I’ve tried writing this so many times, but it’s kind of intimidating. I’ve been trying to write all my thoughts out in a way you would want to read and it not be confusing. I’m going to do my best and start with how it all happened.
I had been praying for months about a mission trip I could take before college. I found several different organizations and trips, but either the time lines never matched up or I had to have at least 2 years of college. I was getting frustrated because I thought this was what I was supposed to do, but things kept falling through. That’s when I decided to let God take the lead. I realized I could plan the perfect trip, but unless God was leading it wasn’t going to work. Soon after I came to this realization, I came across the World Race Gap Year, a nine month trip to three continents. I started praying about each route available. When I came to Route 5 (Swaziland, Nepal, India, and Guatemala), I felt the Lord saying, “This is it! This one is for you!”
After many hours of prayer, I sent in my application and set up an interview for 9 o’clock on December 7, 2017. I woke up that morning extremely nervous, super excited, and slightly scared, all wrapped up in one. I was hoping I would get the chance to pray before we started the interview. The Lord had brought me this far, I wanted him to be the center of this interview. When the call came and the lady on the other end asked if she could open us in prayer, I knew God had brought me here. She said I would hear back within 5 days on whether I had been accepted. Little did I know, five hours later, I would get an acceptance call. I was in the middle of a conversation when this random number called me. I freaked out! Just a little bit. I ran outside to answer. After confirming that I was Carrie Grace, he said something along the lines of, “I would like to congratulate you on your acceptance to Route 5 of the World Race.” I was so excited that I screamed over the phone into the poor guy’s ear. I had to tell everyone! Although I’m pretty sure anyone within a mile of me already knew after that scream. 🙂
Over Christmas, as I was sitting with family around the table and opening presents, it started to sink in. As exciting as this is, I have to face reality. I will be spending Christmas next year in Nepal, away from my family and friends. That realization made this Christmas that much sweeter. To think, I get to set out on a new journey to share God’s love in Swaziland, Nepal, India, and Guatemala this year. I will spend Christmas 2018 with my new World Race family.
I hope you will tag along with me as I give you updates about how my fundraising is going, how I’m preparing for my trip, and then follow my journey as I go.
Your girl,
Carrie Grace
Isaiah 6:8
