Why the world race, why me, and why now? (If you aren't sure what the World Race is, the explanation is in the prior post)
If you’ve read my “who is Brittany LaTray?” section then you know that I have already done missions in Africa. It was a really difficult trip, not only the trip itself, but also fundraising and living situations, etc. and I wasn’t sure I was ready to jump into all that again. I know that we're called to serve others, especially those who cannot help themselves, but I wasn’t sure what that would look like in this season of my life.
During my spring break from college I had the opportunity to spend some quality time talking with one of my mom’s best friends, who is a walking pilgrim. Basically she travels a lot and we spent days swapping stories of travels and adventures and people we’ve met. Through our talks, the desire to see the world and help people was seriously stirring in me. After break, she sent me a link to the world race and said it might be something I’d be interested in. One of my goals in life is to create health initiatives for third world countries that involve teaching others about healthcare and nutrition in order to better their lives. What better way to understand what individuals living in these countries are in need of then spending time in different countries learning about the people there? Visiting 11 different countries on 5 different continents would absolutely open up my eyes to see what needs are around the world.
I was really at a turning point in my life when I was first considering the world race; I was just about to graduate college and really had no solid plans for what I would do afterwards. I considered grad school and full time work and backpacking Europe, but nothing had stuck yet. Until I looked into the world race. I didn’t get too excited or tell a lot of people about it at first, not until I committed to it. But basically I applied, had a phone interview, and exactly a week later I got a call saying I was being offered a spot on the world race for the January route I had applied to. I honestly thought I would be ecstatic when I got that call, but I was speechless. I think the girl on the other end of the call was expecting some enthusiasm, but all I could say was “thanks, I’ll let you know”. Reality had set in; if I said yes I would be spending almost a year away from everything I know and love here and living out of a backpack going all over the world.
Possibly showering with rainwater caught in buckets as necessity requires 🙂
Probably living in close quarters with people I don't know
If I say yes, then I don’t get to be bitter towards God for any failed expectations from my last mission trip. I have to let go of all that and fully invest myself into this trip and prepare for God to use me, teach me, etc. It took me a couple days and some serious wrestling with God, but I emailed the world race back and officially accepted my spot. So that leads me to now, 7 months until the world race. My time now is a preparation time in which I am cultivating a deeper relationship with God and just preparing myself to be completely poured out in serving others, which should always be in season!
It’s also a time where I have to get serious about fundraising. Consider becoming a prayer partner, that’s first and foremost! By partnering with me in prayer and if you feel led, financially, you get to come alongside me and be a part of this trip with me! I am working to fund as much as possible, but allowing others to partner with me and be a part of this journey makes so much more of a difference than doing it alone. The trip costs $15,500. Which may seem like a lot, but it really isn’t. I am asking 30 people to donate $20 a month for 6 months. For recurring donations you can select when you would like them to stop. Please consider a onetime donation or take the $20 a month challenge for 6 months!
If you would like to support me financially, click the "Support Me" tab on the left side of the page. It'll direct you to the support page. There you can make one time or reoccuring donations. For reoccuring donations be sure to enter how often (monthly, etc) and the end date. Thank You!
These are also fundraisers that I am a part of, if you feel lead to be involved in any, let me know 
:
Threads of Hope bracelets– ½ the proceeds go back to families in the Philippines who actually make the bracelets. 1 bracelet for $3 or 2 for $5, they are beautiful, I have hundreds to choose from!
Fund the Nations– t-shirts! I am currently working with this company to design a fundraising t-shirt. If you’d like one, contact me for sizes.
Community yard sale, a spaghetti dinner, and car wash are also in the works!
Support letters– these are first and foremost because this is my support system! If you’d like a letter that better describes what I am doing, email me your address.
