When I was 7 years old I made a plan for how my life was going to play out (and God probably definitely laughed). I remember writing it on a purple piece of stationary, (the other side was a list of qualities my “husband” will have, but that’s another story for another time). It was a checklist or a timeline and it said something like drive a car, go to high school, grow up, go to college, get a really cool job, change the world, meet a boy, get married by 22 (if my dad said it was ok??), and then eventually have kids and grow old. So far, so good. I have checked a few things off the list but now I am at that monumental, life altering, transitioning period. I am graduating from The University of Texas at Austin in the spring and I can’t help but feel slightly different from those around me talking about the cool interviews they have for jobs in Dallas, New York, Chicago, etc. I am not interviewing for my first entry-level, 9-5 position at a large PR firm, and I won’t be for another year and a half.
This coming October I will be leaving for 11 months with the World Race as I embark on a journey of faith and travel. I will be traveling through the following 11 countries spreading the word of God and touching the lives of others.
Honduras
Nicaragua
Guatemala
Costa Rica
Rwanda
Kenya
Uganda
Thailand
Philippines
Cambodia
Malaysia
I have always had such an overwhelming passion and calling to serve others, especially in areas of poverty. The World Race allows me to mix my love for travel, service, and Jesus into one big beautiful masterpiece. Over the next 11 months, I will be working with an incredible team as we partner with local churches and ministries in each country. Every month will look a little different as we preach the Gospel, work in orphanages, minister to women and children trapped in human trafficking, plant local churches, or just love on the people we meet along the way.
Right about now half of you reading this are totally not surprised that this is where I have found myself for the next year and a half. The other half of you probably think I’m slightly crazy for leaving for almost a year (sometimes I think I am too). The rest of you (ok, this doesn’t add up?) don’t know me but somehow ended up on my blog when scrolling through Facebook (welcome!). Regardless of what category you fall under, I invite all of you to join me on this journey because it’s going to be a huge one. You can follow my blog for updates over the next few months as I prepare to leave and exciting stories of my adventures when I am on the field. I will even try to throw in some *artsy* pics if I can ever figure out how to download them from my camera onto to my computer…
I would also love if you would cover my team and myself in prayer as we prepare our hearts for this trip. Due to the nature of the ministry, there is a good deal of financial support that I need to raise ($16,500). If you would like to partner with me financially, you can support me online by clicking on the orange “Support Me” tab at the top of the page. Any and all donations are so greatly appreciated, as this is a very large goal (cue rapid heartbeat and sweaty palms). I’d love for you to witness how your prayers and support are allowing me to do what God has put in my heart and called me to fulfill. Words truly cannot express how excited I am to begin this next chapter of my life. As I reflect on what’s to come, I can’t help but laugh when I think about what I would say to 7 year old me. Guess I won’t be married by 22 after all (ha?)
So here’s to all the stories, triumphs, struggles, laughs, lessons, love, and faith.
