Being called to the World Race has been a long process for me, even though I have only known about it for a short time. My family was very involved in church growing up, attending every time the doors were open. I have a family history of mission work, as my grandparents worked for the American Missionary Fellowship, and my dad, one brother and one sister all work for Ron Hutchcraft Ministries. I have always felt called to the mission field but have not always known in what capacity that would be.
Several years ago, an orthopedic surgeon that I work with asked me to come to Guatemala on a medical mission trip. I did, and loved the work and the people. Later that year I went to Haiti to help in the relief from the earthquake that had devastated the country. That year I decided to return to school to pursue a career as a physician with hopes of becoming a medical missionary.
Having completed every step that I thought I needed to take to get into medical school, I was down and a little confused when I did not even receive an interview on my first attempt. I believe now that this was God directing me towards this opportunity. My plans for the future have not changed, and I do feel that I will become a physician and that God will use me to serve others throughout my life.
During the year I will have between graduation and medical school, I decided to see what mission work I could do so that my life would still be in service to others. I was given the chance to go to Africa for two week this summer with a medical mission team, which I am doing in July, and my parents then suggested that I look into the World Race. I did so, and after talking to friends and former racers, I knew that this is what God has been preparing me for. I am excited for the opportunity to travel with a Christian mission team and to serve those who need God’s love the most. I hope that I am able to be used in ways that I do not expect and that my life will be changed just as much as those I am going to serve. I look forward to learning what God has planned for this year!
