Dearest Friends and Family,
I have some incredibly exciting news!
In September of 2015 I will be leaving for an 11 month journey called the World Race. It is a journey to 11 countries in 11 months to serve “the least of these” while amongst real and raw community. The World Race facilitates discipleship through the process of discovering the abundant life He promised. It creates partnerships with ministries around the world. It focuses on loving the lost sheep that society shuns. I will spend one month in 11 different countries (one country per month) doing whatever type of mission work is needed; once that month is done, I will journey to another country and continue to minister and love new people in new places.
Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, India, Nepal, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua are the countries I will call my home for 11 months. (Wow. This still seems so crazy to me!!)
The type of mission work I will be doing on this trip will change from month to month. Each new country will bring new service opportunities. Some months I may work with orphans, some months it may be construction, or homeless outreach, or working with victims of trafficking. It will be anything that will bless, and anything that will bring the Kingdom. Each month will be different, each month will have its own challenges, and each month will have its own blessings. Wherever I am, whatever I am doing, the goal will be the same: love “the least of these” and bring His Kingdom.
Many people have asked why I have decided to go on the Race. It’s not like you have to go to another country to experience God, or officially be titled a “missionary” to minister to people. In fact, there are far cheaper options if you just want to get away for a while and do a little good at the same time. My answer to this question is this: I am going because I have to. I don’t have to go because God’s mission will go undone without me. I don’t have to go because I believe I will personally and singlehandedly end poverty. I don’t have to go because I’m a Millennial and this is what we are supposed to do in our early 20’s. No, I have to go because I have a deep desire to see the world, one that cannot and will not go away. I have to go because I have a deep desire to see God at work in ways I am not comfortable with. I have to go because God has been placing this on my heart for years and I trust that he has something in store for me. Finally, I have to go because I can’t shake Isaiah 49:6:
“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”
It is too small a thing to care for the ones that have already been restored, important…but too small. I must also care for the unloved and the abandoned. I must be a light and I must bring his Kingdom. God doesn’t NEED me to go, but he sure will use me. He doesn’t NEED me to go to change my life, but he sure will use the Race to work in me. This isn’t a rash decision, I’ve known I’d go somewhere someday for as long as I can remember. He may not need me to fulfill his will, but I know he has given me the heart for it. He has equipped me with a heart for service and a heart for loving others. I know I can be someone to spread the Kingdom and to speak his love. This is ultimately why I am going, because I know God has given me the gifts and the desire to be used in this way. You don’t have to go abroad to be used by God, but I believe this is one way God has prepared me to be used! I am excited to be given an opportunity to spread Gods love in a new way.
I want to take a moment and also say, when the Lord speaks to you…you listen, especially when he speaks though a precious girl named Myklyn. I met Myklyn when I was working summer camps a few summers ago and it is because of her faithfulness that I finally decided to go on the Race. The Lord had put the Race on my heart for years, but I kept blowing it off, giving into my own fear and doubts about myself and my abilities. I never believed that I would be strong enough to actually go on the Race. One night at camp God used Myklyn to get my attention. She spoke words of wisdom, encouragement, and strength specifically about the Race into my heart. You are such a beautiful soul, Myklyn, and I thank you for sharing your heart with me! I can’t wait to see how God uses you around the world! May The Spirit lead you where your trust is without borders.
Friends, I cannot tell you how excited I am for this opportunity. I can’t wait to share with y’all how the Lord works around the world for the year that I am gone! Y’all will constantly be on my mind and in my heart! If you are interested in being part of my journey there are a couple of things that you can do to partner with me during the next several months:
1.I know financial support may not be possible for many of you, and that is okay, but it is an important part of my trip. Without the proper funds this trip will not be possible. While it is a daunting amount of money to raise I know the type of God we serve. He is with me and he will provide! If you feel lead to donate to my trip, any amount would be welcomed. You can do this by clicking the “support me” button to the left. I will also announce other ways you can partner with me financially in the upcoming weeks.
2. Prayer is powerful and even more important than financial support. I would love everyone to feel welcome to pray for me as I go on this journey. I will keep y’all updated with my struggles and needs starting now and continuing through the end of my time on the Race. Y’alls prayers will be an essential part of my journey and incredibly appreciated.
We serve a great God, y’all! Thank you for listening and thank you for the love and support that has already been poured over me. I can’t believe how blessed I am to have such amazing people in my life! Y’all make me overflow with joy!
With all my love,
Hannah
