Hello friends!
I’ve had lots of people ask me questions about The World Race (even the Little Caesar’s fundraiser guy. ha.) so I thought I would write a blog post answering some of the commonly asked questions.
How did you find out about The World Race?
I can’t remember 100% how I found out about WR the first time, all I know is it was during my Junior year of college at Taylor University. I think it was at a campus ministry event and the speaker had gone on the race prior to that. Since then (like 7 years ago!), it has been brought up every once in awhile either through a Facebook add or post or a friend of a friend who went on the trip and every year or so I felt the pull to go but I would always let fear or my current situation get in the way.
Why did you decide to go on The World Race?
I have always had a passion for traveling to new places, meeting new people, connecting with them and their stories, and having conversations about God and what He is doing. I think God has given me the ability to form relationships fairly easily and to connect with “difficult” people or people that others may brush aside. I honestly believe that this passion for traveling and meeting new people was given to me by God and that God gives us the desires of our hearts if it is pleasing and honoring to Him. I took the leap of faith and committing to going on the race based on three major reasons: 1. To grow closer to God and become more of the person that He created me to be. I believe that God has called me to come away with Him at this time and to put aside the things from home or the things that I focus on so that He can reassess my priorities and show me what really matters in my life and to renew and revitalize my faith in a way that will touch others both at home and abroad. 2. Because there are people in the world who do not know the love of God or the story of how His Son came into the world to show love and be love and died on a cross so that we all may have eternal life with Him. Many of the countries we are going to outlaw Christianity and therefore there will be people that we meet who have NEVER heard the gospel message. I believe the Bible is clear in calling us to go and spread this news and to show love the way Jesus did. 3. Because I love traveling and getting to experience new things and new places! Some of the times when I have seen God most clearly have been on foreign soil. There is something so unique and amazing about being outside of your comfort zone and relying fully on God while also experiencing His creation and wonders in ways you may never have before! Truly there is nothing like it!
4. (Bonus) I believe that my obedience in going on this trip will touch many lives here in the United States as well! I hope that it will give others the confidence to pursue their calling and to trust God in times when things feel impossible (like leaving your job/house/family for a year and raising almost $20,000 to spread the good news throughout the world in places where Christianity is banned and Christians are persecuted.)
Who are you going with?
I am going with a team of people ages 22-35 from all throughout the US! There will be about 50 of us who travel to each country together and then we will be split into teams of 7 or so while in the country. Each month we will switch squads, so we will have the opportunity to do ministry with many different people. Although I don’t know any of these people personally, we have had a Facebook page where we are getting to know each other and encouraging one another in our faith. There are a few random connections as well (like one of my teammates goes to my Alma Mater- yeah TU! and one of them I actually used to work with at the same Olive Garden, so we have friends in common.)
Where will you be going?
We will be going to Guatemala, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Morocco, Ethiopia, Djibouti, India, Nepal, Thailand, Myanmar, and Indonesia.
What will you be doing while you’re there?
This question is a little difficult to answer because I’m honestly not sure what we will be doing in each country during the race. I can tell you that we will be doing whatever is needed to be done to help our host sites and to show love to the people we meet. This may mean teaching English, manual labor, feeding the hungry, providing child care, doing outreach and evangelism events, hosting VBS and conferences, praying for and with people, and just showing people that we meet that they are known and loved by us and even moreso by a God who sent His Son to die for them.
I’m hoping to also be able to use my experience and training as a mental health counselor and my knowledge of trauma-informed practices throughout this trip as we work with individuals rescued from prostitution, in orphanages, or other vulnerable individuals. I am hoping for the opportunity to come alongside ministries and agencies and to share some of my training with them to help them develop trauma-sensitive approaches in their ministries.
What is the money you’re raising actually going towards?
The $19,200 that I have to raise through Adventures in Missions goes towards our training, travel, and living expenses throughout the 11 months. Most missionaries and individuals in ministry have the challenge of raising their own support for their trip. I do not get a salary during this trip from Adventures in Missions OR from my job at home.
This DOES NOT include any of my equipment (hundreds of dollars in tents, backpacks, sleeping pads/bags, etc.), any of the required immunizations prior to the trip, or any personal expenses that may arise during the trip. What that means is, if I want to grab a Venti Green Tea Frapp from Starbucks while at the airport, that’s on me. If I want to purchase souvenirs or gifts in any of the countries we visit, that’s out of my bank account. Or, on the weekends while given free time, if I decide to go visit the Taj Mahal in India or ride a camel in the Sahara Desert in Morocco, or visit an Elephant sanctuary in Thailand, that’s all out of my own pocket.
What do you have to bring with you?
We are required to live out of a backpack for the 11 months on this trip (see below for a picture of mine!) We have to pack everything that we will need in this pack including a tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, pillow, etc. This also includes all of our clothes, shoes, and hygiene items for the duration of the trip. We will be able to take another smaller pack (like a school backpack) as a carry on that may have our electronics, cameras, and other items that we may need on travel days. We have to be able to carry all of our supplies if needed and also have to prove that we can hike 2.2 miles in under 38 minutes with all of our gear during our training camp.
Is this trip safe?
Copied directly from Adventures in Missions: “We recognize travel brings risk. We have worked hard to put extensive safety protocols in place. But, all racers need to consider things happen that we can’t predict. People get sick and accidents happen. It is likely you will meet people suffering from a variety of diseases.
To address the issues we face, we have an experienced risk management team. They monitor political, health, weather, and other risks in the regions that we minister. This information includes the U.S. State Department travel warnings. All Racers are covered by a strong travel insurance policy. The insurance company works closely with us to ensure you will receive the care you need. For more information about the insurance policy, click here.
We have external consultants who assist us in designing and managing our training and field implementation for safety protocols. Our internal risk management team creates contingency plans as needed so we are ready to move teams quickly if the need arises. We also have an extensive network of ministry partners and ministry connections worldwide who provide us with “eyes on the ground” as we assess situations.”
What have you learned as you prepare for The World Race?
I have learned so much about living on faith and trusting that God will do what He says He will do. It is amazing to see how the pieces have fallen into place as I prepare for this trip. When I committed to this trip I did so knowing I was putting my job (which I love) at risk as well as potentially having to sell my house. God worked in an amazing way and my job is being held for me that I can start back up as soon as I return from my trip and I have renters for my house. I believe that God is teaching me that if I trust Him with the big things, He will work through the details in ways I never would have imagined. I also feel like God is showing me areas in my life that I need to work on to become more like Him and to become the person that He created me to be.
How can I help?
Pray for me and my team as we continue to prepare for this trip. Pray for our physical, spiritual, emotional, and psychological well-being both during preparations and throughout our journey. Pray for the countries that we will be visiting. Pray for open doors and open opportunities and that God will begin working in the people’s hearts now so that they will be responsive to our message. Also pray for provision.
I need to raise $19,200 to participate in this trip. While I have full confidence that God will provide, I welcome any and all support! Would you consider making a one-time or monthly donation to help me meet this goal? Watch for information soon on additional fundraisers and opportunities to give! I will soon be posting wish list items that I still need to gather if you would like to help in that way.
