It’s a pretty legitimate question right, “Why the World Race?”…well let me give the simple answer….because GOD has called me! Who am I to turn from him and tell him ‘No, not me Lord’? I have no clue what this 11 month journey will bring but I know the Lord has big plans for me.
I first heard about the World Race from my bible study leader my senior year of college. He knew a girl going and was helping her raise support, and as soon as he told me about it I had to go Google it! It sounded incredible! At this point I was already planning on applying to teach English in Korea, and when I prayed about it I felt God telling me to go through with my Korea plans. Of course when I came to Korea half of the members in my small English church had done the World Race before …I couldn’t believe it. Now, after 7 months of teaching (5 more great months to go) I knew the time was right to apply for the January route! I’ve been learning over the last couple years to not worry so much about the timing of things in life because He has a better plan than I could ever make.
Now I am officially signed up for the January 2014 Route #4. Nearly two years after hearing about this mission trip it will become a reality. I am sure I am going into the race with a different story than most of my fellow ‘racers’.
Am I doing this to see the world?? Not really. Those of you who know me well know I have been very blessed to travel as a lot. In fact I have already been to 7 of the 11 countries we will go to.
Am I doing this to change and break away from my current boring 9-5 life?? Heck no. I live in South Korea and teach English to a great group of elementary students that love me to death. I get to travel Asia on my vacations and have some great friends in this country.
Am I doing this to step away from my situation in America?? Absolutely not. I have the best family and friends anyone could ask for. I would love nothing more than to spend 2014 with them.
So why am I devoting almost all of 2014 to this challenging and extreme mission trip?
- Because for 11 months I will get to live and be with people who by worldly standards may not have much, to tell them that through Jesus they can have everything.
- Because Christ told us to make disciples of all nations.
- Because how will they know the truth unless we go and tell them?
- Because people all over the world need to be LOVED.
This journey will be about relationships. The relationships I make with people in each and every country I am in. The relationships of my squad members, who will be there every step of the way. And the most important relationship of all, my relationship with my Lord. This experience will be a chance to continually grow closer to him on a daily basis, and continue to try and become the man he has plans for me to be.
Yes there will be challenges and sacrifices. I have no clue how I am going to raise the financial support needed to make it possible. I will miss my friends and family so so much. I have to be single for the next 19 months. There will be physical pains and emotional challenges throughout the 11 months. Some days will be filled with fear, doubt and uncertainty…but I am placing all of this before the Lord because he is greater than anything that can stand in me way.
So back to the original question, ‘Why the World Race?'
To try and be the change I want to see in the world.
To use my experience travelling and living abroad to help out my squad throughout the trip.
Ultimately, it’s to tell as many people around the World about Jesus Christ.
I know I won’t be the same after these 11 months, and hopefully the places we travel to and people we meet will never be the same after we visit.
