I understand some of the aspects of the World Race seem crazy! When I talk to people about the World Race, I get a lot of questions. So if I have yet to have the opportunity to clear any confusion in person I hope this helps.
The most common questions I have been asked:
1. What is the World Race?
2. Who organizes the Race?
3. Who is going with you?
4. Where are you going?
5. What are you doing in each country?
6. When do you leave, how long will you be in each country?
7. Where will you sleep and what will you eat?
8. How much does this cost and who is paying?
9. How can I get involved?
10.That sounds like an awesome vacation, but why not just save and pay for it yourself?
11. Why not do something in the US?
1. What is 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. It facilitates discipleship through the process of discovering into the abundant life He promised. It births partnerships with ministries around the world. It requires Luke 10-like faith to get out of your comfort zone and giving you exposure to what God is doing in the world.
2. Who organizes the Race?
The World Race is a program organized by Adventures in Missions. Adventures in Missions is a Christian organization that has been around since 1989 and launched the first World Race ten years ago, they have successfully sent over 100,000 missionaries into the field. Adventures partners with long-term missions, missionaries, churches and organizations around the world, sending in teams to serve them to assist the work they’re already doing in the local communities.
3. Who is going with you?
I will be traveling with a large squad of about 60 other young adults ages 21-35 from all over. We will be divided into smaller teams between 6-8. Our squad will travel between countries together, and then each team will separate across the country to go to their own ministry sites for the month.
4. Where are you going?
India, Nepal, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Greece, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Botswana, Swaziland, and South Africa.
5. What are you doing in each country?
What I do each month will vary based on the ministries my team is sent to, and ultimately I won’t know until I get there. Typical World Race activities include teaching English, loving on orphans, volunteering in hospitals, doing construction work, befriending girls who have been trafficked into slavery, or using our own talents and spiritual gifts in fields to aid the ministry. In every location, we’ll be working with the impoverished and neglected populations where the need is deepest. Ultimately, I’m not going to “fix” someone’s problems, but to serve and encourage the ministries I encounter in whatever way they need. I’m going to build relationships, love people with Christ’s love, and be a light in their lives.
Here is a little more on each country I will be serving :
India 
With nearly a sixth of the world’s population within its borders, India is a country bursting with people and culture. Home to a diverse array of beliefs from Hinduism to Islam, to a blend of folk religions and other faiths, it is a country of pluralism with twenty-nine languages spoken by over a million native speakers, multiple religions, cuisine, socio-economic classes, and political parties. India’s struggles with poverty and crimes of human trafficking, forced prostitution, religious persecution, and more. Work in India could be partnering with local churches to encourage believers and most likely be challenged by their testimonies. Your presence will bring hope and truth to those that society deems “untouchable.”
Nepal 
Home to Mount Everest, the world’s tallest mountain, Nepal literally sits on top of the world. We may be visiting widows and orphans in their times of distress and helping to protect the innocent who are prey to human traffickers. This month of the World Race experience will be submerged in a culture that is desperate for an encounter with the living God.
Thailand 
The kingdom of Thailand, known as Siam until 1939, is the only country in the region not colonized by Europe. Their 2000 census showed that 94.6% of the population is Buddhist, 4.6% are Muslim, and 0.7% are Christian. Approximately 600,000 people live with HIV/AIDS in Thailand. With nearly two million people estimated to be forced into prostitution, it has become one of the most popular places for sex tourism. Ministry may include changing lives in the city-where, like Jesus, we might befriend prostitutes-or in the countryside-where we could be serving the youth, caring for orphans, and encouraging a remnant of believers.
Cambodia 
Cambodia houses one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Angkor Wat, a Hindu temple and monastery built during the Khmer empire in the 12th century. It later became a Buddhist complex a century later, and today, just over 96% of Cambodia is Buddhist. Almost 30 years ago, 1.5 million Cambodians died at the hands of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge regime. Today, Cambodia is a source, transit point, and destination of human trafficking. Unfortunately, the government is struggling to stop it. The people of Cambodia are thirsty for the hope.
