Welcome. Thank you for being a part of my journey. I thank God for you.
[Who I Am]
My name is Joanna Sorensen: Joanna, meaning God’s Gracious Addition, and Sorensen, which is a Danish family name.
I love to write, to read, to hike, and to sit and laugh with those that I love. I enjoy drinking coffee, drinking smoothies, playing Pac-Man, playing Bananagrams, candles, flowers, analogies, and a wide array of gifs. If I was stranded on a deserted island and could only have three things, I would want a raft, a paddle, and an unlimited supply of sushi.
I was born and raised in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and have since moved three hours north to Greeley, Colorado to attend the University of Northern Colorado. In December, I’m graduating with my Bachelor’s in English Education, my certification in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), and my minor in Leadership. I hope to teach English or ESL, either overseas or in America. When people ask me how I feel about Greeley, I tell them that I would never want a Greeley-scented candle, but I do enjoy our wonderful variety of coffee shops, pizza joints, and parks.
I love to travel and learn about other cultures. When I was in 8th grade, our family hosted a South Korean exchange student for a few months, which was one of the most fun experiences of my entire middle school career. I have since traveled to Romania (for a missions trip), Ireland (for study abroad), and Italy (for a vacation).
God’s goodness amazes me every time I stop to think about him. He is my healer, my redeemer, my forgiver, my friend, my Savior, and my Father. He’s given me an opportunity to go on an amazing adventure with him, and I know this is right where I’m supposed to be because God has affirmed this opportunity in remarkable. I’m so stoked to see God show up in incredible ways.
[Why I’m Here]
I’ve known about the World Race since I was 16. More than anything, the cry of my heart is to be used by God to advance his kingdom; to be a part of God’s grand adventure. God calls us to take care of the orphans and widows, and I believe that he is leading me to care for those people throughout the World Race.
I’ve had many people ask me why I feel like I’m supposed to partner with this specific organization and be a part of this particular missions opportunity. And the only answer I can give people is that this is something God has been affirming for the past five years of my life. This was the thing that God brought to my mind when I wondered what I would do post-graduation. This is the thing that comes up at random doctor’s appointments with strangers and doctors who I have never met. This is the thing that has been on my heart and in my mind without fail for days, weeks, months, and years.
The World Race will be hard; I have had many people tell me that, including my own family members and friends who have gone on the Race. It’s not a year of studying abroad or lying in the sun. It’s a year of loving people, being refined by fire (which is an incredible, but painful, process), and at points, doing things like building bricks out of clay and wondering what in the world God is doing. But the fear has yet to drown out my excitement, and I know that that is God’s heart and not my own.
