I have an exciting update for everyone that is following my race. As you know, I was planning on leaving for the World Race in less than two months and returning in late July of next year, but as of now I have opted to switch routes and leave early January 2016.
So, why the switch?
Well that’s a very good question. I like to plan, so for me to make a big change like this takes a lot. However, I’m also curious. One day in early June I was looking through the World Race website and researching other routes just for fun to see what other countries people were going to. That is when I stumbled on the Expedition Route. The World Race Expedition route is a brand new route going into 8 countries the World Race has never been to before. Its focus is on the most unreached countries in the world and the description called it “intentionally challenging and physically demanding” requiring “high level of physical endurance, adaptability, leadership, and spiritual maturity”. If you know me those are the kind of buzz words that really catch my attention. Immediately I started dreaming of what this could be like more me, but I was quickly brought back to reality when I remembered I’m leaving in September. Well, just for fun, I decided to text my mom to see what her thoughts would be about the hypothetical situation of me leaving in January. She didn’t hate the idea, so I decided to push a little harder. I started asking some of my friends what they thought and sent them the description of the new route. I expected to get mixed reviews ultimately leading me to stick with my original plan. What I got was an overwhelming affirmation that this route fit me perfectly. This happened very fast, and I was a little overwhelmed with all the support. So I decided to keep researching and getting advice from friends and family. Finally, I decided to ask my boss if it would be possible for me to stay on through December. This was a big step for me, because I didn’t want to just be sitting around for 4 months waiting to leave. When he told me it would be great for me to stay on, I knew that this new route had become a legitimate and viable option for me. From there I really just took it to the Lord and told Him that if this is what He wanted for me to keep opening doors. A week later, I applied for the expedition route (I had to go through the whole application process again because of the new route’s more extensive requirements). 10 days later I was offered a spot and I accepted right then and there.
Needless to say this has all been a whirlwind for me, but I have felt a great peace and calm about the whole process. I never would have made a switch like this without feeling 100% like the Lord was behind this decision. So just like every other part of this experience, I’m continuing to bet it all on Him. Thank you for your continued support of me throughout this whole process and please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I prepare for this new journey.
Please feel free to reach out to me if you want to know more about any of this but these are a couple of FAQs I have been getting about the switch. Hope they help!
1. Are you still going to be gone 11 months?
Yes, however I am going to a whole new slate of countries (still spending a month in each one): Morocco, Tunisia, India, China: Tibet, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Turkey, Nepal, Indonesia, and Bangladesh.
2. What will you be doing until January?
Much of the same as I am doing now. I will continue to work at my job at Modine Manufacturing as a process engineer and be living in Salem, Va. If you live in Richmond or Blacksburg, I’m sure you’ll see me a fair amount on weekends.
3. What changes have been made to support raising?
Any money donated to me before the switch has been transferred to my new route. My deadlines, like everything else, have all been pushed back four months, so my final financial deadline is now April 30, 2016; however my personal goal is still to have all my funds ($17,562) in before I leave in January.
4. Where I can I find out more about this new route?
http://worldrace.org/?tab=routes&subtab=january-2016-exp
