What is the world race? Why do you want to do it?
Despite the name, the world race isn’t a race at all.
The World Race is a stretching journey into 11 countries in 11 months to serve “the least of these” while amongst real and raw community. This unique mission trip is a challenging adventure for young adults (21-35) to abandon worldly possessions and a traditional lifestyle in exchange for an understanding that it’s not about you; it’s about the Kingdom.
For 11 months, beginning January 2017, I will serve in 11 different countries. I couldn’t be more excited! Honestly, I don’t think I have been this excited about anything!
When I first heard about the world race, I thought it was a bit too extreme. Months ago, I received a Brave by Faith brochure. Brave by Faith is a movement/community that empowers individuals who are interested in doing volunteer outreach programs or missions across the world. Months later, I actually read the brochure and explored the various missions opportunities listed. Like I said, initially I thought the world race was too extreme. I was looking for something a little less long-term. Although I felt this way, I still searched the world race website. As I learned more about the race and read a countless number of blogs of racers, I became obsessed.
In late August, I decided that the world race was something I definitely wanted to do. I was officially accepted February 16, 2016. Since then, I have had so much peace about my decision. I believe that God gave me the desire to go, and I am willing to leave every comfort I know to spread His love.
Where are you going? What will you do while there?
As of now, I will be going to Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Rwanda, Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, Uganda, Ethiopia, Malaysia, and Thailand. I do not know every detail of what ministry will look like in each country, and I may not know until I arrive at the ministry site. I do know that ministry/serving in each country could mean a variety of things. One day I could be helping build a school, praying for a community, or working with orphans among other things.
Are you not afraid?
Of course I have fears. Prior to being accepted, I was afraid that my application would be rejected. Now that I have been accepted, I am afraid of leaving my family for 11 months. If you know me, you know I never venture far from home. I am afraid that I will go all the way across the world, only to come back home before my 11 months are finished because of fear. Again, if you know me …
I am afraid that I won’t raise the money in time to go. I am afraid that bugs will get in my hair and will decide to live there. (I won’t have my flat iron. So my hair will be gigantic … making it a happy home for foreign creatures … lol … but seriously this is something I’ve thought about.) Despite the fears listed, as well as the ones not listed, I am deciding to be brave by faith.
What are you expecting to achieve/gain from this experience?
Each blog I’ve read regarding what to expect during the world race has offered its readers the same advice. Each blog encouraged future racers to let go of every expectation except the expectation to be changed and stretched by God. I am expecting just that. I expect to be stretched outside of my comfort zone (I am being stretched now. Blogging aka sharing my thoughts with others and fundraising are totally outside of my comfort zone.) I expect to be used by God in ways that I could have never imaged. Ultimately, I expect for these next 21 months to be the most amazing, uncomfortable, trying, and adventurous months of my life.
Fundraising? How can I help?
In order to go, I must fundraise $16,617. The funds will cover the costs for the 11 month trip. This includes meals, lodging, air, land and sea travel, administrative costs, set up costs, coaching costs, and training camp costs. Why fundraise?
Fundraising is a part of the journey and is ministry just like feeding orphans, preaching in churches, and visiting hospitals… It’s time we changed our thinking about fundraising. It’s no longer about finding and getting the money to pay for your airplane tickets. Fundraising is about connecting the entire Body of Christ to minister in every nation. As the one who is going on this trip, I am responsible for proclaiming God’s good works to those who are investing their prayers, time, and money in sending me out. I am building a network of people who are doing ministry with me and Adventures in Missions. We ask people to support us because we want to invite them to be a part of the ministry. Fundraising is about the body of Christ joining together to see God’s Kingdom come.
So, for the next 10 months I will be preparing to go by doing various fundraising activities. Please be on the lookout for those. Your support is greatly appreciated. If you would simply like to donate, you may do so by clicking the Support Me! link above or to the left or by mailing a check to adventures in missions. Instructions on how to do so and what to include can be found by clicking the Support Me! link to the left. (If you are viewing this page on a mobile device, be sure to sure to click the three horizontal lines above to access these links.)
Also, I will be spiritually preparing to go. Please keep me as well as my squad mates and other racers in your prayers. Thank you for reading. Again, I really appreciate your support. Please be sure to subscribe for updates by clicking Subscribe for Updates link above or the Follow Me link to the left. Comments are welcome below.
For more information about the world race or adventures in missions, be sure to visit www.worldrace.org or www.adventures.org.
*Italicized words were taken directly from www.worldrace.org
