I understand there are a lot of people who are skeptical of this organization called The World Race. I was super hesitant and skeptical too, but the more I evaluate myself and the organization, the more I realize I have reasons to why I am NOT going on the race. I find it really important I make a list of these reasons up front. So here it is, I am not going on the World Race:
1. To glorify myself and save others – It’s important to know that this 11-month missionary trip to 11 countries is not about myself. I am not doing this to find myself, to run away from anything or to make myself look cool because I’m going out to ”save people.” No way. I know offhand that I am not a savior, and I’m not going in this with a white savior complex. This 11-month commitment is for God and allowing Him to use me as a vessel by serving the founders/hosts of organizations that already exist in those nations who serve others. None of this trip is about me, or about changing anyone. I am serving alongside sustainable organizations and helping them help others. I will be helping the long-term goals and not doing a short-term project. I won’t be by myself either, so think of it as my team and I are the one brick that helps shape an entire bridge.
2. To go on vacation – I am not leaving for vacation. As fun as it would be to go to tourist attractions every day each month, it wouldn’t be productive nor helpful with making a difference. This 11-month commitment will be hard. It won’t always be fun. I will be away from my comfort zone, soaked deeply in cultures that are uncomfortable and places I’m not used to living in. During training camp, we practiced living in tents, taking bucket showers, eating with hands and wearing clothes that are conservative. I am aware that I will meet people whose stories are still transforming, whose stories may break me, whose lives may be undervalued, or whose living conditions are drastically unfair compared to what I’m used to. I will be sad, but I have to learn to be strong and give people hope that their situations do not have to be a forever situation while empowering them with the resources and tools they need to reach their full potential. I don’t have all the answers, but I can show them where they can sustainably be transformed. The goal is to not have fun, but to die to myself, put God first, put my community second and serve my host family/organization in the country I will be serving with.
3. To pity and look down on others or make up for my ”guilt” – No way, I am aware that I am one person who is in no way better or superior to anyone around this world. My life is no more important than the widow with 5 kids living in poverty or no more important than the girl who is repeatedly raped 5x a day due to human trafficking. All humans are important and it’s not fair that I happened to wake up privileged in America with both family and parents who love me. I am going to do everything in my power with the help of God to share the hope, love, and freedom of God not with pity but with compassion. I am going to do all I can to build relationships, and learn as much as possible from them. I am not going to just teach them, but share whatever they teach me with all of you as well.
4. To force a belief down others throat, to impose, judge and condescend – It’s important to note that we are not trying to take a western church culture and plant it in other countries. We are not trying to impose our limited American cultural traditions of Christianity into a uniquely beautiful country. The truth is God already exists everywhere, but our goal is to understand people, remove barriers, build bridges, get to the heart and ask what does God mean to this person? Our rules of thumb is to learn more about the country before we get there, observe, ask questions, honor and respect them, be humble and authentic, get to the heart, and serve in the best ways they want to be served, not in how we think they want to be served, and while getting the opportunity to talk about hope, love, reconciliation, and freedom through God.
These are reasons I am not going on the world race with an explanation of why I am going on this trip.
I’m not writing this to appear a certain way, but only to help clarify misconceptions. I am a flawed human who will make mistakes as I’m on this race, but I promise I will always try to do the right thing and will always put my faith in God in this process and not on my own understanding.
God gave us the tools, resources, and gifts a long time ago to take care of and love all people on this planet he created, but the free will of us humans have turned the world against each other based on our own selfish needs. I know many of my friends and family don’t believe in God, but I want you to know why I’m doing this. We shouldn’t be asking God “Where are you in all this poverty, why do evil things happen to good people?” When really He should be asking us that same question. Why do we allow evil to exist? As humans, we have a responsibility to make sure everyone lives a healthy, just, life feeling worthy and loved. So I’m going to do all I can in these next 11 months to do just as he asks, and I will share what I have learned with you all through this blog. Please share any tips, advice, or ask any questions you may have. If you’d like to support me through this journey, please consider donating toward this mission through my fundraiser at jasminejaurigue.theworldrace.org.
Thank you so much! 🙂
