hey family and friends! I’m going to be real honest with y’all, I’m really late in writing my first blog.
This will just give y’all more of why I chose to go to 4 different countries with 40+ strangers!
I thought I had my whole life planned out at the beginning of this year. I had already been talking to colleges and was planning my dorm room and dreaming of the perfect roommate! I knew exacty what to say to people who asked “what are you doing after high school?” or “what does your future look like?”. At the beginning of March, I knew I wasn’t including God in these decisions and doors started to close. I was so confused. I was confused as to why God would give me such a strong desire to do something and then close the doors to do it. I prayed for God to show me what my next step was. I was suddenly not able to answer the “what’s next?” questions.
I decided to just continue living my life and wait for God to show me His plan for me, which is what I should have done to begin with. My brother is an intern in South Africa and he told me about these “World Racers” that would come through and he would host them and train them in leadership and evangelism in the communities. He knew that my plans had kind of fallen apart and he told me that the World Race Gap Year Program was something he could see me doing. I took it under consideration but pretty much ignored it.
My class fundraised to go on a senior trip all school year. We went to Costa Rica for 10 days at the end of March. I prayed and asked God to show me more of Him on this trip. Ask and you shall receive, right? A few days of pouring into the community of San Josè, and I had already felt this longing for missions. We had a guide through Joshua Expedition, Katherine Dooley. She told me about the World Race. She went on it and said it was an amazing experience. I couldn’t believe The World Race had come up twice in two weeks of me asking God what to do next. As soon as I got home, I applied and was accepted about 3 weeks later.
I am really behind in my fundraising but I know my God is a God of provision. 2 Corinthians 9:8 says “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” I am so excited to spend 9 months with these amazing people. Training camp is only a few days away and I have been traveling with some racers on my route. We went camping in NC at Max Patch. We met up with a group of other racers and they are the best. It’s so fun to spend time and get to know people who want the same thing as you, and that’s to spread the love of Jesus. This trip isn’t to get away from my problems or the stress of college. It’s to put my life on hold so I can be drawn closer to God and to show people who have never experienced the voice of the Holy Spirit and what it’s like with Him inside you. Because I’d be so lost without Him. I’m praying that God will use me on this trip and show me more of who I am and who He is. I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE HIS CREATION. I’m a true lover of nature and I know I will love every minute of it. (Maybe not the bugs as much!)
Thank you to all who have read this! I will be updating on how training camp goes but I hope this gives you more of an understanding of my reasons and expectations for this race will be!
