Before coming on the race, I knew that I would be doing a lot of what people call “community service” or “volunteer work.” It’s kind of hard to describe what we actually do on the race because each day it changes. No two days on the race look the same because every day is simply a new adventure.
Back home in the states, I was in a sorority in college called Pi Beta Phi. I joined my freshmen year with the intention of making some friends and finding a place away from home where I felt like I could settle and make an impact. I remember going through the recruitment process and being surprised to learn that sororities actually have philanthropies or charities that they partner with to raise awareness for and give back. To be honest, I was surprised to find this out because I didn’t expect a sorority to be a place that valued giving back to others.
So to my surprise, when I found this out, I was ecstatic. I loved helping others and making a difference; it was something I was passionate about because when I was 13 years old, I went on my first ever mission trip and realized how important it is to love and serve others. God even calls us love others by serving them! So 18 year old Julia was so excited to find a group of women who also valued something she loved doing.
If you’re not familiar with Greek life at all, each organization (fraternity and sorority) have an official organization or philanthropy they are partnered with and help sponsor. Pi Beta Phi’s philanthropy is illiteracy.
“You give books to poor kids?” someone once asked me. And I said, “no, it’s actually a lot more than that.”
Greek organizations actually come up with events or fun tournaments to raise money or awareness for the different philanthropies they are partnered with. The money raised goes a long way, and it’s not just a check you sign and send off. A lot of hard work goes into it. And you are putting others before yourself.
I will not lie, sometimes I thought to myself “what is the point of doing events like these if I never get to see the effect it has?” That was a thought that haunted me in college. I knew people mocked Greek life before, but I didn’t want what they said to be true. And that was something I wrestled a lot with God about.
I would pray and ask Him, “God, is what I am doing or what these people are doing making a difference at all?” And what he said actually changed my entire perspective. He told me, “Julia, anything that anyone does for the furthering and bettering of my Kingdom is making a difference. Even if you can’t see the results or the effects that doesn’t mean it doesn’t do anything. It’s affect is long-lasting and eternal, and it’s only possible because of me.”
I sat stunned. God uses anything. ANYTHING, for the good and benefit of His kingdom here on earth. Even if it is controversial or unrighteous, God is able to redeem it and make it GOOD. What?
Yeah. That’s right. Because God is always good.
So, when I came on the race I thought a lot about my time in my sorority and how I wish more people could see and experience what I am doing because I have the chance to SEE the effects those small events get to do. I get to see how a small part of your life once becomes something you SEE everyday.
My sorority’s philanthropy was illiteracy. I can’t tell you how many people I have met on the race who can’t read or write. But I can tell you that because of the time in college I spent learning about philanthropy and issues like illiteracy, I have had amazing opportunities to battle and beat illiteracy in hands on experiences.
I became a teacher for 3-7 year olds in Zambia. I saw women who were beaten and abused by spouses and men come to know Jesus and read their Bible which brought them healing and deliverance. I got to teach women in their 20s, 30s, and older to speak and write in English.
I get to see the hands and feet of Jesus in something I took for granted. Because God made it so MUCH MORE.
My sorority gave me values and things I treasure that I have taken with me out onto the mission field. I’m not gonna lie, I thought my sorority wasn’t gonna impact me this much, but I am so glad I was wrong.
I got to see seeds planted while in college only to see a harvest being reaped on the other side of the world. I got to grow closer to God because of relationships and experiences I had in college that I thought were meaningless. I got to see something I love be used and redeemed in SO many ways while on the World Race and in my walk with God.
Don’t get me wrong though. I know there are people out there whose hearts are not always in the right place. Where money and charities actually do more damage than good for people and countries. (I’d encourage you to read “When Helping Hurts” it’s a book about how Christians can hurt people more than helping them if their heart posture isn’t aligned with God.)
But I want to tell you that before you judge or criticize something that may seem like “a way of time” or “fake and in-genuine” that God can actually use it for His good and for the betterment of his kingdom.
Each person is different. Each story and experience is different. But this is mine. And I am so glad that God took something so personal to me and used it to help those around me.
God redeemed those for the good of His kingdom. Even the things that we may not understand, he uses them.
