This really just feels surreal. I can't even think of an epic or cheesy title for my first blog post! How do I even begin to gather and communicate my thoughts and emotions at this point? Whether I already know you personally or not I hope that my blog will let you share in my experience! I’m trying to be very real [find my online voice] and share it all: the good, the bad, the funny, the scary, and the beautiful.
So, what is the World Race? It’s a journey to 11 countries in 11 months to serve "the least of these" while living in community and working with local ministries. I‘ll just quote the website that, “This unique mission trip is a challenging adventure for young adults to abandon worldly possessions and a traditional lifestyle in exchange for an understanding that it's not about you; it's about the Kingdom.” It’s a ministry of Adventures in Missions (AIM) which is who I did a short-term trip to Swaziland with in March of 2012.
I know you want to know more! Like, when and where am I going? I’m launching in January and returning in November of 2013. I'm so excited for my route! South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique, India, Nepal, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Moldova, and Romania.
Naturally, everyone is wondering why I’m going! This past year has been one of those exciting/exhausting/emotional/will affect the rest of my life, years. God and I have gotten a lot more personal. Also, I feel like I’ve been stuck in that “I’m an ‘adult’ and think I know what I want for my life but don’t quite know how to get there so I’ll just make plans and decisions as the opportunities come up” phase that I’m pretty sure everyone goes through. I know that God’s been telling me to make some changes and find my passions and ultimately to do His will (which is to love Him and others!) and follow His guidance, and that for me is to go on this crazy exciting experience that is the World Race in January! I’ll share more on "how i was called to the mission field" soon! I went from saying I’d never do the Race to applying, interviewing, and committing in a few short months. God changed my heart and flipped my world upside down. J
Since I’ve made the commitment to go I can feel it being confirmed. I’ve got an amazing peace that I’ve really only felt a couple of times in my life. I mean the peace is also battling with the stress and “overwhelmingness” of preparing to leave for a year in 4 short months and trying to figure this all out financially. [sigh]
I’ve heard not to have any expectations for the Race. But, I do. I expect that my life will change forever. Meaning that I’ll change and grow as a person. My perspectives and passions will be different. I’m very okay with this. (I remember singing the line, “Break my heart for what breaks yours, Lord” during campus church services years ago. I don’t think I was ready to really mean it but, at this point I can say that I am.) I expect to grow closer to the Lord and to see Him work in ways I’ve never seen, or sought to see. I expect to experience Christian community by literally doing life together. I’m actually kind of craving this. [Even though it won’t be pretty] I do expect to be dirty, to cry a lot,and to struggle and to do a whole lot of smiling.
I know that I can’t do this journey alone so I’m asking you to please lift me up in prayer! (Also pray for my fellow world racers and my family too, please. We need it.) If you would consider financially supporting me I will truly, forever be thankful. I’m excited to see the body of Christ working together with different gifts to accomplish the Lord’s purposes! I know you're now probably sitting on the edge of your seat just like I am so please keep checking on me! Love y'all.
