Happy New Year!
2016 ended so quickly, and there is so much happening this year! 2017 has so much to offer to all of us, and I can’t wait to see what God does with these 365 days to come.
A few things that are going to happen in my life this year:
- High School Graduation
- Choosing a college
- My last year of track (sad about that one)
- International Baccalaureate Diploma Testing
- Training Camp
- WORLD RACE GAP YEAR LAUNCHING
During 2017, I will be ministering to people in Lesotho, Swaziland, and potentially India. The following year I will continue my race to Nepal and Nicaragua. It still doesn’t feel completely real that I won’t be at home for a great portion of this next year.
Now for some answers to Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What is your plan for life after the Race?
College!! I still really, really want to enter the medical field. I am currently choosing between Arcadia University (Pennsylvania) and Colorado State University. However, I am doing my best to keep my options open to the ways that God is going to use this trip to change my outlook on life and my life plan!
2. Which country are you most excited about?
Well, I’m super excited about Nepal for the adventure, but I’m most excited to minister to those in Lesotho because of their struggle with cultural and spiritual Christianity.
3. Are you nervous?
YES! I am so nervous. I’m nervous about travel, nervous about disease, nervous about packing, nervous about finances, but I’m mostly nervous about being away from my family for nine months. Yeah… that’s scary.
4. Aren’t you concerned about how dangerous these countries are?
Of course I am. I definitely understand that there is great risk associated with the Race, but I am more motivated by the hope and love of the Lord than I am scared by the danger of the world.
5. How much does the trip cost?
Quite a bit – $14,951
6. How are you earning money for this trip?
As most of you know, I’m pretty swamped by school and track, but I have done everything I can to earn money for this trip. I am currently working as a receptionist in a skin care clinic and I babysit for three different families… Needless to say, I am crazy busy trying to earn money for this mission.
7. What is your plan to fund this trip?
I absolutely NEED generous and loving supporters at home that are willing to donate to help fund this mission. I am working to reach out to those around me and to spread the word about this mission.
8. What is covered in the cost of the trip?
International Travel, local travel, training camp, food, lodging, daily expenses, and all travel expenses for nine months.
9. Why even go if it’s such a hassle to raise the money?
Simple- this is what God has called me to do with this next year. Where God guides He provides.
10. What will you really be doing?
A lot! We will be ministering 6 days a week with one day off. I’ll be doing everything from playing sports with the orphans, to preaching to the widows, to praying with the poor, to listening to the stories of the prostitutes, to teaching English, to helping with sustainable agriculture, to building churches. There is so much to be done and only nine months to do it!
11. What does your family think?
My family is getting anxious – thoughts of finances and danger are practically ever-present in our day-to day conversations – but they are all very supportive and excited for this journey with Christ.
12. Wouldn’t it be easier to do this later?
Yup. It would be easier, but the problem is that later will never come. I will never be so free of ties to home again- student loans, relationships, jobs, education, and age are all things that will be obstacles ‘later’. If I don’t go now, I will never go because life only becomes more complex from here. I can’t just walk away from a career for nine months, but I can take a gap year between high school and college. It isn’t traditional, but it is absolutely possible.
13. What is the structure of the Race?
There are 55 racers on the same route as me. We will be split into teams of 7-8 members that I will be with all the time. There will be one person on the route that is a World Race alumni. This person will stay with us for the first few months to teach us the ropes of the Race. There is one ‘team leader’ of each team that simply holds a bit more responsibility than the other members, but is still 100% an equal.
14. How long is the Race?
The Race will last for 9 months- September, 2017 to May, 2018
15. How do you pack for that?
I will be living out of a single backpack for a year! I actually just purchased my tent and set it up in the living room proclaiming “Look!! I bought my own home!” I’m actually dreading packing because it sounds hard! Other than the mandatory gear, I am going to try to pack lightly and purchase a lot of my clothing abroad just because of the less expensive products that are sold abroad… and I want some neat clothes from overseas !!!
16. What are you most excited about?
I am most excited to be able to be a ‘little bundle of sunshine’ to the orphans around the world. I just can’t wait to play and laugh with them!
17. How can I help?
Lots of ways! You can promote this blog on your social media, pray for me and this mission, and donate! To donate just go to the top of this screen and press the orange donate button.
2 Corinthians 5:7
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
Happy New Year!
Laura Hope
P.S. If you can think of more questions, make a comment on the bottom of this page and I’ll do my best to answer them!
#WRGY2k17
