Hey guys!
I want to devote this post to share more about what the World Race is and why I have decided to go.
The World Race is an 11-month mission trip that takes place in countries all over the world. Each month is spent in a different country, working with churches, ministries, and businesses. We will work in orphanages, schools, and so much more! WR is part of an organization called Adventures in Missions, which was first established in 1989. Since then, they have sent out over 107,000 people into the 70 countries around the world on different mission trips.
I first heard of the World Race when I was in high school. My sister was attending Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry in Redding at the time, and one of her roommates had done a Race previously, and then had an opportunity to lead a Race the year after. Just listening to her talk about her experience made my heart race, and I knew that one day I would go on a Race of my own.
After high school, I went straight to BSSM for three years, and while I still dreamt about a World Race during and after BSSM, I wanted to get a start on my Bachelor’s since I had a better idea of what I wanted to do in the future, and headed to community college and later UO.
So just two years into Uni and I’m leaving for another trip and taking more time off school?
The World Race is much different from BSSM in that much of my time in Redding was much more teaching based, and I attended school everyday, which was a lot more like going to bible school or church than being on a mission trip! I gained an incredible foundation there which I can use as a base for the rest of my life, and while we did do mission trips, they were short term and lasted about two weeks. WR is not a discipleship program, nor is it a school! We will be serving different ministries and businesses each month.
Just a short month ago, I got an email from WR with descriptions of August 2017 routes, and when I saw the 10/40 Expedition Route in my inbox, everything felt right to apply.
Yes, I will be delaying my education longer, sacrificing comfort, and time away from family and community, but I know that this is not a decision that I will regret, and am ecstatic to fulfill this dream of mine.
My route will go to eleven countries:
Spain, Morocco, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Cyprus, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, and China.
Why this trip?
I have a responsibility to do what I can to impact the world for better, to love the misunderstood, the unreached, and the forgotten. I have an incredible opportunity to be a part of something so much bigger than myself! I am not interested in religion, shallow traditions, preaching a self-help message or working on people as projects. I do have a deep conviction to build a deep and meaningful connection and relationship with God, and see his love transform people around the world. There has never been a better time, nor a greater need to help our neighbors, to actively seek out countries who are labeled as the unreached, the unworthy, the hopeless. My heart truly aches for these countries!
I have learned so much from traveling in the past on previous trips around the world, and couldn’t be more excited about a long term trip.
How can you get involved?
I do have a significant amount of fundraising to do for my trip. My first deadline of $5,000 of the almost $18,500 that I need to raise is coming up May 15th! This can be an overwhelming number, but nothing is impossible and believe that this is where I am supposed to be. I am asking you to consider supporting me on this journey by giving monthly or through a one time gift. My fundraising deadlines are below!
While this is going to be a wild adventure, it is going to be quite an adjustment, and I am going to be pushed way outside of my comfort zone! Which is amazing! I believe so strongly that family and community are some of the most important things to fight for in life, and I want to actively build relationship and connection with you while leading up to my trip, and as much as I can while I am on the Race. You have all been so loyal to me over my entire life, and I would not be who I am without your continual support and encouragement. It would be such an honor if you would consider partnering with me in prayer leading up to the trip, and while I am abroad! I really do need all of the support that I can get! I will be sending out prayer cards, and specific prayer requests soon, so stay tuned for that as I would love to send you an email to join my prayer support partners if you are interested.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any questions or comments, prayer requests, or just to say hello!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read about where I am heading next!
Emily
Fundraising Deadlines:
$5,000 – Due 5/15/2017 (Fundraising Goal 1)
$10,000 – Due 7/21/2017 (Fundraising Goal 2)
$13,000 – Due 9/30/2017 (Fundraising Goal 3)
$18, 617 – Due 11/30/2017 (Fundraising Goal 4)
(These funds are going towards food, travel, lodging, medical, and training expenses while on the Race)