Vietnam 
After nearly a century of French rule, in the mid-20th century, Vietnam was split into communist (north) and non-communist (south) halves. By 1975, Vietnam was made whole again, but as a communist country. Even with the economic reforms and restoration of diplomatic ties human rights are limited in Vietnam, especially freedom of religion; most of Vietnam is Buddhist, less than 10% is Catholic. We will most likely be teaching English or working in cafes forming relationships and friendships with the locals, ultimately to share the love of the Father.
Greece 
Often called the birthplace of civilization, Greece is known for its deep cultural history. Ranking high on the list of tourism destinations, Greece is also ranked third in the world for highest unemployment rate. Over the past few years, Greece’s financial crisis has topped the news highlights, and most recently it was a major transition point for refugees. Still at the forefront of today’s news, Greece is in need of hope. We will be following in the steps of Apostle Paul and sharing God’s love in a country that was once a hub for Christianity.
Macedonia 
Formerly part of Yugoslavia, the Eastern European nation of Macedonia received independence in 1991. While the nation has undergone serious economic reform since then, with over 70% of the population struggling to make ends meet, it has one of the poorest economies in Europe. With 65% of the nation Eastern Orthodox and 33% Muslim, it also has the 5th highest percentage of Muslims in Europe. As this new nation still struggles for solid footing in uncertain times, we will share the life-saving truth that complete security comes from dependence on Christ.
Bulgaria 
This southern-central European country is the 16th largest in Europe. Its geography is varied with mountain ranges, plains and a coastline along the Black Sea. Its economy is growing, but among all the European Union members it ranks lowest in terms of income. Organized crime is an issue as is human trafficking. Bulgaria is mainly a source of trafficking in persons yet also, to a lesser extent, a transit point and destination of trafficking. Here, about half the population claims to be orthodox and over 10% are Muslim. We will be there to be a light and bring hope to this nation caught between “developed” and “developing.”
Botswana 
Although it’s one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world, Botswana has the second highest HIV infection rate, next to Swaziland, its southern neighbor. The land itself struggles with drought and desertification yet boasts the largest elephant population in the world in one of its national parks. The majority of the people identify themselves as Christians but very much need help to advance the kingdom with love and in power.
Swaziland 
The Kingdom of Swaziland is one of the last remaining monarchies in Africa. Home to 1.1 million people and breathtaking scenic views, it’s also where the world’s highest HIV/AIDS infection rate lives (26.1% in adults and over 50% of adults in their 20s). It’s estimated that by 2050, Swaziland may cease to exist. Young orphans are scattered throughout this nation in desperate need of attention. For years, Adventures has been committed to seeing these statistics reversed. Here, we will most likely find ourselves involved in a variety of outreaches, including education, orphan care, care point feedings, and more.
South Africa 
While it’s been several decades since apartheid has formally ended, there’s still more healing and reconciliation to take place in South Africa. One of the wealthiest countries on the continent yet much of the population living outside the cities is poor. Like the rest of sub-Saharan Africa, this country struggles with a high rate of AIDS/HIV. Host to the 2010 World Cup and breathtaking natural attractions, it’s also a place full of kingdom potential, waiting to be released.
6. When do you leave, how long will you be in each country?
I launch in January 2017. After training camp in October 2016, I will have more details about where in the US I will leave from to head to our first country. We will spend one month in each country, 11 countries – 11 months.
7. Where will you sleep and what will you eat?
This year, I’ll be carrying my home on my back – clothes, sleeping bag, tent, and anything else I may need. Accommodations will vary month by month: sometimes I might be in a church basement or a ministry contact’s spare room, and other months I might be in my tent camping in a mango grove. My team will have a small food budget, but the way it’s spent will also vary. We may be cooking for ourselves, buying meals at local markets, or eating with our ministry contacts.
Soon to follow answers to questions 8 – 11
