Dear friends and family,
As most of you know my name is Clara Kidney, and I am a recent graduate from Johns Creek High School. As graduation day came near, in rushed the (what felt like) thousands of question of “Where are you going to college?”, “What sororities are you going to rush?”, and my personal favorite “What do you want to be when you grow up?”. And with these questions came many unclear responses from me. I thought I knew what I wanted, but as the time for me to choose a college drew to a close, I had a gut feeling that God was calling me elsewhere. Praise be to him because in March of this year one of my good friends told me about a program that was specifically designed for young adults like me who have a heart for missions and a desire to spread God’s kingdom across the globe. This is where my journey begins.
The World Race Gap Year is a program that will for 9 months take me to Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Ethiopia, Nepal, and The Philippines for the sole purpose of serving and spreading the Gospel. In these countries I will be working with orphans, teaching English, running vacation bible school, ministering to rescued sex slaves, and doing all that I can to help bring the light into their homes. I have chosen this path not to bring glory to myself but to truly help heal and change the lives of the people of these countries. I truly do not want to sound like a naive “fruitcake” Christian. I understand the cultural barriers that will be between these people and me. I understand that simply going to these places and trying to spread God’s love may not immediately change the hearts of these people, but in Matthew 10 Jesus speaks to his disciples and calls them to go out and spread his word across the land “As you go, proclaim this message: ‘ The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.” Although I may not be able to change the lives of all I meet, I will spread God’s word as we are called to do, I will comfort and love women and children that may have never been given affection, I will grow in my faith through these experiences, and most importantly I will lead these people one step closer into a relationship with Christ whether that be baptizing them or simply telling them their first bible story.
I appreciate you for even reading this blog, you’re interest in my journey means the world to me. Please consider helping me reach my fundraising goals. Your donations of $10 $20 $50 $100 will not only partner you to my journey, but it will also support an amazing organization that has changed the lives of so many all around the world. If you can’t financially contribute at the time know that your prayers and continued interest and subscription to my blog will serve as encouragement to me and all of my fellow racers. Thank you again.
With love,
Clara Kidney
