As I begin this journey readying myself for the Journey ahead of me through World Race, I can't help but look back upon the journey leading up to getting here.
A little bit about me–I was born and raised in a suburb of Milwaukee, WI. I grew up in a loving family, where my parents shared a deep love for Christ and imparted this to me. But as I grew and developed, I began to struggle, just like everyone else in this World. I struggled through some really hard years, with depression and perfectionism and self-doubt.
In the midst of it all though, Jesus was always there. I distinctly remember my seventh grade year, when things got really really bad. My mom took me out of school and I was homeschooled. During that year I soaked up the Bible. I read the words of God and remember feeling for the first time that these words were written, to me. That the words of love and grace were not just a story I heard, but were something that Jesus was longing to extend to me, in a very personal, real way.
Since then, much has happened in my life and it has not all been easy. We know that life carries its ups and downs, good times, bad times, joyful occassions and sorrowful ones. But I have heard His sweet voice through it all saying, "This is the way to go, Hannah, walk in it." And it is the road of picking up my cross, yet again, saying good bye to the comforts and the many things I have come to love and expect living here in America and choosing to say, "I will follow you Lord, no matter where you lead me."
So that brings me here, to the desire to go on the World Race–yes I'm excited to travel and experience new things, but even more so I'm excited to see the adventures God has placed ahead of me. I have been on several short term missions to Mexico and recently was able to go to Uganda, Africa this past May. Every time, I want to stay longer, do more and minister to the people in a more substantial way.
Me and an orphan named Halimah in Uganda this past July
I know that I may not know what is ahead for me with this trip, but I am trusting God to move in me and mold me into more like Him–to see Him work in ways I could never have imagined.
Please partner with me in prayer as I continue to seek His face for these countries I will be travelling to and ministering to with my team: Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Thailand, Cambodia,China,Malaysia,Uganda(I’m excited to return here!), Kenya, Tanzania and Malawi.
I am reminded of this verse: Philippians 1:21 "But for me to live is Christ and to die is gain." The only way to truly live is to surrender to Christ and die to what we think we want to discover what is truly means to live.
May God richly bless you all.
Love,
Hannah
