Let me tell you how I got here. When I was 17 my family and I packed up our things and moved to Nicaragua to become missionaries, and for the first time in my whole life I felt like I knew exactly what God was calling me to do. I felt a sense of belonging, and purpose, and I loved everything about it. I immediately knew that I was exactly where God wanted me to be. I spent most of my time in children’s ministry and I loved it! Every kid took a place in my heart, and I loved getting to build a relationship with them and spend time watching them learn and grow. However, as much as I absolutely loved the kids, and loved the country, I still had a lot of growing to do myself. I had held onto a lot of hurt and anger from my past for many years, and it was wearing me down and preventing the kind of growth that needed to happen in my life. I was stagnant. I was stuck with one foot in the world. Exactly 1 year after arriving in Nicaragua, I got sent back to America. There were a lot of family issues going on that I didnt know how to deal with. Because of all the emotional baggage I had brought with me on the mission field, I wasnt able to really help anyone because I still needed a lot of help myself. How could I talk to these kids about unconditional love and forgiveness, when my heart was still so full of anger? The next few months after getting sent home were rough. It really honestly took me hitting absolute rock bottom for me to look up and ask God to take away all the things that were pulling me down. And well folks, all I can tell you is our God is good, and our God hears us when we call out to Him. The moment I was able to lay down all my baggage at His feet, was the moment I felt absolute release from the chains that satan had been using to hold me down for so long. There is such freedom in forgiveness, and I am so thankful for that. So since then, God has been working wonders in my heart and my life. These past few months Iv been praying for guidance on what steps God wants me to take next in my life, and while visiting my parents in Nicaragua over Christmas, He gave me a lot of clarity and direction. Though my heart is in Nicaragua, and I definitely feel like thats where I see myself long term, God made it clear while I was there that its not my time just yet. Through lots of prayer I felt strongly that the Lord has a lot of work He needs to do in me still, and I still have a lot of growing to do. God made it clear that this year is gunna be a year of growth,and finding myself, and the only way I can do that is by finding more of Him. And as hard as it was to say goodbye again to my family, the kids, and that country that I love, its also super exciting because I know He’s gunna do some awesome work on my heart this year! And that my friends, is what brings me here to the World Race Gap Year program. While seeking the Lords will on this next chapter of my life, I felt called strongly to continue my work in missions, but to experience it in a different way. When my mom suggested the World race programs, I was really interested. Traveling to different parts of the world with people my own age, who are in similar spots in their lives as I am, and doing what I love to do most: missions. It’s perfect! And the more I prayed about it, the more I felt like this is exactly the kind of thing God is calling me to do. So I sent in my application to the Gap Year program, and feel so blessed and excited to have been accepted!! Through this program, starting in September I will spend the next 9 months of my life(3 months in each country) spreading Christ’s love and building new relationships in Thailand,South Africa,and Nicaragua! Every country will hold a new journey, weather it be worshiping with orphans, talking about God’s love to sex trafficking victims,or doing street evangelism, the goal is all the same: to love on each and every person God puts in our paths, just as He loves us. God is going to be doing AMAZING things! I am so excited to start this new chapter of my life and to see all the things that God is going to do in me, and through me and my team over this next year.
“Therefore GO and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
Now heres how you can help!: Although I am so excited to start this journey, one of the biggest obstacles, like with any missions trip, is fundraising. The total cost of the trip is $12,491. This covers everything; air fair, food, other travel expenses (bus, car, ect..) insurance, EVERYTHING.Now I know this seems close to impossible, especially with a deadline coming up in May, but God is good and I know that since He gave me the calling to go, He will provide! I would be so grateful if you would be able to support me financially in this journey. However, if your not able to give, I would also really appreciate your prayers for God’s guidance, and my spiritual growth over this next year.
Here are my payment deadlines :
$6,000-May 8th
$9,000-June 19th
$12,500-August 21st
You can donate by clicking on the “Support Me!” tab. Also be sure to check out my blog regularly at hannahesposito.theworldrace.org to keep up and read about all the things God will be doing leading up to, and during the race! Be sure to contact me anytime by phone at (505)681-1468 or by email [email protected] if you have any questions for me about my trip. I’d love to talk to you!
