My mom keeps telling me I need to write another blog post. I’ve agreed with her, but it’s one thing to think about writing and it’s another thing to actually sit down and write. So, sorry. Procrastination got the best of me. I should probably start by giving some sort of update.
God has been faithful in providing support towards my trip. Right now, I have almost $8,000 in my account, which means I can officially launch in September! I may have let out a squeal when I first saw that. Camping gear continues to be extremely expensive, so I’ve been stalking discount websites like it’s my job…well, a part time job, but a job, nonetheless. If you or someone you know has stuff they want to lend or give to me, I’d love you forever…not that I don’t already love you.
I’m not going to lie, the fact that I’m leaving for a year on this crazy God-filled extravaganza is still pretty surreal to me. I’m beyond excited for what God has in store for me, but I’m still having a hard time imagining that it’s happening…IN 4 MONTHS.
I’ve noticed a commonality when I tell people about the World Race. It usually goes something like this:
Me: “I’m leaving in September for an 11 month missions trip called the World Race!”
Them: “Oh my gosh! That’s so awesome! Where are you going?”
Me: “I start in Haiti, and then I’ll go to Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.”
Them: “Wow, that’s great! It’s definitely a good thing to do now-while you can and you’re young.”
Or “Wow! I wish I could travel and see the world!”
Or “That’ll be SO MUCH FUN!”
(emphasis added)
Ok, so you get the jist. Yes, those are normal responses, and there’s nothing inherently wrong with saying those things. But that’s not why I’m going.
You see, if I had wanted to experience cultures, just travel, and have great experiences, I would have bought a backpack, and gone to Europe. Just kidding. My parents would’ve flipped out. I would have taken a vacation or something. Y’all this ISN’T A VACATION. And while it WILL be a great experience, that’s not why I’m going.
Ask me why I signed up and decided to go, and I will tell you without even blinking:
“Because God told me to.”
That’s why I applied. End of story.
Now that I’ve had time to think about it, I can say that I want to go to spread God’s love, to share the gospel with people who don’t have access to it, to show people that they don’t have to TRY to earn grace and favor from a god, because my God gives salvation to anyone who simply believes in Him. I want to touch others’ lives. I want to be challenged in my faith. I want to grow, learn and come back with experiences that will be able to impact the lives of people here.
The “great experience” and the “awesome time” are sure to come, but they are not guaranteed. My safety is certainly not guaranteed. (Sorry mom. I know you’re freaking out.)
I’m not guaranteed to love spending time with the same group of people 24/7 for 11 months. I will probably hate not having a bed. And I will get tired of feeling sweaty and sticky all the time. But I’ve learned and will continue to learn that none of those things matter. Not the great experience, not my discomfort, and certainly not my safety. Y’all we weren’t placed here to live for us. We were placed on this earth to live for God. To bring glory to Him. Am I perfect at grasping and living that out? Do I wake up every morning excited to die to myself and live for Christ? NO. I’m praying that’s something I learn to do though.Thank the Lord (literally) for grace!
Well, I suppose I’ll get off my soapbox now. Oh, and if you’ve said any of those responses to me, don’t sweat it. I know you didn’t mean anything bad by saying I’m going to have fun, cause I know I will! “:) And chances are, I probably don’t even remember your response. I’ve talked to so many people about the World Race…like the dude on the phone from Time Warner Cable yesterday.
