Yes /yes/ (noun): an affirmative answer or decision.
Yes is one of the easiest words in the English language. We learn to say yes or to communicate an affirmative answer even before we can walk or talk. We say yes on a daily basis. I’d venture to say it’s one of the most commonly used words in our vocabulary (for some of us, that is.) Some yes’s are easy and almost intuitive “Yes, I would like another scoop of ice cream” or “yes, I am Ashley”. And then there are yes’s that change everything. The entire course of your life can be redirected in one “yes”- you could say yes to attending a specific University, yes to a new job, yes to moving to a new state or across town to a new house, yes to a boyfriend or girlfriend, or yes to “will you marry me?”. One yes can change your life forever.
On July 5th, 2018 I made what I anticipate being a life-changing yes. I said yes to going on The World Race in June of 2019.
What is The World Race? I’m glad you asked. The World Race is an 11 month, 11 country missions trip to share the love of Jesus and to serve others around the world. Yes, you read that right. 11 months in 11 different countries. When I made the commitment to participating in The World Race I committed to leaving my family, friends, boyfriend, dog, and everything else that I know and love for almost an entire year. This yes did not come easily- and it won’t be easy. At the time of writing this blog I am still uncertain how it will all work out. There are still a lot of unknowns of the implications that saying “yes” will have. I am working out details for what will happen to my house and job and who will watch my dog. There is fear and uncertainty in the unknown, but I have confidence that God will provide and that the details will be resolved as I pursue Him in this decision.
By saying yes to The World Race I said yes to going and making disciples. I said yes to traveling to Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Morocco, Ethiopia, Djibouti, India, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, and Indonesia. I said yes to long plane rides, and even longer bus trips (think 24 hours in a non-air conditioned bus through the mountains- honestly the thing I am most dreading during these 11 months). I said yes to many months of living out of a backpack, sleeping on a mat, showering with a bucket, and using a squatty potty. I said yes to eating mysterious foods and potentially (probably) mysterious sicknesses. But I also said yes adventures and memories that will last a lifetime.
So, how can you help? As with any mission’s trip, I will be needing a lot of support as I am preparing and embarking on The World Race. First and primarily I ask for your prayers. Pray for wisdom in preparation, pray for health (physically, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally) for me and my team throughout the trip, pray for the countries that we will be visiting and the people that we will be meeting. Pray that God’s Will will be done and that He will work in and through each of us during this trip. Pray for safety and ease in traveling. Pray for unity for my team and for good attitudes and willingness to do whatever is needed. Pray for quick and easy bus rides (no, but for real.. ) And lastly, pray for God’s provision as I work to raise the funds necessary to go on this trip. To participate in The World Race in June of 2019 I need to raise a little over $19,000. If you would like to support me in my fundraising please click the link at the top of the page to donate to my trip. You can make a one time donation or pledge a monthly amount. I will also be having many fundraising events and opportunities throughout the next 10 months. Watch for details for T-shirts, restaurant donation nights, events, and other fundraising opportunities. Please subscribe and share my blog to help spread the word and to receive updates on my trip both now and when I leave!
