Hey there! I’m Drew Clement. I am 18 years old. I am going on the Africa World Race trip! We will be traveling to 3 countries: South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Zambia.
My journey to being accepted on the trip began early this year. I had never considered doing missionary work before. I loved the opportunities my family has had to serve God in an international context, but I knew there is much work to do here, in the United States. As I’ve been growing spiritually, the passages of scripture telling of the life Jesus lived, and what He has called us to have been very convicting. The difference between what Jesus said a follower of Him looked like, and what I was living was vastly different. I am lukewarm and unintentional. Jesus calls us to live boldly, faithfully, and intentionally serving Christ with every moment of our life. As I was learning these things, every verse speaking of God’s desire for the nations, living exclusively for Him, and going and making disciples jumped out at me. They were so consistent and prominent in my studying of scripture. My heart began to ache for those who do not know Christ in a way it never had before. It was the process in which God was molding my heart for mission work. I started praying, and God placed a very strong desire in me for Africa. The word Africa was stuck in my head. Africa, Africa, Africa. I started hearing others talk about Africa constantly. I began researching the needs in Africa, and hearing about the need in East Africa strongly stood out to me. I went from not even considering the possibility of mission work, to feeling very strongly God’s plan for me is to reach the lost in East Africa in a relatively short amount of time. It was incredible.
I am homeschool, and thus my education has looked a little different than most. I have been ahead in my school for several years, and have the opportunity to graduate in December of this year. As a result, I started praying and asking God what He would have me do next semester. I was considering just staying home and doing online college, but I also wanted to look into doing an internship or semester-long mission trip. That’s when I came across The World Race Semesters. One of the pastors at one of my churches multi-sites has been on the 11-month World Race, and he highly encouraged me to pursue the Africa Semesters Trip. Unfortunately, the trip was full. However, despite the Africa mission trip being full, I believed God still wanted me to apply for the World Race Semesters. I applied, was accepted, and was put on the Thailand and Cambodia team. I kept praying that, if it was God’s will, I would be put on the Africa team. A few weeks later, my Admissions Advise contacted me and informed me that a member of the Africa team felt God was calling her to switch to the Thailand and Cambodia team, which opened up a spot on the Africa team. I was completely willing to go to Thailand and Cambodia if that’s where God wanted me. But I am so thankful God worked this out. It was amazing how God changed the heart of someone, and is now going to use them in Thailand and Cambodia, and me in Africa!
That brings me to today. I am so excited about this opportunity to serve God in an international context where I can serve Him. I know God is going to transform my life through this experience, but that is not why I’m excited. I’m excited to give. To give and serve others as Jesus did. I ask that you pray that I will keep my mind focused on God, unwavering. Pray for humility, and not I will have no selfish intent while on this mission. I am praying for eyes that only seek to give, not to receive. We are the vessel for the love of Christ to pour into others, and I do not want to change or manipulate that love as God is speaking through me to others. If I am seen on this trip than I have failed. Christ alone is worthy of praise. He has given, not so that I will keep, but so that I might give as well. For the Glory of our King!
