Wow.
I have been putting off writing this first post for quite sometime now, partly because I fear I do not have the words to adequately describe this journey that I'm on and partly because I am not much of a blogger! Ok here goes nothing.
As some of you may know now, come August 2011, I will be embarking on an insane journey to 11 different countries around the world in just 11 months. This has been quite a process so far but before I get into the actual trip, I want to fill you in on my life leading up to this moment.
After graduating high school, college seemed to be the next logical step. So, for the past two years, I was studying Social Work at Spring Arbor University. School was somewhat of a struggle for me, though. I was becoming a version of myself that I did not recognize. I became enveloped in cynical attitudes and selfish ways. I would ask myself often, Andrea, who are you? What are you becoming? I partially answered these questions by taking a break from school, coming home, and getting a full-time job at Starbucks. I wanted to focus more on who I was becoming than what my career would be. There were things going on in my life that needed to change significantly. God was breaking me. Those were some of the most sobering experiences, when God would give me a glimpse of how truly depraved and desperate I am. I want to be committed to growing in Christ. I desire for my life to be in line with His. I want to continually be changing and growing. I don't want negativity, selfishness, cynicism, etc. to rule my life. I want to be free from those attitudes. and I believe that the Lord is calling me to something so much more than what I have known.
Enter: The World Race
So after making the decision to stay home this year, I began looking into different missions organizations and opportunities. I was introduced to the World Race, checked it out, LOVED what I saw, applied, and got accepted! It all seemed to happen quite fast, however, I did have another missions opportunity that I was seeking so I weighed my options, prayed, and came to the conclusion that the World Race is what I am going to do this year! You may be wondering what the World Race is all about. Like I said before, it's 11 countries (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, China, Ukraine, Moldova and Romania) in 11 months. My team and I will be abandoning everything we've known to minister to and serve the people God brings upon our path. We will be sharing the hope of Christ, visiting hospitals and orphanages, praying over the sick, loving the unloved etc. Ministry in all sorts of ways!
Here is where you come in.
This is going to take an immense amount of support from you guys. I cannot and would not do this without all of you backing me up. That's the beauty of the body of Christ, right!? I ask that you consider ways to support me, whether financially or through prayer. Or even just a note of encouragement would be MUCH appreciated! If you choose to pray for me, I ask that you specifically pray that beginning now, (and for the rest of my life, really) all traces of myself would be stripped away, leaving only Christ in my life. It would be such an honor if you would partner with me on this journey. Join me as I seek God's kingdom and follow His leading! Because ultimately, this is not about money. This is not about me. This is not about you. This is about the kingdom of our Almighty God! To Him be the glory!
If you are lead to support me monetarily, scroll up, click on the Support Me! button on the upper lefthand side of the page!
What a great adventure life is with Christ.
Let's do this!
