Dear Friends and Family, I’m excited to announce that starting in July 2015, I will be leaving for 11 months to travel to 11 different countries! Please read below to learn more about my trip and the organization I will be traveling and serving with! Please keep me in your prayers as I prepare for this amazing opportunity!
Here is a quick glimpse into The World Race and what life will be like for me beginning July 2015!
I am so excited to begin on this journey, and appreciate your support throughout it!!
What is The World Race?
The World Race is an 11 month, 11 country missions trip program based out of Adventures in Missions (AIM). Adventures is an inter-denominational organization that has sent out more than 100,000 people on missions trips since 1989. They have several different trips that vary by country and time on the field. The goal of AIM and the World Race is to minister to the least of these and bring the Gospel to every nation. [ www.adventures.org www.theworldrace.org ]
What will I be doing?
This can look different in each country, and even week to week. During the 11 months on the field, my team and I will be partnering with local ministries to assist with any of their needs. This could be anything from working in orphanages, assisting in hospitals/medical clinics to those with HIV, Fighting against sex-trafficking, Vacation Bible Schools, praying for healing over the sick, and building relationships in our local communities.
When am I leaving?
July 2015!
Who will I travel with?
Somewhere around 40/50 people will sign up for the route I am on; these people will be on my squad. We will all be going to the same countries at the same time, but not necessarily doing the same ministries. The squad will be broken down into teams of 6-7 people. Within the squad and team, we have team leaders and coaches who help lead us while we are on the field.
Where am I going?
These are the countries that are currently on my route: South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique, India, Nepal, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Please read below to learn more about these countries!
South Africa
While it’s been several decades since apartheid has formally ended, there’s still more healing and reconciliation to take place in South Africa. One of the wealthiest countries on the continent yet much of the population living outside the cities is poor. Like the rest of sub-Saharan Africa, this country struggles with a high rate of AIDS/HIV. Host to the 2010 World Cup and breathtaking natural attractions, it’s also a place full of kingdom potential, waiting to be released.
Swaziland
The Kingdom of Swaziland is one of the last remaining monarchies in Africa. Home to 1.1 million people and breathtaking scenic views, it’s also where the world’s highest HIV/AIDS infection rate lives (26.1% in adults and over 50% of adults in their 20s). It’s estimated that by 2050, Swaziland may cease to exist. Young orphans are scattered throughout this nation in desperate need of attention. For years, Adventures has been committed to seeing these statistics reversed. Here, I’ll most likely find myself involved in a variety of outreaches, including education, orphan care, care point feedings, and more.
Mozambique
One of the most beautiful countries in the African continent, Mozambique is a favorite location of World Racers for a variety of reasons: the people, the landscape, the ministry partnerships, the miracles that this country has seen, and more. The former Portuguese colony is seeing signs of redemption and economic recovery; because of, or in spite of, the extreme poverty gripping the nation, the church grows. I will be given the opportunity to teach, preach, and practice “true religion” with widows and orphans!
India
With nearly a sixth of the world’s population within its borders, India is a country bursting with people and culture. Home to a diverse array of beliefs from Hinduism to Islam, to a blend of folk religions and other faiths, it is a country of pluralism with twenty-nine languages spoken by over a million native speakers, multiple religions, cuisine, socio-economic classes, and political parties. India’s struggles with poverty and crimes of human trafficking, forced prostitution, religious persecution, and more.
Nepal
Home to Mount Everest, the world’s tallest mountain, Nepal literally sits on top of the world. In addition to adventurous experiences I will have here, I may also visit widows and orphans in their times of distress and protect the innocent who are prey to human traffickers. This month of the World Race experience will submerge me in a culture that is desperate for an encounter with the living God.
Vietnam
After nearly a century of French rule, in the mid-20th century, Vietnam was split into communist (north) and non-communist (south) halves. By 1975, Vietnam was made whole again, but as a communist country. Even with the economic reforms and restoration of diplomatic ties human rights are limited in Vietnam, especially freedom of religion; most of Vietnam is Buddhist, less than 10% is Catholic.
Cambodia
Cambodia houses one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Angkor Wat, a Hindu temple and monastery built during the Khmer empire in the 12th century. It later became a Buddhist complex a century later, and today, just over 96% of Cambodia is Buddhist. Almost 30 years ago, 1.5 million Cambodians died at the hands of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge regime. Today, Cambodia is a source, transit point, and destination of human trafficking. Unfortunately, the government is struggling to stop it. The people of Cambodia are thirsty for the hope of the Gospel!
Thailand
The kingdom of Thailand, known as Siam until 1939, is the only country in the region not colonized by Europe. Their 2000 census showed that 94.6% of the population is Buddhist, 4.6% are Muslim, and 0.7% are Christian. Approximately 600,000 people live with HIV/AIDS in Thailand. With nearly two million people estimated to be forced into prostitution, it has become one of the most popular places for sex tourism.
Guatemala
A country rich in history and natural resources – fertile soil from the volcanoes help yield excellent coffee – Guatemala is the perfect place to initiate your World Race experience. Outside of its aesthetic appeal, Guatemala needs God’s touch. Gripped by poverty and bound to a spirit of religion, the people of Guatemala hunger for the kingdom of God to pervade their lives.
Honduras
“Hondo” comes from the Spanish word for depth and there’s lots of depth to Honduras. It’s home to the Aztec and Mayan civilizations, whose ruins are still stand. Honduras is mostly mountainous and the weather’s as tropical as it gets. What really runs deep in Honduras are its needs. Honduras is the third poorest in the region, after Haiti and Nicaragua. Like her neighbors, Honduras has had her of share political/military troubles, e.g., the six-month constitutional crisis in 2009. There’s a need to reach out to the youth, not just to keep them out of trouble (e.g., gangs) but for them to know their worth and that they’re loved.
Nicaragua
This location is always a World Race favorite. It’s a country full of wonderfully warm and caring people, and participants always leave having had a powerful experience. However, hopelessness, addictions, destitution, and poverty still plague the many lives of Nicaragua. There are orphans who have grown up without knowing the love of a parent and families who get by each day by scrounging scraps from the city dump where they have made their homes. In Nicaragua, I’ll have the opportunity to bring God’s love through slum ministry, door-to-door outreach, outreach to children, and more.
Finally…
I am very excited about this once in a lifetime opportunity but I need your help! Please pray for me not only while I am on the trip itself, but as I prepare for this trip in the months to come! Please share this blog post with your friends and family and click on the “Follow Me” tab in the upper left hand corner of this page to get notifications whenever update my blog! For information on how to give financially to my trip, click on the “About Me” tab and scroll to the bottom!
Much Love,
Elizabeth
