I am officially a second semester senior. Despite every hour in the library, every cup of coffee, every anxious moment leading up to tests, despite the moments of pure frustration, confusion, and relief, despite the 8 am accounting classes and all nighters in dorm study rooms, I have enjoyed every bit of it. I can confidently say that I took advantage of everything college has to offer and now I find myself ending this beautiful journey on a path I never expected. I feel fully equipped to graduate, get a job in the business world and hustle as a young professional towards the marketing career I have spent the past four years preparing for. But somehow God has called me to give it all up. He has called me to sell my things, leave the city I call home and exchange it for a 2-pound tent and 70-liter backpack. I am still wondering how and why I am in this position. But I am listening to His voice and trusting that the World Race is where He wants me to be.
I have always been a creature of control. I love to plan and know exactly what my day, week, month, and even year is going to look like. I love routine and love the idea that I am in control of my destiny. I like to be in control of my grades, my relationships, my happiness, and my path. But the more I continue to plan, the more God tells me to give it up. There is something bigger out there that I have not yet discovered, and I won’t be discovering it through a routine in a new business job. I need to learn to rely on God not just for my next step in life, but for EVERYTHING in my life. I need to rely on a Father who does not abandon his children but a Father who wants us to look at the world through new eyes, eyes that see beauty and joy and excitement in all things, even the most ordinary circumstances. WE learn to depend on His spirit by breaking unhealthy habits, addictive comforts, and being vulnerable by abandoning our safe little world. This is why I have made the decision that starting in August I will rely on God for my meals, shelter, safety, and even my income.
But what income, you may ask? I won’t be earning any money on the World Race, but I do need to fully fund myself the year before I go. The $17,617 I must raise goes towards a few different things, which can be seen in the pie chart below.
Not only do I need to raise money towards the different program fees to support me for the year, but also for the vaccines to keep me safe in each country, the equipment I will survive off of, and the additional fees I am putting into my fundraising efforts. Relying on God to provide money can be a hard and awkward thing. How do I ask others to just simply give me money? But this is more than just writing a check, this is the belief in a mission greater than we can imagine. God does not require us to give, but He asks us to. Supporting me in this mission is a chance to expand God’s kingdom. God gives to us in so many beautiful ways and His promise is to return whatever we give in even more abundant ways. This is a mission that sends me out into His kingdom to be with the broken, to experience God’s glory in unimaginable ways. This is a mission that will bring hope and love to many. This is a mission that reflects every biblical story in which God’s disciples are sent to heal and be healed. This is a mission that would not be possible without you.
Relying on God to fundraise for an entire year is the first step of learning true dependence. With every donation I have received so far, I have also received an immense amount of love. No matter how big or small the donation, your support means that you believe in me as a disciple of God and that is truly the greatest honor I could ask for.
I hope you will consider joining me in furthering God’s kingdom by donating on my blog page, mailing in a check, or venmoing me @Regan-Smith.
With love and gratitude,
Regan
