya know.
- For me, the “worsening of the world” only strengthens my desire to go. People are dying each day without knowing Christ, and that is enough to make me want to leave right now.
- In addition, Adventures in Missions (AIM) has been sending people out on the World Race since 2007. Thousands of racers have gone out and returned home safely. AIM and the World Race staff keep tabs on the countries we are headed to and will change our route if a particular country puts our safety in jeopardy. And if you’re really worried about my safety — Pray for me!
What’s the point in leaving America? We need missionaries here.
- This question is probably the most common question that I have been asked, and it is totally valid. To answer it, I want to direct you to scripture from 1 Corinthians 12:12 and 1 Corinthians 12:17-20
There is one body, but it has many parts. But all its many parts make up one body. It is the same with Christ.
If the whole body were an eye, how could it hear? If the whole body were an ear, how could it smell? God has placed each part in the body just as he wanted it to be. If all the parts were the same, how could there be a body? As it is, there are many parts. But there is only one body.
- In reading theses verses, we can see that there are several parts of the body, and each part is necessary for different areas of functioning.
- As the body of Christ, I believe we are all missionaries in one way or another. As believers, each of us have a common goal of making God known. Individually, we accomplish this goal in various ways based on who God made us. Maybe you are making God known in your workplace as an engineer, maybe you are making God known by leading a women’s small group, or maybe you are making God known in leading by example with your children. Whether you are a salesman, a teacher, a preacher, a stay at home parent, or an engineer, each individual role in the Body of Christ is vital in the body’s functioning.
- I believe that my role as a missionary is to take God to the nations. I have known this for a long time, and I am so thankful that I am able to walk in the calling that God has placed on me. For this reason (and many more), I am so excited to be going on the World Race.
I hope that this blog post helps answer some questions you may have had. As always, any support, especially in prayer, is very welcomed. For more, you can subscribe to my blog above. I love you guys and I am so thankful for all the love and support sent my way thus far.
(also S/O to Mollydoble.theworldrace.org for some of this insight included in this blog)
