Welcome!
First and foremost, thank you for supporting me this far! Just by clicking the link to view my blog, you are aiding me in my journey by showing interest in what I am up to. If you follow my updates on Facebook, you probably know that I have been working towards joining the World Race Gap Year program. I posted about my acceptance, but not many people are aware of what that actually means. On their website it reads, “World Race Gap Year takes college-aged students on a journey to 3 continents in 9 months to serve the least of these among real and raw community.” The World Race organization has provided a platform for short-term missionaries since 1989 and I am so excited to be able to say that I am now one of those missionaries! This September, I will embark on a 9 month long journey along with other young missionaries. God does not ask his followers to “Drop a couple of things and follow me through paved roads and air conditioned buildings.” God calls us as Christians into a life of discomfort for the sake of his name. Not everyone is able to trek through 5 countries and live out of a backpack, but everyone is called to serve. When I learned of World Race, I knew immediately that this is where God wants me to serve.
Currently, my route is going to take me through Romania, Ukraine, Chile, Peru and India! Each of those countries has a specific need and different way that need must be met. Romania is recovering from being the impoverished country it once was, while Ukraine has a large orphan and widow population. Chile struggles with a mixed religious system filled with extra biblical principles and corruption. Peru’s population deals with extreme poverty and class inequality. In India, the caste system divides the people and means a very poor and bleak life for much of the population. In researching the need of each individual country, my heart broke for these people groups and the struggles they face on a daily basis. So often, we forget that not everyone lives as we do. We forget and overlook just how blessed we are to live in the comfort and ease we live in. I have committed myself to go directly to these people and show them what God can do through service.
Over the coming weeks and months, I would love to develop a personal relationship with you so that you can join me in my prayer life and daily devotionals. With this trip comes the faith building opportunity of fundraising. I may be contacting you with what my need is, and whether you can give monetarily or just keep me in your prayers, I need all the support I can get. Thank you so much for hearing what I have to say, and I pray that God blesses you in this new year. If you would like to be updated on new posts, follow this blog by hitting the “Subscribe for Updates” button on the left. If you would like to donate online, follow the link in the sidebar on the left that says “Donate!”
Thank you!
-Chessie
