I have had dreams of this day. The day that I would have my very own World Race blog… which might sound silly to most everyone reading this. But it’s true! I have hoped and prayed for all of the events that have happened over the last week and a half.
I was 17 when I found out about The World Race through social media. I didn’t know much about it, but I knew that it sounded like the mission trip of a lifetime. I was intrigued, but I knew that it was expensive, and that it was LONG. I also knew that college was the next “check” on the list of things that are expected of most high school juniors and seniors. So I pushed it to the back of my mind. Semi-hopeful that it would come up again later in my life, but also kind of believing that I could never do anything like the WR. I tried to be patient (+ if you know me, then it’s ok to laugh at that statement).
Over the last 12 months, I have prayed for God to show me where He wants me, to send me where I am needed, where HE is needed. I have prayed hard. I have shed a lot of tears, and felt really out of place in a church I called home. I went from being 100% involved in every way at a giant church, to not going to church at all, to doubting God, to finally collapsing in full surrender to Him, to finding a church that is now family, and a safe place for me to be every week. A rollercoaster of events! Heartache! A longing for something I wasn’t even sure existed.
Out of no where I was submerged in this community of believers that cared deeply about me, and my journey with God. I didn’t know what to do with all of this love that poured out in words of affirmation, prayer, and enough hugs to last 10 years.
It was during all of these things that I felt a little nudge to do a long(er) term mission trip. I was reminiscing on my time in Uganda (Mar-April 2017), and was longing to be serving the Lord in that way again.
A friend encouraged me to apply for the World Race, because “what can it hurt? if you get accepted, go… and if you don’t, then you don’t and nothing changes.” And so I did. 6 days later I was accepted, and turned in my deposit almost right away… and here we are! On my World Race blog! Oh the faithfulness and the sweetness of our Father. The perfect timing that He does every single thing in.
Some of you might be wondering… what IS The World Race?
Well!! The World Race is an 11 month, 11 country mission trip to “share the love of Jesus and serve others around the world.” We will be doing all kinds of things, from teaching in schools, to working in orphanages, farming, and so much more. Loving on everyone we meet. Oh, and all of my belongings have to fit in a backpacking backpack!!! (tips. please help).
I am on the January 2019 Route 1, which includes these 11 countries (that are subject to change):
- Honduras
- Costa Rica
- Panama
- Indonesia
- Vietnam
- Cambodia
- Thailand
- Botswana
- Swaziland
- Lesotho
- South Africa
If you have an questions at all, or if you feel led to help me with funding my trip, or otherwise, please feel free to contact me via text, email, or social media!! I am in need of people to partner with me to make this happen, and am praying that God shows up in unexpected ways.
I feel so humbled by this experience already, and I cannot wait for all that it to come as I dive deeper into this adventure that God is calling me into.
Your prayers and support mean more to me than words could say!!!
