A year ago I was in Nepal, or flying to Nepal. A few weeks from this day last year I would be having surgery in Kathmandu. I didn’t vow to never go back but I certainly wasn’t dying to get back into the country that just about killed me. But yet back in December I decided to apply for the race and admittedly I did choose a route that didn’t have Nepal on it purposefully. I wasn’t thrilled at the idea of being back in the same house or being remembered as the “girl who was in the hospital.” But the Lord had other plans and I ended up being on a route that brings me right on back to Nepal.
Now Nepal doesn’t make my skin crawl or anything, regardless of the Jose the cockroach that awaits me (a very VERY large roach crawled into my sleeping bag and my roommates named it Jose). I just wonder why draw me back to a place filled with lots of tears and less than enjoyable hospital visits. But yet here I am, preparing to go to training camp in four days. To prepare to go back.
Now I’m kind of drawing it out like I’ll be spending the year in Nepal, and in reality, I’ll only be there for a month or so. But I do imagine the Lord is pulling me back to Nepal for a reason unbeknownst to me. My squadmates used to joke with me that I was going to change lives in Nepal and Satan couldn’t allow that, so that’s why I had to be bedridden. Because I was going to spread kingdom like wildfire and that the Lord was going to use me in ways I couldn’t fathom. Maybe that was true or maybe the Lord brought me across the world so He and I could have some guaranteed one on one time. But regardless this time I’ll be going back to Nepal without an appendix and tons of vitamin C. So Satan try me!!! No more organs to steal from me!!
But in all sincerity please be praying for my health as I embark onto training camp and onto the race. I would much rather get a stick and poke in Swaziland than new surgical scars!
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I leave for training camp in four days! Here’s some information about training camp and fundraising:
What’s training camp?
Training camp is hosted at Adventures in Missions headquarters in Gainesville, GA. Here I will meet my squad (which is 50 college aged students from around the country) and other squads that are shipping out in September as well. We will learn more about AIM and their mission, as well as prepare our hearts, bodies, and minds for the race.
Where will I stay during training camp and how long is it?
I will be pitching a tent every night and sleeping outside amongst the other racers! Training camp is from July 10 – July 20.
But Emily, you’ll have your phone, right? A laptop at least?!
Nope, I will be radio silence for the 10 days of training camp. If you need me, I’ll check my phone/emails on July 20th.
So how’s fundraising going?
I am just under 50% funded! I am in need of $8,441 to fulfill the total amount of $15,800. There is still time to give! Or better yet, if you have babysitting, dog sitting, car washing, any odd job type of need. I am more than happy and willing to work for donations! I would love to be fully funded prior to my leaving in early September. Please be praying that the funds would make their way to me!
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Interested in supporting me for the World Race?
You can mail checks in to:
Memo Line “Emily Olsen”
Adventures In Missions P.O. Box 742570
Atlanta, GA 30374-2570
Or you can give online, click on the donate button at the top of the page!
