I should begin my first blog post (ever) by thanking you. If you are reading this, there is a good chance it because I asked you for your partnership, your support. So, thank you for taking the time to look deeper into my journey. And now it seems like I should explain why I am doing what I am doing.
In considering the World Race as something I might do in my life, I have done some research. Since I have been considering it for about two years, the research stage has now become twice as long as the time I will actually spend on the Race. Therefore, I thought I should share some of the things I've been sorting through and some of the reasons I have decided to go.
In becoming a World Racer, I have signed up to be in full-time supported ministry on a mission trip around the world. I needed a better understanding of what this means.
1. Ministry. Timothy Keller defines Christian ministry as "taking your gifts and resources and meeting needs of people in Christ's name with them" (from a sermon called The Cost of Mission). The Bible is clear that all Christians are called to ministry and that we all have been given gifts so that we can give to others (1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4). This part is hard for me because I do not yet know what my gifts are. Too often I do not feel like I have anything to give. I know I must stop offering excuses, believe that I do have gifts, and start figuring out what they are. Perhaps the World Race can help me discover (or perhaps it will just force me to search a little harder).
2. Mission. Mission comes from the Latin word missio, which means "to go out" or "to be sent out". It does not necessarily mean "out to another country" or "to 11 different countries in 11 months" (but it could look like that, right?). I think mission simply requires us to step outside of ourselves. In the reality of our Almighty Creator, we begin to search for how we can serve, how we can put ourselves aside. And this is how we experience true joy. Not that it is easy. In fact, I think it requires sacrifice. Sacrifice of comfort, security, family, friends, status, reputation, income, resources, time, and much more. I have not heard or felt any specific calling of God to go on the World Race, but I know that I am choosing to do this under the hope that it will help my life become less about me and more about my Creator. It is exciting to me when I consider being made uncomfortable in so many ways – being immersed in new cultures, new food, not being clean, sleeping on the ground, living with strangers, never being alone, facing great poverty and injustices each day. God works through our weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:9) and our weaknesses are often revealed when we are uncomfortable. For me, I hope the World Race will be a unique way of developing my role in the mission to which God has called us all: to bring everyone to His love.
After sorting through what ministry and mission means and how it relates to the World Race, I still had thoughts that went something like this… but I could go to one country; do long-term mission work; with a Canadian organization; have a greater impact; with less cost; and my supporters would get tax deductions for their donations.
Here are some of the more personal and specific reasons I have chosen the World Race:
1. I am fascinated by our planet and in my experience, traveling is one of the best teachers. I am young and single and I want to see as much of the world as I can. I very much enjoy learning about how people live and why they live that way. Humans are so resilient, adaptive, creative, and resourceful. Spend time in 11 different countries in a year – yes, please!
2. I cannot seem to figure out what general area of culture I would like to commit to in my day-to-day work, nor where my gifts, talents, interest, or passions would be helpful to the human population. The World Race allows us to participate in many different kinds of service and ministry, and that resonates with me.
3. At some point, I have learned I just need to stop debating what is right or what is best, and just do something. I hate allowing the fear of choosing wrong stop me from making a choice. So I decided to step into the great unknown and trust that I will learn from the World Race, whether it turns out to be an amazing adventure or a difficult challenge (mostly likely, a little of both). My goal is to go out and just try to love people of every walk of life. God is big and is saving people all over the world, and I want to be a part of it. I want to witness and be a witness. There is really nothing better.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
“If anyone wants to be My follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me and the gospel will save it.” Mark 8:34-35
