Dear Family and Friends,
I hope you are doing well. I am writing to you to let you know about some exciting new things that are happening in my life. I am finishing up my sophomore year at Mississippi State University. I have decided to take a semester off from school in the fall and go on the World Race Gap Semester. If you do not know what the World Race is, it is a Christian led mission trip to various countries that focus on spreading the Word of God and making Him known to all nations. If you have never heard of it, I really encourage you to do some research into their ministry. I have chosen to do the semester program and will be gone for three months on the Cambodia and Thailand route. I have been praying about going on the World Race for almost two years now, and God has shown me lately that now is the time for me to go. As you may know, over my spring break I went on a week long mission trip to Guatemala to see if traveling and ministry is something I would even enjoy doing. I completely fell in love with the country and the children I got to connect with. During that week, I saw God working and showing Himself more to me in that week then ever in my entire life. God changed my outlook and perspective in so many ways just in one week. I cannot even begin to imagine how He is going to work through me when I give him my full attention for three months.
When applying for the World Race, I was really anxious about which route would be best for me. After lots of prayer and research, I felt God calling me to the Cambodia and Thailand route. This specific route is for women only that are of the ages 18-22. While in Cambodia, we will be partnering with the ministry called New Hope for Orphans. This ministry holds 400 orphaned children throughout Cambodia by housing them in family-style orphanages. While there, I will live at the actual orphanage. My day-to-day activities will be different, but most likely I will be doing light construction, cleaning projects, and relational ministry. I will also be teaching English and leading Bible studies. In Thailand, we will be partnering with Sending Hope International. This ministry has a passionate vision for discipleship and is the home to 30-40 orphaned girls. These girls are discipled by seven staff members who teach them about Christ’s life, lead them in Bible study, help them discover the beauty of musical worship, and teach them about why we pray.
Ultimately, my main goal and prayer is in some way to touch every person’s life that I come in contact with and show them just how real and alive God is. I am beyond grateful and excited to start this new chapter in my life. I am writing to you in hopes that you will continue to pray for me not only while I am there, but also while I get ready and spiritually prepare for the trip. I also need help financially to be able to go on my trip. I must fundraise $7,000 to go on the Cambodia and Thailand route. This will cover all of my travel, lodging, and insurance while I am out on the field. I am so excited to see how God uses me and changes my life in these next few months. Thank you in advance for your prayers and donations. May God bless you as you carefully consider sponsoring me in the ministry.
