First a little information may be useful…
Starting in September, I will be taking a break from school for a year and going on a 9 month mission trip throughout Africa and South-East Asia, doing a little bit of everything; helping orphaned children, participating in reforestation projects, caring for the elderly, and so much more, all while spreading the hope of the Gospel. I will be living out of a backpack with a squad of about 50 18-20 years olds from all over the US.
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The summer before, and during, senior year, college is all the talk. Everyone asks: Where you want to go? What do you want to study? What do you want to do with your life? If you asked me any of those questions my answer probably changed every time. I thought I really wanted to go to college, but everytime I thought of it I got stressed and anxious. I wasn’t ready to start school right away again, but I didn’t know what I wanted to do instead. Even after exploring dozens of different gap year programs, none of them felt like the answer.
Sometime during a conversation with my parents they brought up a program they had heard of called the World Race. They knew a young man who had done it a couple of years ago. After getting in touch with him and learning what the World Race was all about, I knew it was what I was looking for. I felt like God was speaking to me in a way he never had before. I’ve never been on any kind of mission trip, I’ve never done any kind of ministry, and I’ve never really put my faith at the center of my life, yet the idea of serving others and being a part of something bigger than myself, and bigger than college, seemed like my calling.
I’ve been putting off writing this first blog for a while now because sharing my own thoughts and feelings, especially about my faith, is something I’ve always been uncomfortable with. I know some of my close friends know that I have a relationship with God, but most people who know me wouldn’t expect it and would probably be suprised by the fact. I often try hiding my religious side from other people because I fear being judged, I worry that it might put a label on me.
But that is what this trip is all about; breaking out of my comfort zone like I never have before both as a Christian and as a 17 year old kid from Cedarburg.
Jesus asks us to do two simple things in our lives; love God and love other people. And I know it sounds cliche, but that is my main motivation in joining the Race. I really want to spread love and happiness to those that need it most. I have been lucky to have lived a privelaged life, I want to humble myself and experience the people and parts of the world that I so often hear about, only hoping for something better for them. I want to actually DO something that will make a difference.
This is sort of a rough explanation, I know, but I will try clearing things up in future posts. For now I just ask that you pray for me and stick around to read my blogs over the next year.
Thanks!
-Theo
