Wow. It’s finally here. The World Race. My first blog post. eeeeep!! I’m jumping for joy!!
If you’ve talked to me in the past two years, you’ve probably heard me talk about the Race. I don’t really remember where it all began – my dream of the race, the visions the Lord has given me, the pull of my heart towards this specific trip around the world for a year, but if I thought I knew he was calling me on it before, he has confirmed that even more in the past month!! It would be quite an understatement to simply say I am pumped, even though I very much am. But even more than that, I am eagerly ready. I have moved beyond the simple excitement of adventure around the world and into a deep preparatory season, anticipating and readying myself for the coming journey.
But before I get into sharing all about this sweet preparation season the Lord has me in now (I promise, more on that to come!!), I want to rewind and share a few of the reasons I am going on the World Race-
- To obey the calling of the Lord -the most important reason you will see on this list. But like I said earlier, this is something the Lord put on my heart years ago. It’s quite difficult to put into words, but the pressing of the Spirit on my heart, his pull towards this endeavor, the confirmation time and time again as I pray, the people he put in my path that are going on or have already gone on the Race, the visions of myself on the Race (picture above is a vision the Lord gave me about a year ago as I prayed over the Race) and the peace deep in my heart. I know this is what the Lord has for me in the coming up season.
- To utilize the way the Lord has made me to bring him glory – He created me to be quite adaptable, able to dive in and thrive in new places and with new people. Honesty, its one of my greatest strengths and all praise to the Lord for that!!! But this is why he often calls me to get up and go all over the world, declaring his name. It’s what he built me for. So when to some, 11 countries in 11 months sounds overwhelming and intimidating, I am at peace, knowing it’s the kind of avenue I was designed for.
- To prepare for the calling he has given me & the dreams he has placed in my heart – When I was 15, the Lord put a dream on my heart of opening a cafe called Broken Bread that foster community and relationship, especially between the church and and the world. As I have grown, the Lord has matured this vision as he has given me a passion for hospitality, for unity and for building bridges. My heart is to not only unite the body of Christ locally, but to unite the Body all over the world. One way I plan to do that is through the platters that will be served – each platter will represent a different country (for example, an Injera platter for Ethiopia) and a proceed of the sales of that platter will go towards a partner organization within that country that is doing great things for their local community & more importantly, for the Kingdom of God! Selling those platters will also provide opportunities to share their stories and all God is doing in that country! The World Race will give me 11 opportunities to partner alongside local organizations, share their stories, and hopefully one day, continue a partnership down the road when I open Broken Bread!
So there it is!! A little it of my heart behind the World Race! I am so excited for this journey to begin. I am calling upon all friends and family to partner alongside of me in the ministry the Lord has called me to. Most importantly, through prayer!!! Pray as I begin the fundraising process, pray as the Lord strengthens and readys my heart, pray for gospel conversations to come as I talk about all the Lord is doing in my life this coming up year.
Second, I ask you to subscribe to my blog updates to stay in the loop of my journey!!! I would love to interact with all of you – comment your love & encouragement!! I will need it all in this time!!
Lastly, in order to go on the race, I have to raise enough money to support me for the next year. I ask that you prayerfully consider supporting me financially. Every little bit helps. This $19,200 covers all of my flights, lodging, food, insurance and other expenses throughout the year! You an give right here on the blog!!
Thank you all!!! You are each so very dear to my heart! I am so thankful the Lord put you in my life!
lots of love,
Annie
