Next fall, I am leaving for the World Race!!! This is a 9 month gap year program, where I will be serving in communities around the world, and spreading the love of Jesus! My first 3 three months I will be in Guatemala, followed by Thailand and Malaysia, then Swaziland!
I’ve known about this program for a few years now, but I never seriously considered going on it. I was going to graduate high school, and head straight to college. I couldn’t wait to have a fresh start, so to speak.
As I started applying for colleges this fall, I felt a sort of purposeless, that I’d never wanted to feel again. I started off 2017 sprinting away from God as fast as I could; this may come as a shock, but that was not working out too well for me. I was broken and humiliated and lost, and I really did not want to be in my church community. Through a few select people pouring love into me, and showing me what it really looks like to live freely and joyfully for Christ, my world turned back around. I remembered my purpose in Christ, as I was surrounded and picked up by my community. So, as I was thinking about college, it suddenly became very important for me to be in a Christian community. I realized I would be leaving an incredible community here in Santa Cruz, and did not want to be leaving my faith. With my faith first in mind, I began poking around on the World Race website (and then, without telling anyone, I decided to apply). Why not? It couldn’t hurt, right? This just looked like a crazy cool dream. And then I got in.
I am an impulsive person, and wanted to say yes right away. My parents, however, were not immediately on board. The whole first week after I was accepted, I kept feeling called to go. I very clearly remember being shocked, when at a bible study that week, the speaker said, “Whatever God has put on your heart, do it. Go.” That was a God thing. I had not told anyone except my parents about my acceptance, yet I could hear God guiding me loud and clear. I faced a lot of frustration towards my parents for not being as gung-ho as me. I waited a month, putting the decision on the back burner. Was I being hasty when I immediately wanted to go? Was I being stupid? Should I go to college right away? In my heart, I knew I was 1000x more excited about World Race. I longed for the Christian community, for being the hands and feet of Jesus; I longed to open my eyes to the rest of the world, and try to discover my place in it; I longed to stretch my comfort zone, and serve communities worldwide.
In the middle of November I was talking to a dear mentor of mine, explaining how I needed to make a decision, and did not know what to do. She began praying over me, that I would listen to where God was calling me, that I would remember her husband’s advice: “What will bring God the most glory?” In that moment, I knew. I knew I needed to do this and stop ignoring God’s call!!!
I turned to my favorite verse, Romans 12 (I will probably reference this a lot), before I told my parents I was confirming to go on World Race. Verse nine to thirteen of that chapter called “Love in Action”; “9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
Now, this is what I get to do. I get to live out my faith, and make the words turn to actions. I am unbelievably excited I get to “cling to what is good” everyday, with a group of devoted young adults, as we serve the Lord with hope, patience, faith, and prayer.
I will be sharing more in the days, weeks, and months to come. In the meantime, I would love to be in contact with any of you who have questions or who want to support me in this next step!!!
Feel free to email me at [email protected] !!!
