For the past month, I have been asked many questions about my trip. Where are you going? How long will you be gone? Who are you going with? When will you be back? Are you ready, nervous, or scared? In order to make things easier for myself and everyone else, I will try my best to answer these questions and more in the following FAQs (frequently asked questions).
How many people are on the team?
Right now there are 37, including myself.
You can see the whole team here: https://www.worldrace.org/?tab=participants&group=16W08EX
Do you know anyone on your trip?
Nope, not yet! But I know they are from all over the US and even a few from outside the US.
Do you get to come home at all?
Nope, once the trip starts, I’ll be gone for the entire 11 months.
Are there any physical requirements?
Yes, at training camp, we will be required to hike three miles in fifty minutes while carrying all of our gear. The guys going on the trip will take part in a “Man Hike.” This hike is 18 miles in 2 days. This is in addition to the normal fitness requirement. The man hike is focused on discipleship and bonding in the wilderness.
The Expedition Route, which is what I am on, training camp will include hiking 30 miles in 3 days, with modified pack weight. I’m guessing this is instead of the 18 miles in 2 days but I’m not 100% sure.
How will you get from country to country?
Sometimes we will fly, sometimes drive, others maybe by boat or even just simply walk across the border.
Where will you live/sleep?
We will have different sleeping arrangements in every country we visit. I doubt we will be at any 5 Star hotels or anything, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed. We are taking tents so I’m guessing we will be using them at some point.
What are you going to be doing?
Every day will look a little different. Some days will be packed full with construction, VBS, building relationships with orphans, or praying for the sick at a hospital. Some days could be slower — shopping for groceries at the market, cooking for the team, and spending time praying for the community we will be living in. Regardless of the pace or the activity, every day will be focused on being a part of God’s kingdom work.
Will you have any sort of training?
Yes, training camp is June 8th to the 18th in Georgia, which is where I will meet the team for the first time.
When do you leave?
I leave out of Georgia on August 5th. (106 Days… AHHHHH!!)
When will you come back?
We haven’t been given a date that we be home as of yet, but I’m guessing it will be towards the end of June or the first of July….. in 2017!!!
Will you have a cell phone?
Yes! I am taking my cell phone and will have a plan that will have unlimited text messaging, but not much else. So everyone should HMU (hit me up… or text me for the old folk).
Where are you going?
We will be going to every country in South America. This means, if you say a country that is located in South America, we will be going there, yes even Chile. If you aren’t sure which countries are in South America — here you go: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela and French Guyana. For those of you keeping count, that is 13 countries! (Fun fact – I am technically going to France because it is one of their territories, and it just so happens to be part of the European Union…weird).
What will you miss the most?
The things that I have always missed on short term trips are ice, flushing toilet paper, and time to myself. I’m sure that I will miss these things while I am gone, but after 11 months I am going to miss everyone and everything that I have got to know and love over the past 22 years.
Are you going with a Christian organization?
Yes, The World Race is sponsored by an organization called Adventures in Missions and they send 100s of students and young adults on missionary trips every year.
What do your parents think?
Instead of trying to make something up on my own, I decided to just have them answer this in their own words.
Mom- It is with great pride that I send Nicholas off to South America with World Race, but it is also sad for me that I won’t be able to see him for eleven months. It is wonderful to know he is following his heart for Jesus and getting to share God’s love with so many others. I remember when he was nine and we were able to spend five weeks in the Philippines. He saw children living on the sides of the streets, under bridges, and in makeshift homes. It showed him how blessed we are here in the United States and how little others have. I believe it was this trip that started his growing heart for missions. I know he will truly grow even more on this trip and come home next year a changed individual.
Dad – When Nick asked what I thought about him participating in an 11-month missions trip, I throttled my urge to respond instantaneously. I felt he was looking for more than just my opinion; he sought an answer to assist in discerning God’s direction. I recognized I was too emotionally involved to be certain I’d be clearly hearing God’s telling me what to say. After a moment, I shared with Nick the principle I try to follow when faced with a decision where my personal desires are so strong I might easily miss God’s direction. I was honored when Nick followed the principle I shared with him. He was rewarded with a confirmation that left no doubt as to the Lord’s will for him regarding this trip. So, how do I personally feel about Nick adventure? The question is irrelevant to me since I rest in the surety Nick is following His direction.
