Who, me? No, you must have the wrong person, God…how can I quit my job and leave for a year?
I first learned about the World Race exactly a year ago when I started thinking about mission trips again and had the chance to hear firsthand about my friend’s World Race journey. She had such an amazing experience, and encouraged me to apply, but I hesitated. I thought, this sounds like such a great opportunity to live out my faith, but I have so many fears and doubts about being sent overseas. However, the World Race remained on my heart, and as I continued to get plugged into my community here in the Bay Area, God knew exactly what He was doing as He prepared my heart.
You might ask, why the World Race: Expedition Route? Well, it is an 11-month Christian mission trip to 11 countries around the world. We will be traveling through countries in the 10/40 Window (10 to 40 degrees north latitude), an area in the world that is least reached by the Gospel. Through the Expedition, my team and I will serve in partnership with ministries in local communities to possibly work in orphanages, teach English, minister to women and children victimized as result of human trafficking, share the Gospel, and so much more. The 10/40 Window holds a special place in my heart (no, not because of my accounting background if you’re thinking tax forms), mainly because that is where I am from and also because I went on my first overseas mission trip to China in 2012. It was an amazing opportunity to see how God was working in people’s hearts, and how there was still so much work to be done.
I’m glad I didn’t leave last year, because I would’ve missed out on taking the Perspectives class this past Spring semester. Perspectives is a 15-week course that highlights different aspects of God’s global purpose around four vantage points – Biblical, Historical, Cultural and Strategic. I was hit with the reality that the unreached peoples of the world can be reached in my lifetime, which filled me with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. Over the past month as I talked with more people and prayed over my decision, it became clear to me that there will never be a perfect time to go, but only time for me to go in perfect obedience. For those of you who know me, I like it when things are controlled and predictable. A mission trip is anything but that, so I will go trusting that God is ultimately the one in control, and learn to depend on Him all the more.
“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’” (Romans 10:14-15 ESV)
I am extremely thankful that I’ve been blessed with this opportunity to embark on an 11-month mission trip. I truly feel privileged to be sent, so that others can receive the same priceless gift of the Gospel that I received 7 years ago.
I am inviting you to come alongside me on this journey over the next year! I know that it will be a year filled with unforgettable friendships, challenges, growth, and tears of sadness as well as shouts of praises. I know that I won’t be able to do it without your support and prayers, so thank you, thank you in advance! All donations are tax-deductible and will cover my field expenses while overseas. Feel free to leave your comments below, or email me at FeiYaoWR@gmail if you have any questions. There is a lot more that I want to share, but you’ve been patient enough to read until the very end, so thank you and until next time!
