I first heard the World Race mentioned a year ago by a girl in my Environmental Ethics class. Funny enough, I never thought anything of it, and continued on in my life, being occupied with my relationship at the time, finding a good internship, getting A’s, and finally finding a good church to settle down in. I had planned out my life exactly how I wanted it to go, and although the idea of missions had always been tempting, I stuck to local ministries so that I wouldn’t stray to far from my agenda, and still be able to spread the word of God like I had wanted to.
As time went on, that itch to go on missions became stronger and stronger to the point that settling down into a job after college didn’t seem like enough anymore, and neither did my relationship. However, instead of voicing any of this, I continued on with my agenda, praying for the opportunity to go on a missions trip.
In the beginning of this year, my family finally left a church that we had been involved with for a long time, and we started going to a church that opened our eyes to just how important spreading Christ’s love was. A short time after this, my relationship ended. Although I was caught up in the whirlwind of everything that was changing, I couldn’t mistake the calling of the Lord to go on this trip around the world to spread His love to everyone. By this time, I kept hearing more and more people talk about this World Race, and soon I found myself going through the website daydreaming about traveling to Thailand, and Vietnam, and Greece, and all of these places that were listed in these different routes. But I told myself that it was just a fantasy, and that I would never have enough money to go “globe trotting” as it were. I told myself that it was impractical, and that I should remember that I was supposed to settle into a steady job after school. My whole life I had played it safe, and only took very minimal risks if any at all. However, I just couldn’t shake this idea of the World Race. I could not let it go. I kept learning more and more about people’s stories on the Race, and their testimonies. I found myself looking at World Race packing lists and fundraising ideas. I continuously prayed for a sign from the Lord that this was meant to be.
One day, I got that sign. I was zoning out during a sermon one Sunday, until I was called back into focus when I heard my pastor shouting “It is our duty as Christians to spread the Word of God!” I tried to tell myself that it was just a coincidence that my pastor chose that day of all days to preach on missions, but I suddenly felt a warmth of happiness rush over me, and I knew that the Lord had called me for this mission. So I went home, and after consulting my ten year old brother (who told me that I should go because Asians are nice), I applied for the World Race, and was accepted a few weeks later. And now here I am, on my couch, praising the Lord for all of the beautiful change that He has brought to me in these past few months. I’m learning more and more that no matter where I am placed in life, God has put me there for His will and purpose, and I have grown to rejoice in it. I am also so thankful to God for all of the generosity and support from my friends and family. Although getting to my goal of $17,000 will be a long journey, I know that the Lord provides, and I can’t wait to see what He has planned for me in these next few years.
