When I tell people who are closest to me and the people who know me well that I am going on the World Race, I seem to get the same reaction. A look of surprise, nervousness, worry, and excitement come over their faces with a long list of questions…such as: What is the world race? For how long will you be out of the country? When are you leaving? Where are you going? How did you hear of it? Why do you want to do this?
I just want to let everyone know….that I reacted exactly the same way when I felt God calling me to go! But God was making it so clear to me that I was supposed to go on this race, that I couldn’t ignore it even if I tried….and believe me I tried!
So let me start with the first question:
What is the World Race and what will I be doing?
The World Race is a mission trip through an organization called Adventures in Missions. A team of about 40-60 people travel together to different countries to expand the Kingdom of God. On the field, my team and I will be partnering with churches and ministries in local communities to preach the Gospel, plant churches, work in orphanages, minister to women and children who are trapped in prostitution as a result of human trafficking, teach English, work on construction projects, and just show the love of God to people who never even heard of His name.
“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” –Psalm 82:3-4
How long will I be out of the country?
The World Race is 11 in 11. Meaning 11 countries in 11months.
When am I leaving?
I am leaving July 1, 2013 and I will return June 1, 2014.
Where am I going?
I will be going to Thailand, Turkey, Cambodia, Vietnam, India, Bulgaria, Nepal, South Africa, Zwaziland, Mozambique, and Romania.
How did I hear of the World Race?
Well, I do go to the World’s biggest Christian university…so missions trips are a pretty common thing. But I first heard of it last year from a girl who lived on my hall. She was fundraising for the race and told us all about what she would be doing. I thought it was a cool thing that she was going on this trip, but I honestly didn’t think twice about it because I knew I would never do anything like that because I was too scared to do something like that.
Then, this past November, my best friend calls me up to tell me about how she decided that she is going to go on the world race. Again, I thought it was awesome! And I was excited for her because it was totally something that she would do. But never did I think, "Oh cool! I want to go too!"
So that’s how I first heard about the world race.
Why did I apply to go on the world race?
I don’t think I’ll ever forget the nights I laid in my bed arguing with God. I was home on Thanksgiving break from school, and I think I cried just about every night in my bed because I knew He wanted me to go on the world race, but I didn’t want to go. Every night, I told him NO! because:
1.) I’m too scared to go on a mission trip because I know it’s something that I would not be able to control. There is no way for me to plan or prepare for the happenings that would/could happen on a mission trip.
2.) It’s 11 months long! I do not want to be away from my family and friends for that long! Too much can happen in a year!
3.) It doesn’t make sense for me to go now! I’m a junior in college…I only have 1 year left, so why not just finish!
4.) It’s too expensive to go on this trip…where am I going to get that kind of money to leave the country for 11 months!
5.) I told God that I just wasn’t made for going on a mission trip. I don’t know enough to preach the Gospel, I’m a shy person, and I only excel when I’m in my comfort zone, so stepping out of it just isn’t an option.
This went on for about 5 days, and for those 5 days I had a headache and I didn’t have much of an appetite. I tried to ignore God, and pretend like I didn’t hear Him. I thought if I just wait long enough, He’ll go away. WRONG!
So I laid in my bed the one night…. repeated the reasons why I shouldn’t go on the world race…. like He didn’t hear me before…and then God was like, “Are you done? Are you done making up all of these excuses? Are you ready to listen to me now?”
So I finally listened and He simply answered my 5 excuses like this:
1.) You’re scared because you have little trust and faith in me. You do not depend on me because of your pride. TRUST me. Have FAITH in me. I am bigger than any fear, any financial issue, any problem that you might have. Let go of your fear, and FOLLOW me.
2.) 11 months is not long. You will see your friends and family when you return.
3.) You’re in college. A time in your life where you are discovering who you are and where you want to go. I have a big plan for your life, but your not 100% sure of who I made you to be. This is the time to go!
4.) I am way bigger than $15,000! Work hard and have Faith!
5.) If you do not step out of your comfort zone…how are you going to grow? If you do not grow, how are you going to expand my Kingdom and do My work? Take your step out of your comfort zone now…or forever wonder what would have happened if you would have done so when I called!
That night I raised my white flag and surrendered. And when I finally did, a peace came over me. The next day I submitted an application. Then I started telling people the calling God put on my heart. I was very nervous to talk about it because I was still convincing myself that this was real and that this was happening.
Now as I go through the different steps of preparing for the race, already God is teaching me and growing me! And I get more and more excited about it. Sure, I'm still a little nervous, but my God is an awesome God and with Him all things are possible!
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." -Joshua 1:9
I would love for you to come with me on this journey! Visit my blog every once in awhile or subscribe to it so you can get emails every time I blog, so you can see what God is doing in my life and in the lives of others!
If you would like to help support me financially visit the “support me” link on the left hand side of this website or send me a message with your contact information, so that I can send you a support letter.
Prayers are as equally needed and appreciated! Please keep my squad and me in your prayers as we prepare for this journey.
Thank you so much!
