What is the World Race?
The World Race is a journey to 11 countries in 11 months to serve the least of these among real and raw community. It’s a year of Matthew 10 in action: “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.” We will travel from country to country with one goal: to serve the least of these. We want to bring hope and light to all those we encounter, and we believe that teaching the gospel is the best way to provide that hope.
Where Are You Going?
My Route has recently been altered from what it originally was, and Route 1 and Route 4 have been merged together. We will be going to Columbia, Equador, Peru, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Montenegro, Romania, Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia.
What Will You Be Doing?
Through the 11 months, something cool about the trip is that we will constantly be learning new forms of ministry. We will launch and travel with a larger squad that is currently at 51 members, and then once in each country we will split into smaller teams of 7-8 people and go into different ministries within the country. We will travel to each country and meet with a permanent resident of that country who will assign us to different tasks. Sometimes, every day will look different. Although I don’t know what team I will be a part of or the specific “job descriptions” yet, I can give you an idea. Some days will be packed full of construction, VBS, building relationships with orphans, or praying for the sick at a hospital. In many countries we could be teaching english and Bible in schools, door to door evangelism and relationship building and much more. Some days could be slower – shopping for groceries at the market, cooking for our team, and spending time praying for the community we walk through. Regardless of the pace or the activity, every day will be focused on being a part of God’s kingdom work.
Why Did You Decide To Go?
For many years my passion for overseas ministry and missions has been a huge part of who I am. After spending under a month in Senegal, Africa spreading the Good News, I was determined to return to Africa and continue serving in whatever way I could. This last year I moved to Colorado and prayed for this move to be a step towards missions overseas, and God answered my prayer with a yes. The World Race seemed to fall into my lap as I heard about it on a few separate occasions. I began to do some research and I feel like God has pulled me to do this and to do it passionately, and with all of me. I am doing my best to obey that call. I’m grateful for His provision, and I am so excited to be on this journey.
Where Are You Staying?
Primarily we will all be sleeping in our individual tents at designated campgrounds or in yards of host families. In some countries when they are available we will sleep in hostels. Part of our packing list is a tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag and pillow.
Where Is My Money Going?
Some fun facts: You can donate through a mailed check or online here on my blog. You can give once, or select the monthly giving option when donating. All contributions are Tax-deductible. Below is a graphic that will accurately explain where your donations are going:
So 65% of the $16,617 goes to me on the field. The rest goes to help with things like training camp, where I will be spending 10 days preparing in October, administration fees, so helping to pay the people who help organize and prepare the trip and make sure we get there safely, and field support, so helping to pay to send support when we need it on the field.
A huge part of the money goes to travel. This includes the planes and buses we are traveling on. A much smaller portion goes to lodging since we will be staying in our tents most of the time. All food is payed for as well. I will have to pay for any additional food that I would like, I will be fed every day, so no worries there. The rest goes to paying for travel expenses in country, so for example, the buses and trains we will use to get to our ministry locations and daily lives.
Instructions for donating through mail: Please mail your tax-deductible contribution to:
Adventures in Missions, P.O. Box 742570, Atlanta, GA 30374-2570
Am I Paying For You To Go On Vacation?
Clarification: I am not going on vacation. The Race is one of the hardest years I will probably face in a long time. It is not hotels and resorts. I am staying primarily in a tent, living out of a backpack, giving up all comfort and setting out on a mission. It is pretty cool that I get to experience 11 different countries and 4 different continents during the duration of my trip, but it is far from a vacation.
What Christian Affiliation / denomination is Adventures In Missions?
The World Race is a program of the inter-denominational organization Adventures in Missions
How Big Is The Team You Are On?
My team is currently at about 51 racers. Once in our countries we will split up into smaller groups of 7-8 people and work together on different projects (as explained above)
What Is The History Behind The World Race? (Straight from the website)
Adventures In Missions is an established missions organization that has been around since 1989, sending people from different churches and backgrounds all over the world on life-changing mission trips. Adventures in Missions is an interdenominational missions organization that focuses on discipleship. We emphasize prayer and relationships in our work amongst the poor.
Since we were established in 1989, we have taken over 100,000 people into the mission field, some for as short as a week and others for as long as a year or longer. In several places around the world we minister year-round to “the least of these”. We believe that by giving people the opportunity to hold orphans, bring hope to the hopeless, and pray for the sick, lives are transformed.
We seek to disciple as Jesus did; our vision is that God would use us to raise up a generation of radically committed disciples of Jesus Christ.
What Are You Doing to Prepare?
In the next few months I will be preparing in quite a few ways – the first being fundraising. In order for me to go on this trip, I need to raise $16,617. I will be doing some small fundraisers and sending out lots of letters to try and connect with people willing to help by contributing financially to my trip.
I will also be gathering all the necessary gear I need for the trip, including a tent, backpack, sleeping bag and pad, along with a bunch of little objects required for 11 months of international travel.
I will be spending some time reading a few books that have been suggested to me, including: “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan, “Captivating” by John and Staci Eldridge, “The Art Of Listening Prayer” By Seth Barnes and “Kingdom Journeys: Rediscovering a Lost Spiritual Discipline” also by Seth Barnes.
I also will be reaching out to everyone that I possibly can for prayer. Prayer is our direct communication with God and I firmly believe that it is very powerful. I want to encourage everyone to be praying for me and the wonderful people that I interact with while on this journey. There is power in the name of Jesus, and it’s His power that will make a difference in the world.
I have also had the pleasure of participating in taking a class hosted by my church here in Fort Collins called “Perspectives”. Perspectives is a fifteen week course designed around four vantage points or “perspectives” — Biblical, Historical, Cultural and Strategic. Each one highlights different aspects of God’s global purpose. The Biblical and Historical sections reveal why our confidence is based on the historic fact of God’s relentless work from the dawn of history until this day. The Cultural and Strategic sections underscore that we are in the midst of a costly, but very “do-able” task, confirming the Biblical and Historical hope. It’s an awesome class and I’m learning a lot.
What is Training Camp?
Training camp is a 10 day mirror of what life will be like on the Race along with specific training for what we will be doing. Guest speakers will be brought along to help prepare us for this incredible spiritual journey and worship will be constant. I’m super excited for training camp as it will give me the opportunity to figure out what I will and won’t need physically for this trip, and I will get to meet my team! Training camp is in Atlanta this year, from October 19th through the 29th. I will be flying out of Atlanta after camp with 50 new family members, and lots of details about what specifically The World Race will look like for me and my team.
