As you likely already know, I’m doing a little thing called the World Race. I’ve explained a bit about what that is, but I haven’t really gone into any details yet. Maybe you’ve already supported me financially, maybe you’ve been creeping my trip’s Facebook page, or maybe you just stumbled across this blog from some random corner of the internet. However it is that you ended up here, I’m about to tell you all about the World Race!
The World Race is a program run by the organization Adventures in Missions (more commonly known as ‘Adventures’ or ‘AIM’). It’s a Christian missions trip and discipleship training program that takes participants, or ‘racers,’ to 11 different countries over the course of 11 months. We leave behind our jobs, friends and families, and comfortable Western lives. We carry all our possessions in our packs. Bucket showers, unwelcome insects and sketchy accommodations are common. There’s long travel days. There’s getting sick and not having the healthcare we’re used to. There’s a risk of life changing injury or illness. There’s also a high likelihood of self discovery, God discovery, friend making, unchecked sobbing and unstoppable belly-laughs. We get to spend almost an entire year serving the people of the communities we call home each month, deepening our relationships with the Father and becoming more like family than friends with our squad.
Each squad is made up of 30-50 people on average. My squad is currently pretty small at 34 racers, and I don’t suspect it will get much bigger. I can’t wait to do life with them for a year! I’m blessed to have already gotten to know some of them a bit online, but meeting them all face to face will be such an awesome moment! At the beginning, squads are identified by what route they’re going on and when they leave, which is January 2019 route 1 for me. However, they’re eventually identified by a letter and get a squad colour. Go Q Squad! Woohoo!
My squad is going to Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand, Botswana, Swaziland, Lesotho and South Africa. Every route is different though. The World Race has sent missionaries to over 80 countries since its first squad launched, so the options are almost endless! The routes are also subject to change at any time. The team at Adventures keeps a close eye on what’s happening in each of those countries so if there’s a crisis, they’ll change the destinations. That could mean not going to a country on our current list because it’s become too dangerous. That could also mean going to a different country to help with relief efforts after a natural disaster or something similar.
Sounds amazing, right?! “I was thinking more like reckless, dangerous, difficult or ill advised, actually,” you might be thinking to yourself. Well, you’re not exactly wrong. There are definite risks involved. What if my stuff gets lost or stolen? What if I get hurt or really sick? What if something happens at home and I can’t be there? What if, what if, what if? But you know, all of those ‘what ifs’ fade into the background whenever I think about the reasons I should go. For one, I’ve never felt this at peace about anything I’ve ever done. In my whole life. Beyond that, though, is the need to share the love and peace I’ve been blessed with with people who need it. The Bible tells us to go and make disciples. To love others. To feed the hungry, clothe the naked, care for the sick and imprisoned. It feels a bit foolish to try and do anything else. It’s not going to be easy. It’s not a vacation. There’s a lot of things it’s not, but if there’s one thing it is, it’s worth it.
As certain as I am that this is what I’m supposed to be doing, there are obstacles to overcome before I even leave. There’s a fitness test at training camp I have to prepare for. I have to prepare myself spiritually and emotionally for the challenges one inevitably faces on the field. There’s gear to buy, things to get in order, and time with friends and family to cherish. Then, of course, fundraising. My goal is $18,200 USD which covers food, accommodations, travel, insurance, all the necessities. I don’t need the total amount until my fourth month on the field, but there are deadlines to meet along the way. My first one, $5,000, is at the end of September. One of my biggest personal struggles is my need to hold onto my money unless I HAVE to spend it. That desire for security and control is holding me back from pursuing this with total faith and trust, so I’m surrendering it. I’m putting everything I’m making at my second job towards this trip. However, as you can see at the top of this page, I still have a ways to go to reach that first goal. If I don’t meet those goals I don’t go on the Race, so if you would like to help me pursue this call that God has placed on my heart, please consider donating. If you can’t support me financially, just sharing this post can help me more than you know. If you would like to partner with me financially, you can contact me directly for details or visit the bottom of my About Me section.
A huge shout out to the people who helped me get this far already! Also, please note that if you use the Donate button on my blog you won’t get a Canadian tax receipt!
