*UPDATES UPDATES UPDATES*
*Please read all the way to the end of this blog to read about updates on my route, fundraising, and training camp!*
Once upon a time, there was a 16-year old girl named Emily. She went to a church called Evangel with her family. One Sunday, the pastor announced that there was an opportunity to go on a mission trip to India. The trip would be for ten days in a small village to build a kitchen and dining room for a girl’s home run by missionaries. Her mom leaned over and whispered to her dad “Emily is going on that trip.” And then Emily leaned over to her mom and said “I’m going on that trip.” God knew what He was doing.
On October 26, 2008, I went to India for the first time. Long story short, I loved every minute of it and swore I would return one day.
For four years I went to school and worked and waited and hoped my dream to return would come true.
On January 2, 2013, I went to India for the second time. This trip was two months long and involved a lot more travel in the country itself. I visited Kolkata, Chennai, Ooty, Coimbatore, Rupaidiha, Lucknow and other cities. I was able to stay with the missionaries that I had stayed with on my first trip. The girls I met on the first trip had grown so much and seeing them using the kitchen and dining room our group had helped build 4 years ago was incredible. Needless to say, my love for the country only grew.
Leaving India at the end of those two months was incredibly difficult. I had no idea if I would ever return. I hoped and prayed that I would, as one day I would love to live there. If you know me, you have probably heard me tell you that that is my dream.
Today, I learned I will officially be returning to India.
On January 7, 2017, I will return to India for the third time. India is the first country we will visit on the World Race.
Ages 16, 21, and now 24. Roughly every 4 years I have had the opportunity to go to India. I never could have imagined that this is where God would take me; starting all the way from that pew at Evangel in 2008 with the desire to travel to India on my first mission trip.
India is my favorite place in the world. They say home is where your heart is. India is my home. India is where I hope to live one day. If God has other plans for my future, I hope I can still continue visiting at least every 4 years.
*UPDATES UPDATES UPDATES*
As you may or may not have known, there are four different World Race routes launching in January. Each route goes to different countries with some overlap but in different orders. I signed up for Route 3 which goes to India, Nepal, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Albania, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, and South Africa.
Each Route has 55 people that will travel to each of the different countries together but then be broken up into smaller groups to do ministry work. Route 3 was a very popular route that had almost 80 people signed up for it. They told me that I was on the wait list for the route and may be moved to a different route because of the high number of racers. I chose Route 3 because of the specific countries. India, well, of course I wanted to go back. I have many friends to visit in Nepal. I support a child in Swaziland and hope to meet her. I support missionaries in Cambodia through prayer. Hearing that I may not be able to do any of that was a bit sad to hear. But I know God told me not to worry. Which I definitely disobeyed. How could I not worry when I may not be able to do any of those things?? I was accepted onto the Race in June and only today did I find out that I am officially on the Route that I signed up for and do not have to switch to another route. Three long months of not being sure which countries I would be going to has been very stressful. But it also grew my faith. God told me not to worry. He didn’t say that I would necessarily be on the Route I wanted, but if I was going to be, then He would take care of it. And He did. India here I come.
For fundraising, I currently have just over $8,000!! Huge thank you to all of my supporters. It is incredible to see how God touches people and blesses me by using my friends to support me on this trip. I truly thank all of you. I need $10,000 before the end of December which seems to be very achievable! I do hope to be fully funded with the entire $17,000 before I leave on January 7th though! I know God can move mountains. And as usual, He tells me not to worry.
For training camp…well it’s coming up very quickly! Training camp is where all of the racers from all four routes meet in Georgia to get a taste of what the Race will be like. For ten days we will live in a tent and go through different scenarios that will simulate the Race. I’ll be heading down there on October 19th!
Thank you friends and family for sticking with me during all of this time. I am getting more excited every day! I hope you are excited for me as I can’t wait to share this adventure with all of you when it begins officially in January. Much love to all of you.
