On March 15, 2013, when I was 13 years old, my whole life changed. At a revival at my church, the Lord showed up in a whole new way and I asked Him into my life. After that night nothing has been the same. About four years ago, when was 14, I felt God’s call to be a missionary. Being very young at the time, I tried to get involved with as much mission work as I could. I traveled to New York and had the opportunity to talk to hundreds of people on the streets and share the good news of Christ with them and what He has done in my life. I traveled to Maryland, only a week after the riot outbreak had happened. In Maryland, I worked with homeless people; clothing, feeding, and loving them. We partnered with a local church, and I got to spend time playing basketball, kickball and other games with the kids living in the slums and just love them to the best of my abilities. I’ve been a part of many other in-state mission opportunities in the past four years as well. It has blessed my heart to see lives changed by God’s love and grace. With each trip, I’ve found God continuing to show me how broken the world is and how much people need to experience him.
Graduating this year, I had to ask myself many questions such as, What do you want to with my life? What is God leading me to do? In answer to my countless prayers, I heard about Adventures in Missions through a couple of my friends talking about the World Race. I couldn’t sleep after hearing about it; I had to do something. I started researching the World Race and quickly realized this is what God is leading me to do in this chapter of life. I am racing for those who are unable. Those who can’t speak, those who can’t walk, those who can’t fight, and the ones who haven’t felt the transformative power of the Father’s love for them. This is why I race.
The World Race Gap Year is a 9 month Christian mission trip to 5 countries around the world. One of the unique things about the World Race is that it’s not only a mission trip but also an intensive discipleship program designed to launch my generation into our specific kingdom calling. Through the World Race, my team and I will serve in partnership with churches and ministries in local communities to preach the Gospel, plant churches, feed the poor, work in orphanages, minister to women and children trapped in prostitution as a result of human trafficking, and bring the restorative hope of the Father’s love to many tribes and nations.
There will be many challenges throughout the World Race but one of the greatest challenges is my financial support. I know God will provide a way. World Race participants are required to fundraise financial support. In order to leave fully funded on September 17, this year, I need to raise $14,951. This money will cover all of my field expenses for the 9 months of the trip. As I take this huge step of faith, would you please prayerfully consider donating whatever amount God lays on your heart. If you are not able to give money, please keep me in your prayers.
Thank you for taking your time to read this blog. I’ve never blogged a day in my life but this is the first of many.
