My heart is exploding with excitement as I think about finally going on the World Race in January! This dream has been 7 years in the making… so here is the EPIC story:
The story of my calling to the mission field began in January 2011 when my mother put an article from the Chaska Herald on my bed. It told of a young man who went on something called The World Race – an 11 month mission trip to 11 different countries. As I read the article, the Holy Spirit washed over me and I clearly heard Him say, “I’m calling you to go on this mission trip. Alyssa, I’m calling you to the nations.” Even though I had a huge YES in my spirit, the biggest I had in my mind was, “How can I make an impact? What is the special skill or ministry that the Lord has given me?”
Three months later, I found myself in Cape Town, South Africa working with kids in one of the largest slums in the country. As part of a course I was taking, I started an after school program where I taught the kids how to use a video camera, and together we created a documentary. It was there in the midst of utter brokenness and poverty that the Lord revealed how he created me to make a difference: filmmaking.
As I realized that I could harness the power of video to break the bonds of poverty & despair, empower ministries, and expand the Kingdom of God, the Holy Spirit rushed over me and whispered, “Alyssa, I want you to learn how to make films before you go on The World Race.”
But then I started arguing with God. “God, this is ridiculous! After all, I’m about to be a senior in college and I haven’t taken a single film class. This is crazy!” And then I heard Him let out a reassuring laugh and say, “This is only the beginning. You have no idea where I’m going to take you.” Oh man… It was like one of those times when someone sees something in you that you don’t see in yourself, and somehow you begin to see it too!
Because I didn’t know how it would all happen, I put my dream on the shelf for two years. Then in February 2013, I was invited on a free trip to Kenya with a wonderful lady named Joyce. On our final morning in Nairobi, we were at a Compassion graduation ceremony and I saw three guys setting up film equipment! That was the first time I saw people on the ground using film for ministry!
It was inspiring to say the least! Two days after I returned, I bought my first camera. That summer I became an intern at River Valley Church in the film department, and that set the ball in motion. In the years that followed, God surrounded me with incredible mentors and gave me amazing opportunities to grow my skills in filmmaking. I even had the chance to make two films overseas in both Thailand and El Salvador. God was really moving!
Then in 2016, I finally heard the Lord say, “It’s time!” Ahhhh! Finally I was equipped and ready! When choosing a route, I prayed that the Lord would provide one that included India and at least 3-4 other Asian countries (because of a prophetic word I received about doing ministry in those countries). Sure enough, when the January Expedition Route came out, it included all the countries I had been praying for!
During my time on The World Race, I will be traveling to 11 countries in the 10/40 window: Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Nepal, China, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, Spain, and Morocco. The 10/40 window is a region of the world that contains the most unreached people groups. I will be traveling with a squad of 30-40 people and once we arrive in the country, we will split up into smaller teams of 5-6 people for ministry.
My team and I will be partnering with pastors and missionaries in each country to preach the gospel, plant churches, minister to the poor, work with the victims of human trafficking, and ultimately bring the restorative hope of Jesus to many tribes and nations!
“Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, and the ends of the earth your possession.” – Psalm 2:8
I’m excited to have you on the journey with me!