Have you found a home yet for Dexter?
I have had a bunch of offers, but I haven’t made a decision yet. It’s going to be so hard to see him go.
How much does it cost?
The cost of the trip is $16,500, $861 for insurance, and $200 for Project Searchlight. The funds cover all team costs once the trip begins which includes food, lodging, and travel. It also covers administrative, setup, coaching, debriefing, and training costs prior to and at the start of the trip. I will also have to take personal spending money, money to travel within the US for training and getting to the start of the trip and back home, and for vaccinations and all of the travel supplies I have to buy for the next 11 months.
What happens if you don’t raise all the money?
I have until November 30th to raise all of the funds (yes that is 4 months into the trip). If I don’t have all the funds by then, I get sent home.
Have you thought about what are you going to do when you get back?
Honestly, not really. Every time I try to it is just all a blur. I guess because there is so much that is going to be different with me and my surroundings when I get back.
I won’t have my job, cat or apartment. All my friends will have lived almost a year without me. I’m sure my personality will change and mature and I will have some different likes and interests that won’t be the same as they are now. With so much changing it is way too hard for me so speculate what it will be like coming home, but I’m not scared because I know God has good plans for me (Jeremiah 29:11)
Are you going to miss your family?
Not at first, but I do have a heart and I do love my crazy annoying family sometimes. So yes, I will sometimes miss them.
How long will you be in each country?
I am guessing roughly 4 weeks in each country, but we have not been given a schedule yet.
How often are you going to post on your blog?
WiFi permitting, my goal is to post every 2-3 weeks.
What’s the weather going to be like?
At times it will be hot, cold, rain, snow, sleet, foggy, rainy, musky, muggy, sunny, windy, and at times even a little stormy. Seeing how there are 11 months and 13 countries there is a good chance for all types of weather.
How will you carry clothes for all those different types of weather?
Luckily I won’t have too. When we change from country to country we will usually have the opportunity to go shopping. Since we will mostly be in developing countries, we will be able to go shopping pretty cheap.
What are you going to do about a haircut?
They have hair salons in other countries, or or pony tails are always cool too…
Are you scared or nervous about going, fearful about getting mugged, bugs, or diseases?
Ehh… not really.
What kind of food will you be eating?
All of it.
Do you know Spanish?
Hablo un poco de Español. Yeah…I need to learn a lot more though before I go, but immersion is the best way to learn!
Why are you going?
I am going because I was called by God to go.
On February 12th, I went down to Dallas, TX for a conference with my college group. When I got there, the band Shane & Shane was playing and we worshiped God. During the first 45ish minutes I heard God specifically tell me to go on The World Race. —Side note, the first time I ever heard about The World Race was 4 years ago when I was Googling some mission trips I could go on and the second time was last year while I was in Peru.— That whole day, I treasured the word God had given me in my heart and I earnestly sought God on what my first steps should be, and he graciously gave me the knowledge that I needed (James 1:5).
That night I called my dad and told him what I heard from God, and we set a time to meet when I got home. We met for lunch the following Monday and he shared with me that I should find someone that doesn’t know any about the situation (which was pretty easy since currently only myself and my dad knew) and tell them basically no information and have them get a word from God.
That next day I found my good friend, whom I knew hears the voice of God, James, and I did just that. I told him, “I have been given a ministry opportunity and I need to know if I’m suppose to persue it.”
After a few days he came back to me with this word:
1. Yes
2. It’s not with my local church
3. I will duplicate something I experienced in Peru
4. It’s a missions trip, but not a normal missions trip.
This gave me amazing confirmation and everything fell into place for me to be on this trip very quickly.
I hope this has answered most of your questions about my trip. But if you have more please don’t be afraid to ask. I love people.
God’s chosen witness to the people of South America,
Nick
