Last year, I spent the spring break of my senior year trekking the mountains of Nepal. It was my first time in an Asian culture, first time being around people who had never heard of Jesus, and first time really seeing the world through Jesus’ eyes. And while it was only my first time for these things, I was certain it wouldn’t be my last.
As soon as I left Nepal, I immediately wanted to go back to this area of the world, and I started dreaming of ways that would lead me back there after graduation. However, God had other plans for this past year. I graduated from Samford University in May 2015, spent the following summer in Australia with Campus Outreach, and I’ve been getting my Masters in Business Administration (MBA) while working random jobs – from an online newspaper, a local boutique, and the one and only Chick-fil-A – since last August. It’s been a year of having to be humbled to see that the nations include where my feet are: that Birmingham, Alabama is just as much a part of the nations as the other areas of the world. In this past year, I’ve experienced some serious pruning, worked through the messy parts of my testimony, dealt with sin (..fun!), and seen what it looks like to truly live in community and minister to those around you. I’ve experienced highs and lows, but mostly just the growing pains of the in-between.
With graduation approaching, I felt the pressure to figure out my next step. In a logical world, that next step would ideally be getting a job, duh. However, God has graciously been leading me in this season to basically say ttyl to the “real world” as I know it in America. Through Scripture + Spirit working in my thoughts, church sermons, friends, rejection (again, fun!), and lots and lots of prayers, I’m more confident than ever that God has a much different plan for my upcoming year. So, that brings me to now.
For 2017, the Lord is leading me to serve with Adventures in Missions on The World Race Expedition Route. The World Race is an 11-month Christian mission trip to 11 countries in the 10/40 window, where 98% of unreached people groups live. Through the World Race, my team and I will serve in partnership with churches and ministries in local communities to preach the Gospel, plant churches, work in orphanages, minister to women and children trapped in prostitution as a result of human trafficking, and bring the restorative hope of the Father’s love to many tribes and nations. I AM PUMPED, yall. And a little terrified. What I’m saying is, I’m well aware I can’t do this alone. I have to get on my knees every morning and admit that. In this season more than ever, I’m keenly aware of my need for a Savior and Lord.
And here’s what I believe God has graciously given me – you!
(If you’ve suffered through this long blog post, I like to think something drew you here. You may care about the Gospel getting taken to the nations, the World Race, me?! – maybe a little of it all or maybe you’re bored. No clue.)
ANYWAY. Currently, I’m in the process of building a team who will partner with me in both prayer and financial support for this incredible opportunity. I will face many challenges all throughout the World Race, but as I prepare for my departure, one of my greatest challenges is my financial support. In order to leave fully funded for January 2017, I need to raise $17,600 to cover all of my field expenses for the 11 months of the trip. If you’re into that, please check out the Donate! tab on my blog. If you would like to be a prayer partner, please Subscribe for Updates to receive my email updates both on the field and as I prepare these next few months. And feel free to contact me via my blog if you have any questions for me!
OK, guys. There you have it. Looking forward to this journey with you.
