What is The World Race?
The World Race is a stretching journey into 11 countries in 11 months to serve “the least of these” while amongst real and raw community. 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. We will be traveling with a team of peers and project leaders. The majority of the trip will take place in third world countries. We will be in places where people live in abject poverty. More often than not, we will live in these types of conditions as well forsaking modern conveniences. Many of the challenges we will encounter include exposure to various diseases, sleeping in severe hot or cold, walking long distances carrying heavy weight, exposure to unclean water and food, and lack of control over types of food eaten. Life on the race will vary from month to month, but some common things we can expect to be doing include, but are not limited to, working in orphanages, ministering to women and children that have been trapped in prostitution as a result of human trafficking, planting and rebuilding churches, etc.
World Race teams undergo pre-trip briefing and training regarding the work we will be doing and the culture in which we will be living. During the trip, there are monthly debriefs which are led by certified Adventures in Missions debrief teams. This debrief offers a time for us to review our experience in the light of a biblical worldview.
God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called
I first heard about the World Race back in 2012 through a friend I used to work with. I got on Facebook and saw a status she posted regarding her trip and the money she needed to raise in order to be able to go. Naturally, I started researching what the World Race was and began following her journey via social media and her World Race blog. In that moment, I thought to myself how cool it would be to get out of your comfort zone and serve globally, all for the purpose of loving people, meeting needs, and spreading the gospel. The more I read about how God showed up and provided for my friend’s trip and changed so many lives through her, the more interested I became. It’s always awesome to see God show up through the lives of other people, but the question always appeared in my mind: Could God really use ME in this way? I felt a nagging feeling saying, YES, he can, but the idea of it intimidated me.
Over the last couple of years a lot has happened. I finished college and began working full time. Life has been in full force. Reluctantly, I’ve settled into the 8-5 routine. Surely there is more to life than this. This can’t be it. The same thing over and over. Very little interaction with people as I sit in my cubicle all day. Aimlessly going through the motions wondering if this was it. Sadly, this has been my thought process. I began thinking of other options, something more exciting, a plan “B”. I decided to start praying about it, asking God what he had planned for me. Clearly, his plans were going to be much more fulfilling than my own, selfish plans. After time in prayer and in the word, I felt like God was calling me to missions. My first response was…”Okay, God… NEXT plan. I don’t like this plan. I’m not the perfect Christian. I’ve made tons of mistakes. I don’t even go to church every Sunday. There is no way you can use me. I know I asked for your help, but this isn’t exactly what I had in mind.” Well, needless to say, I began looking into the World Race again, as it hasn’t left my mind since I first started following my friend’s journey. I decided to apply. I was terrified. I’ve never been out of the country. I can’t even go a week without seeing my family, much less 11 months. There was no way this was going to happen, but God had a different plan. I got accepted. Naturally, I was excited, but still unsure. I’ve spent more time in prayer and of course tons of time talking about it, hoping that one of my family members or friends would say just the right thing to convince me to go. It hit me, this isn’t about what my family or friends think is best for my life. God was calling me to GO and that is ultimately all that matters.
With all of that being said, my launch date is January 6, 2016.
I still have so many questions. The biggest one being… How am i going to raise over 16,000 dollars?? Well, I don’t know the answer to that, but I have peace knowing that God does.
As I take this large step of faith in trusting the Lord, would you prayerfully consider partnering with me on this journey? Ways that you can help:
Prayer! This is a big decision for me and your prayerful support and encouragement are greatly appreciated!!
Provide funding! I am also asking for financial support. I don’t want you to feel obligated in any way, but would ask that you prayerfully consider helping fund my journey. Anything you are willing to give can be used and will be graciously accepted! You can choose to give a one-time donation or give on a recurring basis. To do this you can click on the “Support Me” link at the top of the page.
Thank you in advance for all the love and support as I embark on this incredible journey!
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
Matthew 28:19
If you want to see more about what The World Race is… check out the youtube video below
