Dear Family and Friends,
I would just like to begin by saying that we serve an AMAZING God! If you don’t know me, my name is Maeci McCullough, and I am a senior in high school, who has been in joyful anticipation of opening the next chapter of my life. However, recently God has totally wrecked my plans (in the best way, of course) in order to put into motion His plans for His glory, which is all that matters anyway. That being said, let me tell you a little bit about my story.
So, I’m sure you’ve been wondering… ‘What is World Race Gap Year?’ World Race Gap Year takes college-aged students on a journey to 3 continents (4 different countries) in 9 months to serve the least of these among real and raw community. It’s Matthew 10 in action: “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.” Aside from age and total length of time, Gap Year differs from traditional World Race Routes in one key area: investment. Gap Year participants invest deeper into their local communities while creating lasting relationships. World Race was founded by a non-profit organization called Adventures in Missions. Adventures in Missions’ short and long term mission trips are designed to help you live out your faith, hear the voice of God more clearly, and change people’s lives.
If you know me, you know my heart for missions. For years I have felt that calling from God upon my life, but wasn’t sure exactly what that was supposed to look like. So, just like anyone, I prayed and watched. People normally say that in the opposite order, but I like to pray and then watch for where God moves and opens doors. At the beginning of this school year, I was much like you may be and had no idea really what World Race was. I found out about the World Race from a friend and Super Summer (a Christian leadership camp I attend each summer). Just out of curiosity I decided to look into it. Unbeknownst to me, God would use that to spark a whole new path for my life. World Race began to appear everywhere right in front of me. After some prayer and gentle prompting from the Lord, I decided to apply. I could tell you so many things that God did between there and my being accepted, but unfortunately that would kill too many trees (feel free to call me though or email me, I would love to share my story with you in more detail because it is blatant proof of God’s hand moving over all of this and placing me exactly where He wants me).
The route I will be going on is known as ‘Route 2’. It goes from Thailand, to Malaysia, to Costa Rica and, lastly, to Ecuador. Of course, it requires quite an expense to share the gospel to the nations, and it takes support both financially and through prayer from the Church coming together. My fundraising goal for the trip itself (which includes all my expenses while on the field) is $15,800. While that is quite a large and daunting sum, I know my God is great enough… He doesn’t just call the equipped, He equips the called. And every little bit is a tremendous blessing. Also while this will be my own experience, this is really to expand the kingdom of God – to serve and love as Christ did among the nations. Either by praying with me and/or giving financially, you will be a crucial part of the journey of the Gospel being proclaimed to a lost and dying world and have a hand in the AMAZING things that God is doing all over the world.
I would like to thank you in advance from the bottom of my heart for your prayers and financial support. I hope that from this experience I may be a blessing to you, as well as to the people I will have the honor of serving directly around the world.
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17)
Love in Christ,
Maeci McCullough
