Let me just start off by saying… I cannot believe this is actually happening! I am so thrilled to be a part of this journey and get to travel to different countries spreading God's Word and bringing Kingdom for the next year! I am looking forward to meeting my squad and team, who will become family in these next few months. But let me first step back to the beginning, where this adventure started to unfold.
The World What?
Seven months ago, I would have never guessed I would be going on a trip like this. I had never even heard of the World Race until 5 months ago from a good friend. I thought it was some sort of program where people run marathons all around the world. I mean, I love to run, but those must be some serious athletes. I looked into the World Race on my own and was pleasantly surprised by the mission of the WR, and enticed by all of the countries racers get to travel to (I have always wanted to travel!). Yet, I continued on with my comfortable life here in Madison. After all, Madison was finally starting to feel like home after this difficult season with loss, loneliness, and confusion. I have been blessed to get a job straight out of nursing school and am in love with the kids I get to work with every week at the running club I volunteer for. I am starting to forge deep and meaningful friendships and get involved in the community as well. Amidst all of these comforts and blessings that have been so clearly placed in my life, I felt an emptiness inside me continue to grow. All I could hear was God whisper, "Just wait. Wonderful things are right around the corner."
So after another few months of rest and waiting, the World Race started to creep back up onto my radar. After much prayer, counsel from trusted sisters, and various messages heard, God told me it was time to apply. Although I was not sure of the exact details, I knew what I was getting in to. God was telling me to leave this life behind, forgo all of my material possessions, and Follow Him. Sounds easy, right? I knew in my head that God would provide and bless my decision to follow His plan for my life, but did I know this in my heart? My brain started to feel extremely overwhelmed by the weight of this decision and what it would exactly mean. I would have to leave my job (and wonderful co-workers!), sublet my apartment, figure out loan payment, sell my car, buy gear and equipment, and support raise over $16,000. This is just the short and sweet list, by the way.
My Biggest Fear
I would have to say the biggest fear is not knowing what my future holds. Not knowing where I will be living when I come back or what job I will have. After all, I grew up with a plan. My plan was to stay in Madison, go to graduate school in another year or so, and save traveling for a time that "was right and fit into my schedule." I feel as though our flesh desires to be in control. To have a plan and be able to manipulate/change it as we see fit. We strive to fit into this world and define success by our profession, status, our pant size, or fancy cars.
Well–I am so thankful and relieved that God has other plans for me. I am happy that He decided to take over the reigns and steal the show, if you will. He has given me an overwhelming sense of peace about this next journey in my life.. I still do not know what my future will hold when I come back but I am not even worried about that. I am excited to see how God will work through my team and I, and the lives that will be transformed because of Him. There are so many steps and support raising ahead of me, but I know that God has it because this is His plan!
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of him. 1 John 5:14-15
The Next Steps
So here I am, beginning the adventure of a lifetime with God, friends, and loved ones. I invite you to be a part of this journey, too! I will be sending out support letters to many people in the next week but encourage you to keep coming back and checking out new blog posts when you have the chance. When I am out on the field, I should be posting 2-3 times a week, depending on whether or not we have internet. Here are some ways you can help out in sending me on this trip!
Donate Online!
- You can click the "Support Me" tab on the left hand side of the page or on the link at the top of the page!
- You can make a one-time donation, or set up a monthly donation and choose the start and end date. *Just keep in mind that if you would like to support me for a year, the start date would have to be July 1, 2013-July 1, 2014!
- **If 30 people donate $44 a month for 12 months, I would have 100% funds necessary for this trip!!
Sending a donation in the mail:
- Make checks payable to Adventures in Missions. *You must include "World Race Carly Newton" on the "For" part of the check so they know who it will be going to!
- Mailing address: Adventures in Missions, PO Box 534470, Atlanta, GA 30353-4470
- Please shoot me a message or let me know if you send a check in the mail so I can update Adventures in Missions about my updated account balance :)?
Monthly Donations via Dynapay:
- You may give monthly through a website called Dynapay, here is the link: http://www.adventures.org/dynapay. There will be no processing fees for using this!
- Keep in mind that Dynapay will not allow you to enter an "end date", so you have to contact Consumer Relations at: 1-800-881-2461 ext. 251, or e-mail them at [email protected].
- Also note that I have to be fully funded by July 1, 2014 (6 months in to the race!!)
For This I Know
This is not going to be an easy journey, but a time of spiritual growth and maturity, nonetheless. After all, God never promised to hand us a playbook of our lives, detailing everything that would happen in our present and future. He never promised that serving Him would be a walk in the park, or that it would be predictable, convenient, or on our own terms. But don’t you see the beauty in all of this? God has created each and every one of us, unique and individual, for a REASON. He has a purpose for our lives and is seeking out a relationship with US! And guess what? His plans prevail. They are better than anything we can ever imagine because God is good and He LOVES us. He asks us to bow down and surrender our lives to Him and carry out His Kingdom’s work because we owe it to Him! Because He knows that this is what’s best for us.
When we try to fight temptations the enemy throws at us and give in to our fleshly desires on our own strength, we fail. When we try and create our own seemingly “perfect” plans for our lives and figure it’s going well for a while; years maybe; we still stumble and fall. We may try and fill that emptiness inside of us with men, relationships or friendships, shopping, food, or whatever else we may run to for comfort – but this only Christ can fill and our identity lies in Him alone. So would God bless this life I lead right now of ministering to people at work, going to church, reading the Word often, doing bible studies, and surrounding myself with fellowship and community? Maybe. Probably yes. Because He loves all of His children and will make beauty and goodness out of every path we choose out of the free will He has given us.
But, what if I choose the unpredictable route? The one where I leave my job, comfortable lifestyle, family, and friends here? What happens when I choose the route God has so clearly placed upon my heart? I know that this is going to be a difficult journey. I know that there will be times of uneasiness or when I feel the task ahead is impossible. But I know that my Abba is holding my hand through this all and that He will never leave or forsake me. I know that He will bless my decision to be obedient to His calling and I will grow in more ways than I could even imagine. Although the road ahead may seem daunting and unrecognizable, I hold in my heart the truth that The Lord is with me always.
Final Thoughts
I am looking forward to venturing on in this adventure with you and cannot wait to see what God has in store. He has taken an anxious, fearful, and hesitant person and turned her into a trusting, loving, and at peace woman. I wonder what God can do for you and what His plans are for YOUR life? He is calling, we just have to listen and follow in obedience. Remember, you are a Son/Daughter of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!! He prevails but there is work to be done. There are millions of people crying out in this world and those who do not yet know Jesus. I choose to surrender my life and comforts to an all-powerful and loving God. We have to trust, have faith, and know in our minds AND hearts that God has our best interest in mind. Because He does, and is seeking after you every single day. Let's take up our cross and bathe in the wonders and glory of His promises.
