Welcome to my first blog!
Many of you are probably wondering, “What in the world is Amanda doing?”, “She’s leaving for 11 months?”, “How will she survive?”, “Why is she going?”, “What will she even be doing?”, etc.
Well, I’m here today to answer some of those questions to the best of my ability and invite you to join me as I walk the path God has laid for me. I apologize in advance for this being a little lengthy. I’m just SUPER excited and can talk about this ALL DAY!
So sit back. Take a drink of that coffee you’re holding. Maybe go get yourself a snack. And enjoy 🙂
In 2010, at the age of 15, I entrusted my life to the One who made this universe. I was living in a world of anger, anxiety, and fear which left me feeling lonely, confused, and even more frustrated. I was confronted with the fact that life is too much to deal with on my own. I needed someone to fix something and who better to turn to than Jesus! Now, I don’t want to leave the impression that my life has all been roses and sunshine since that emotional night because it’s been far from it, but I’ve found a lifelong friend who’s walking with me and guiding me through the inevitable mountaintops and valleys this life brings.
In the past 6 years, I have had the privilege of going to Nicaragua, Haiti, New Orleans, Tennessee, Colorado, and Malawi with amazing groups of people. Each of these trips showed me a glimpse of God’s character and introduced me to what a life on mission looks like. I cherish memories from each of these trips, which fostered this longing for something more. We never know what God’s doing in our life until it just feels right, at least that’s how it’s been in my life. After countless prayers and journaling, I knew God was calling me to something beyond these borders. The World Race is an 11 month, 11 country, fully-immersed mission trip with the sole purpose of obeying God’s command laid out in Matthew 28.
So for those still scratching their heads and wondering why now, here it is. God has called me to a life on mission wherever I’m at and I believe this opportunity is one way God wants to use me. I’m in a place in my life where I count singleness as a blessing and a nearby college graduation as great timing. Before jumping into a full-time career or furthering my education (which are both great things, don’t get me wrong), I desire to not only grow closer to my Lord and Savior and share the Good News to ears that are deafened or rebuke His name, but find out more about who God made me along the way. I see this as an opportunity to see more of God’s beautiful creation and make Him known to all nations!
I will be teamed up with like-minded, God-loving individuals whom I have yet the pleasure to meet. We will be traveling to Haiti, Dominican Republic, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, India, Nepal, Romania, Albania, Macedonia, and Serbia (route subject to change) heading out in August 2018. From the countless hours of blog-creeping from previous and current World Racers to having conversations with Adventures in Mission staff, I can guarantee you that each day will look different. Some may be centered around community building, while others may be focused on evangelism, service, worship, feeding the hungry, healing the sick, taking trips to the store, and whatever else may cross our path (an animal perhaps? Or flat tire? We’ll see!). Knowing I’ve never had an experience like this before, I cannot tell you exactly what I’ll be doing. But, I can tell you that the Lord will be using us to spread the Gospel and be His hands and feet and I cannot tell you how elated that makes me!!!
So there it is folks! A little glimpse of my life and what God’s been doing. You made it. Take a deep breath!
Now, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I would be more than happy to meet up and/or chat with you about this exciting change in my life!
Much love and warm hugs in these currently freezing temperatures!
-A
And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” ~Isaiah 6:8
