This looks like a bad decision.
I know that this might seem like the worst financial decision. As if I don’t know the value of a dollar. Like I can just ask my friends and family for money and expect them to provide without a second thought.
Like I haven’t thought my life through. Or I’m scared to move on to the next step after graduation, so this mission trip thing is just a way to hold out another year.
Or that I’m bored and maybe just need to go through this “live out of a backpack” phase before I settle down.
Or even that maybe I would just like a free vacation before I have to join the “real world”.
I am saddened that people may think my decision to join World Race was attributed to any of the statements above. But I get it. This isn’t what most people do after they graduate college.
Lately I have been overwhelmed with the anxiety and stress that come from financially and emotionally preparing for the World Race, but I am ready to give up this anxiety. Part of that process is explaining my heart for missions and being transparent about why I am fully committed to the Race.
As I thought about the next year of my life, I decided to pray about the next step even though I was completely set on teaching. I believe in the power of prayer and the power of talking to the God who loves me and walks beside me with every choice I need to make. If you’re someone who doesn’t understand this, then you will not understand why I signed up for World Race. As I was praying about next year, I felt called to let go of my teaching career and pursue missions, which led me to the Race. I love that the Race offers me a chance to live in a close community with other Christians who challenge me to grow and seek God for every decision. I also love that the Race takes my strengths into consideration before placing me at a service site for a month, so I know that the way I was created is going to be used to benefit the community. I am also excited that the Race works with existing ministries (like Hosea’s Heart!) in need of short term volunteers, so that ministries across the globe will have enough workers to meet their needs. Overall, I love that God called me to a ministry that is going to allow me to spend a year of my life in a place of servitude.
As I said before, if you are someone who doesn’t believe in the power of prayer, doesn’t believe that God cares deeply about people and wants to work in our lives, or doesn’t believe that God can direct our choices, then you won’t understand what I’m doing. I’m at a point where I need to say it’s okay if people don’t get this, because I’m responding to something God laid on my heart.
As I approach my first fundraising deadline in May, I know that I still have a long way to go. With that being said, I am inviting others to prayerfully consider financially donating to my mission. Please let me know if you, your church, or company would like a support letter that explains more about the mission. If you are unable to financially donate, I still need people praying for me or being part of a strong support system, because supporters are equally as important as financial donors. The World Race isn’t supposed to be a single person going out across the globe, but it’s about a community of people working together to bring God’s love throughout the world and serve the way that Jesus served. Having a group of people praying for my squad or showing support can greatly impact our ability to go out and serve.
I am so grateful for everyone who has donated financially and for people who continue to show support. I am so blessed to have you.
