Everyone is wondering about the same things about my upcoming trip, so I’ve shared the answers to the most frequently asked questions below!
Which church is this trip through?
The World Race program is not with a church, but instead, a non-denominational organization called “Adventures in Missions (AIM),” based out of Gainesville, GA. AIM “exists to mobilize a generation of radical Christ followers, discipling and training them to establish the Kingdom of God.”
If you want to read more about AIM’s beliefs, visit: https://www.worldrace.org/?tab=about&subtab=believe
AIM also has other trips: passport (short term trips), gap year (for students still in college), and expedition.
Who am I going with?
I have not met any of my squadmates (yet!).
The trip accepts individuals aged 21-35. People all over the U.S. and sometimes outside of the U.S. come together to participate in the program. The bolded terms below give a better explanation of the lingo that the world race uses.
Racers: Individuals going on the world race.
Squad: A large group of racers going to the same countries, at the same time
Team: A smaller group (~7 people) that serve at multiple ministry sites within the same country.
Launch: A multiple day event marking the departure of the squad for the first country on the route.
My squad has around 30 people. Closer to launch, we will be put into smaller teams. A team is a smaller group of around 5-10 people who will do ministry together. From my squad there could be anywhere from 3-5 teams. Each team could be in a different location around the country. For example, when my squad is in Ukraine, one team could be in Kiev, another in Lviv, and another in Odessa. Or we could all be in the same location doing different ministries in the same area.
How are you preparing for the trip?
The majority of my prep work has been spent fundraising & in prayer.
- In previous blogs I’ve spoken about abandonment & how hard it is to leave my family, friends, boyfriend & especially my grandma. As the launch date gets closer reality hits my harder so I’ve been pressing hard into prayer for the Lord’s guidance & provision in leaving my main people & trusting Him to work miracles in fundraising.
- I’m also fundraising my hiney off! The goal is $18,000. So far I’ve raised 35% of what I need. If you feel led to give you can click the orange “Donate!” button above. I have until July 20 to get $10,000, or else I won’t be able to leave in August.
- Training camp, our field training experience, is June 4-14 !!!!!!! That’s only 5 days people!! This is where I’ll officially meet my squad, and they’ll split us into teams. For training camp, I’ll take my backpack, my sleeping pad, sleeping bag, tent, and we’ll camp out for those 10 days on AIM’s land. There will be daily/nightly worship, workshops & seminars, speakers, team building activities, and simulated field situations to navigate. We’ll have “meals” from “other countries” and practice living in a different culture than our own. We have a fitness test hike with our packs on (2.2 miles in 38 minutes), and daily workouts. Training camp is a time to get to know who we’ll be spending 11 months with, growing in our walk with Christ, worshiping, fellowshipping, and physically and mentally prepare for the race!
When do you leave?
Dependent upon funding, I will be leaving in August. My squad and I (and some of our parents) will meet in a hotel in Atlanta at the beginning of August. We will have a mini-conference briefing us & the parents about what we are embarking on, and then we’ll be flying out shortly afterwards.
Where are you going?
I am going to Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. In that order.
We don’t know where exactly we will be in each country yet. We will find that out closer to time. And those countries can change too, it is quite common for the route to change. A change is dependent upon logistics, safety, and ministry demands.
What are you actually going to be doing?
Well, that’s a really good question. Every month will be different. All ministry opportunities will be done in partnership with churches and ministries in local communities. Ministry types range from preaching, church planting, working in orphanages, minister to women and children trapped in prostitution as a result of human trafficking, teaching English, helping with building projects, restorations & painting. There are numerous types of ministries that WR partners with, but through each opportunity the goal is to walk alongside the local ministry partner and help them bring the restorative hope of the Father’s love.
The World Race is an intensive discipleship program that will deepen my faith as I learn to truly rely on Him for everything and prepare me to passionately live out a lifestyle I’ve been called to live for a very long time.
How many people are going with you?
My squad has around 30 people. Closer to launch, we will be put into smaller teams. A team is a smaller group of around 5-10 people who will do ministry together. From my squad there could be anywhere from 3-5 teams. Each team could be in a different location around the country. For example, when my squad is in Ukraine, one team could be in Kiev, another in Lviv, and another in Odessa. Or we could all be in the same location doing different ministries in the same area.
Why am I going?
JC called me to the world race a long, long time ago. Like years ago. I just finished graduate school, and I have chosen to go on the world race because I trust and believe this is what God is calling me to.
I also want a time to focus on my relationship with the Lord, and nothing else. Obviously, this is how we should all be living our day to day lives, but lets be honest… that’s not the reality that we, ESPECIALLY Americans, are living. I’m coming out of a VERY busy season in my life and as I am beginning another stage I am really passionate about breaking myself down, getting to the roots of my identity and building myself back up again. Everything that I do in my lifetime, my job, my relationships, my hobbies, my future children… I want all of that to be a reflection of Christ’s love for us & I want all of my actions and desires to glorify Him and Him only. By going on the race, I’m setting aside time for Him to do that work therefore launching me into that direction for the rest of my life.
I don’t feel qualified to do ministry at all. But I’ve grown to find comfort in that the Lord is working in my heart through that lie I have told myself.
Which country are you most excited for?
the South American countries – without a doubt! I desperately want to speak Spanish fluently. During my time in Guatemala, I got so close to being fully conversational and by now it feels like I’ve lost a lot of it. I also love Hispanic cultures, the music, the slower, relational lifestyle, markets, and the FOOD, the landscapes, the list never ends!
If you have any more questions, please don’t hesitate to ask! I’m so pumped for this opportunity and I’d love to talk with anyone about it!
