Two years ago, I officially ended a relationship with someone whom I thought I was going to marry. We “ended” things years prior, but we went back and forth constantly until eventually it became toxic. It was mainly because I didn’t know how to let go of something that meant so much to me. I tried to control and hold onto something that wasn’t meant to be. It was one of the most difficult heart breaks I have ever gone through. I didn’t know how to be on my own. I put a lot of my identity into that person. Therefore, when I tried to live without that person, I easily fell apart. I honestly fell into a mild depression. It wasn’t something I was open with on social media. I was confused. I was lost. I was angry with God. I was angry with myself. It lasted for what felt like a long long time. When it was finally over, and it was still hard, I realized I was stagnant in my zone of comfort. I was stagnant in my will to grow my relationship with God. I was stagnant in my career.
I loved being a part of the beauty and change Chicago was striving for within the injustice Chicago endured for so long. I worked and served in nonprofits for 5 years after college, and I learned so much. But I couldn’t ignore that stirring in my heart anymore: what about the other children and people facing brokenness and injustice around the world?
I was unhappy with life, and my relationship with God was so far away.
I eventually went into a different relationship hoping things would be different. But that wasn’t meant to be either. The second relationship ended exactly a year ago. I knew I needed to take initiative and make a change.
So today, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, is the one year anniversary of the day I applied for the World Race. Wow, how ironic he quotes “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere“ and I chose that day to apply for the race and help others toward justice. (I just put that together as typed this). I didn’t know how the hell I was going to raise $18,700, and I didn’t know if I was “good enough” to be able to serve God and the injustices around the world this way either. However, here I am. I’m currently on the other side of the world, Vietnam, the 4th country of the race, serving people who are living through injustice, with $14,313 raised and learning more about God, people and my identity.
I am constantly living off the edge of my comfort: new places, new faces, new cultural norms, new mosquito bites all over me, new rules to prevent myself from sickness and parasites, new rules to keep safe, living out of a backpack, taking cold showers, hand washing clothes, and living in constant uncomfortable situations in constant community 24/7, but it’s okay. It’s all worth it.
I am learning God is love and I had wrongly put God in a box my whole life. I learned God is WAY bigger than I thought he was. I’m learning there are so many assets to love, and I love learning how to love. I learned to forgive God, myself and people from my past. I learned God doesn’t need me to do anything, but he wants me.
I learned to serve not just for him, but with him. I learned my worth is not in the identity of a guy. I am learning how to surrender everyday to God. I’m learning I had to take ownership of what I went through compared to what is true. In return, I have been healed from my past. I am learning life gets better when I actually practice faith for real. I don’t know what my career will be yet when I get back, but I trust everything will be okay. Most importantly, I am learning God is crying, caring and loving among the brokenness of the world. I am seeing Him everywhere I go. I saw His miracles come through for so many people. He has not forgotten about the refugees, prisoners, orphans, impoverished, disabled, forgotten, abandoned, rejected or anyone. His Love is fighting for everyone.
If you are going through any kind of heartbreak close enough to what I’ve been through, there is real hope that exists. It’s not just a cliché.
So I still need to raise $4,387 by end of January, in 10 days, where the entire total is due. I don’t know how it’s going to happen, but I’m not giving up. I have hope I won’t be sent home. I will finish this race. I’m surrendering all of this God. I definitely felt led by Him to type this. So if you know anyone who would like to partner with me, please spread the word. If you have any tips or advice, please share. If you personally would like to be a part of this change, please consider donating toward this cause and donate at: jasminejaurigue.theworldrace.org. Password is PSquad2019
I also accept Venmo – @jasmine-jaurigue
Or Chase Quickpay: [email protected]
I will be fully funded if:
40 people gave $100
Or if 200 people gave $20
Or if 80 people gave $50
Or if every box was adopted through my adopt a box campaign! See next picture.
Thank you to all those who have already given. You are a working miracle alone because you believe in a cause so big, and you’ve shown me and others what faith can do. I believe seeing the ending of being fully funded is just a miracle that we will all get to witness. It will happen, and thanks to your contribution.
Thank you so so soo much.
