Hello everyone!
Wow has life been busy!
I am sorry this blog has taken me so long to write!
First I want to give you a little life update before I get to the information you’ve all been patiently waiting to hear, well see…
I am currently writing this blog in my parent’s living room, sitting on a couch, looking at my tent!! It is the only consistent room I will have during my 11 months on the World Race so I am very excited about it!! I researched and researched tents for so long and kept going back to the one I got and I am very pleased with it now that I have it! I will tell you more about some of my gear in a future blog, I’ve got to get to the good stuff in this one!
But first!
One more update that will most likely be explained in more detail at a later date as well. I am leaving my full-time job for two part-time jobs! This will allow me more flexibility with my time, give me more freedom to prepare for the World Race and lighten my stress load immensely! This is a completely God ordained transition but I am so happy He allowed this all to line up the way that He did!
Anyway!!!!
Now onto the moment you have all been waiting for… My route!!!
My route for the World Race is January 2019 Route 3!
The countries in this route are Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, India, Nepal, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Romania, and Ukraine!
I am not going to lie, I am going to cheat a little here and give you the information the World Race gives out about each country for the sake of this blog, I have made some minor changes though.
More information about each country will be shared later, most likely when I am in country.
From the Andes Mountains to the Caribbean coastline and the Amazon rainforest, Colombia is one of the most ecologically diverse countries in the world. It is also home to unreached tribes, a large student population rapidly rejecting the Gospel, and thousands of children living on the streets. Colombia sits at the crossroads of Central and South America, making its culture almost as diverse as its natural resources. The nation is also heavily influenced by Native American, Latin, European, African, Middle Eastern, and American cultures.
Named after the Spanish word for “Equator”, Ecuador is full of natural beauty. From the Amazon River to Andean glacial volcanoes, this country—and its people—are captivating. Quito, is the highest capital city in the world, at over 9,300 feet above sea level. Its views are breathtaking. Although prosperous on the whole, certain regions of Ecuador continue to struggle. With more than half of the population at or below the poverty line, Ecuador is a country waiting for God’s Kingdom to come.
From the breathtaking Andes mountains and vast coastal deserts to the lush, tropical rainforests of the Amazon Jungle, Peru is one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth. The birthplace of several proud, ancient civilizations, present day Peru is home to multiple indigenous groups who blend into a unique and beautiful culture. Sadly, the people of Peru struggle with extreme poverty and class inequality. Government corruption hinders economic development, and many people face problems like teenage pregnancy, substance abuse, and crime.
With nearly a sixth of the world’s population, India is home to 29 languages, the religious practices of Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and tribal religions, some of the spiciest food on the planet, and a highly segregated rich and poor class. Thanks to the ancient caste system, crimes of social injustice, discrimination, forced prostitution, and human trafficking occur daily. Baby girls are often killed and abandoned, simply because of the financial burden on their families. Lepers are treated as untouchables, and the poorest of the poor live in slums.
Home to Mount Everest, the world’s tallest mountain, Nepal literally sits on top of the world. In addition to adventurous experiences had here, World Racers also may visit widows and orphans in their times of distress and protect the innocent who are prey to human traffickers. This month of the World Race experience will submerges racers in a culture that is desperate for an encounter with the living God.
Still hurting from the horrific genocide of 1994, Rwanda searches for healing. Originally home to three tribes, the Twa (known as pygmies), Hutus, and the Tutsis, Rwanda’s history of ethnic tension is long. In 1994 over 800,000 Tutsis were killed and two million Rwandans were displaced. Barely two decades later, the memory is still too fresh. While 38% of the population is Christian, it seems the Christian God is synonymous with the traditional Rwandan god, Imana.
Once a kingdom and British protectorate, for most of the later half of the 20th century, Uganda was under military rule, first under Idi Amin, the subject of the film The Last King of Scotland. Much of northern Uganda was also troubled by the Lord’s Resistance Army, which heavily recruited child soldiers. Referred to as the Pearl of Africa, Uganda is diverse in topography and wildlife. Racers may find themselves in the north partnering with ministries that are bringing still-needed healing and reconciliation or in the south working with churches to evangelize and disciple the next generation of Kingdom workers.
Who hasn’t heard of Kenya in their lifetime? The Kenyan people are colorful, musical, artistic and hungry for the love of Christ. The Maasai bush, the Nairobi metropolis, and the Kibera slums comprise a country diverse yet unified in history. As a new era dawns in Kenya, so does the gospel of truth and faith. By meeting felt needs in the bush and the city, participants help bear lasting fruit with current ministry partnerships (ministries like evangelism, orphan care, and community development), and build foundations of future partnerships.
Located in the Horn of Africa, Middle Eastern and African tribal influences touch every corner of Ethiopia. The birthplace of coffee, literary and archaeological discoveries date back to Bible times. The Orthodox Church even claims to have the Ark of the Covenant. It’s also a nation well acquainted with pain. In the last century, civil wars and famine devastated the land. Those in rural villages remain isolated, without clean water or access to markets, and the country’s ability to provide basic services is strained.
The lore of Dracula brings thousands to explore the history and beauty of Romania, from its castles to the idyllic countryside dotted with horse drawn buggies and endless herds of sheep. Formerly part of the Soviet Union, Romania is quickly rising out of the impoverished state leftover from that era. Still, economic growth is an impossible dream for many orphans and widows, who struggle to for food and hope for the future.
Formerly the second largest economy in the Soviet union, Ukraine now struggles with poverty. The orphan population is growing and human trafficking is as well. With the Caucasus mountains, its crumbling castles, and the Black Sea, it’s a popular destination for European tourists. It’s estimated that 75% of the population believes in God, but only 37% attend any kind of service regularly. Caught between the East and the West, the past and the future, the people of Ukraine need to know God sees and loves them.
I am so excited about this route and I am feeling so much love for each country already! I will hopefully write more blogs to share some of the information I have researched about each country as well. With my job transitions I will have more freedom to keep you all in the loop more and share more information more often!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this blog! If you have any thoughts you would like to share about any of the countries comment below!
God Bless!
