Often times when I talk about the Race I get the question, “So, why are you doing the race?” Normally, I give the simple and easy answer: “Well, because God told me to.” Recently, my mentor for the trip, Madison, asked that all of our squad write a post before training camp on why we are doing this race. She said that it’s mostly for us to look back on while we are gone to remind ourselves of why we are doing what we are doing when the Race gets tough. After Madie asked us to write it, I have been asking myself how I can put into words why. I also just went on a road trip with my family and we listened to so much music. One of the songs that came on was, “For The Sake Of The Call,” by Steven Curtis Chapman. It’s from one of his older albums (my family is a huge fan of this guy and he is pretty much a majority of my childhood) and he states in his song, “We will abandon it all for the sake of the call. No other reason at all but for the sake of the call.” That was my answer. Guys, it really is that simple. I’m leaving the comfort of my home in America for nine months for the sake of the call.
I have had a certain call on my life, It has been there for as long as I can remember. I am in love with Africa!! I have never been there, I have only heard stories and have seen pictures, but the Lord placed on my heart this longing to love on the children of Africa. I know that He has called me to go, I do not know why, but I know that this one call is the call I cannot deny even if I wanted to. I want the children of Africa to know the love that is hard to understand and comprehend, the love that I know, the love that comes from Jesus.
I have tried finding missions trips to Africa for two years pretty consistently, all of them did not work out. I found it very discouraging and frustrating, knowing that God had placed such a strong calling on my life and want to go to this place, and all of the doors continued to close. Then, the World Race showed up. My friends strongly encouraged me to go, they continued to tell me how much I would thrive by going and loving on people around the world. Many of you already know this story, but I just want to share it one more time. I looked at the trips specifically with Africa as a destination for three months. I applied nervously and unsure for route one, I talked to my boyfriend because I was not really excited about the idea of leaving him for nine months and wanted to know what he thought (he only encouraged and urged me to continue in the direction of this trip, offering a ton of peace), I prayed for God to close the doors right away if this was not His will, but I got accepted less than 24 hours after my interview, and my first donation was $1,000 from someone I didn’t even know (Again, THANK YOU!!!). There was and still is no denying the doors that are standing wide open for this trip. God placed Africa on my heart, and I am finally going to go. I know that God has more in store for me than just Africa, and I am excited for Guatemala and Thailand even more for that reason.
My point for this blog: I am doing this race simply for the sake of the call. I am abandoning all (quite literally) for the call of the Lord. I know Africa has a special place in my heart, and I will soon find out why. I don’t need another reason. Even if it’s going to be hard and not fun at times (as I explained in my last blog). I am excited for this because I know this is what I am supposed to do. I will abandon it all for the sake of the call.
