The news is out that I’m leaving the country soon!
You may be wondering where I’m going or what specifically I’ll be doing. If you’re not familiar with the World Race, it is a Christian mission trip which goes to 11 countries in 11 months, spending a month in each country. Each month will be spent partnering with local ministries to serve the community’s specific needs and share the love of Christ.
This partnership with the local churches and missionaries is one of the things that draws me to the World Race. I believe partnership in the gospel can be such a powerful way to serve the World by serving alongside of the people who live locally, who see the community every day, and who know how to best to love their people. The ministries I will be partnering with could range from working with children, construction work, witnessing to sex trafficking victims, door to door ministry, and many others.
I will be traveling with a group of people (shout out to Q Squad !) that will be my ‘squad’ for the whole year. These are the 11 countries we will be traveling to:
- Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama,
- Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand,
- Botswana, Swaziland, Lesotho, South Africa
As I continue to take steps towards going on the race the reality of going becomes clearer with each person I tell and letter I write. Right now, I feel on the borderline of being really excited to leave in January and also feeling scared to start this journey. The Lord has been bringing things to light that I hadn’t even realized were still insecurities for me. There are layers of past insecurities that I thought I’d overcome as well as insecurities that are new. I have found that I have insecurities about myself, planning, and my worthiness that I did not know were there. As I push through these insecurities and step into fully investing in what the Lord will show me, I know that He’ll teach me through this preparation phase. I will be relying on Him for strength, endurance, and enough peace to get me through the next planning step.
You may wonder why I am telling you about my insecurities, rather than simply sharing my excitement. I want to do so because I believe that honesty and vulnerability contribute greatly to my growth. I also hope that if I boast in my weaknesses just as Paul says we should, that the Lord will get any glory that comes.
“If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness”
2 Corinthians 11:30
As I continue to take one step forward at a time, I am very excited to see God work in this process! But, I won’t be able to move forward from here without your help.
I have two upcoming fundraising deadlines for the World Race that are listed below. In order to attend Training Camp on October 16th, I need to reach my first goal of $5,000 by October 15th! If you are able to or believe God is asking you to donate, I would greatly appreciate any of your help. If you are not able to give at this time, I would still greatly appreciate your prayer and support as I am fundraising!
Please help me reach these upcoming fundraising goals:
$5,000 by October 15th
$10,000 by December 20th
How to donate:
To give online click the Orange “Donate!” button at the top right of this page
Send cash or check made out to Adventures in Missions to:
Joanna Phillips
31330 Fox Hill Ave.
Stacy, MN 55079
I want to thank the people who have already given and prayed for me, it means a lot. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Joanna
