The first time I knew I wanted to do mission work I was in 8th grade. I did not know where or when, but I always knew I wanted to do some kind of work in the mission field. This dream was confirmed on my first mission trip to New York in 9th grade, it changed something in me that I never knew could change. That change was the love I have for going door to door and meeting kids at an after school program and putting a smile on each and every one of their faces. I chose to do the World Race because God placed it on my heart and called me to do this during my sophomore year in high school.
I remember seeing the World Race pop up on my Facebook feed one day and at first I thought it would be cool to travel the world for a year. The more I prayed about I found that God had called me to do The World Race one day. The first person I went to was my missions pastor to see if this was the right thing to do at this time and we had both agreed that it wasn’t time yet. However, over the last 3 years the more I prayed about it the more it became clear to me that this is what I was supposed to do one day. During my senior year of high school I decided to tell my parents, at first it did not go over very well with them, after 2 years they have been praying about it and finally decided that it was time for me to go.
While this has been a long process, it has been a very worth while process that has made it nerve racking yet peaceful in the last few months. During my time on the World Race for the next year my team and I will be travelling the United States, we will be visiting 35+ states during this next year. Isaiah 40:31 which says,” But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” this verse has been on my heart for the last few weeks and it describes my journey for the last 6 years.
In between the summer and my senior year of high school and the winter of my freshman year of college I tried so hard not to think of the World Race because I did not want to be reminded of what I could not do, but I always kept on going back and reading blogs, seeing videos and pictures, and I knew that this is what I was supposed to do for the next year of my life. One thing I would be grateful for is your prayers and support through this journey that I am about to embark on for the next year. Your support means the world to me and each and everyone that reads will be prayed over.
~ Amanda Urquides
