What made you decide to do that? This seems to be the common question I get when people find out that I’m going on the World Race. When I first was answering the question I gave the simple answer of “it’s a great opportunity” and “it’s the perfect time in my life to do it”. Yes, both of these answers are correct but they both miss the main point. So, I want to explain exactly why I am doing this and what led me to this specific mission’s trip.
This is not just a post-college adventure in which I take time off and enjoy myself. I am doing this to bring glory to God and to complete the work He has set before me. Of course I will have fun and will enjoy seeing the world but more importantly I am excited about what God has in store for me. I desire to go further than religion and to live as Jesus did in his ministry. True fellowship, living as the locals do, and possessing only what I can carry in my backpack. Simplicity. To worship and share Christ we don’t need fancy music, big buildings, or top-of-the-line programs. All we need is a Bible and people.
This may not sound very attractive to people and to be honest I would have thought that way about a year ago. This all changed with my mission’s trip to Nicaragua in August 2010. This trip was a major awakening to me and it was an experience that I will never forget. It was a time when I was away from all of life’s luxuries and needless to say it was a relief. I became closer to God than ever before and I experienced so much in that one week that I desired more. Even when I returned home my mind was still with the people of Puerto Viejo. This is what made me begin to search for other short-term mission’s trips for this upcoming summer. It was through that searching that I came across the World Race. I was excited when I read about the mission but I immediately said to myself “There is NO-Way that I would ever get to do this”. After all, that is a lot of money to raise and I would have to leave home for an entire year. I also had to take a step back and ask God if it was where He wanted me to be. I continued to pray and I began talking to people about it. Everyone was supportive of my decision and after much prayer I decided to apply. So here I am just 6 ½ months away from leaving. God has certainly been guiding me through this process and I am more and more excited everyday about what God is leading me to!
Well I know that this is the short and sweet explanation but I felt you all should know. I realize that I have not been updating the blog that much of late. However, I should be updating it more frequently from here on out now that the trip is getting closer and my fundraising is in full swing.
Merry Christmas!
Photos from Nicaragua 2010 
