Over the past couple months, I have been getting A LOT of questions about the World Race, and I am beginning to see a pattern here! I recently read an awesome FAQ blog from one of my squad mates Laura Webb, and I was inspired to do the same, so without further a do, I give you the comprehensive, question-answering, be-all end-all, most awesome and informational blog post ever!!!!!! Okay, maybe not, but you get the idea.
1. What is the World Race?
I know, I know. The Amazing Race may have conditioned you to believe that I will be running around the World and competing for a million dollar prize, but that is just not the case.
The World Race is a long-term Christian missions trip to 11 countries in 11 months. The only “race” we will be running is the race Paul talks about in 1 Corinthians 9, when he says, “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.”
So yes, I will be running a race, but it does not have a finish line or a million dollar prize!
2. When are you leaving?
I will be leaving the first week of January 2016 and I will return at the end of November 2016.
3. What countries will you be going to?
If nothing changes(which it totally could), here is the list.
January- Peru
February- Ecuador
March- Colombia
April- Montenegro
May- Bulgaria
June- Albania
July- Nepal
August- India
September- Malaysia
October- Thailand
November- Cambodia
4. What will you be doing?
The answer I have been giving to this question is everything. My mission is to serve. That could mean building a house for a widow, volunteering in an orphanage, teaching English, helping women who have escaped sex trafficking, or even preaching in church services. From the wise words of Bigweld in the movie Robots, “See a need, fill a need.”
5. Are you going with a church? What denomination is it?
No, I am not going with a specific church. I am going with Adventures in Missions(AIM), an interdenominational Christian organization that specializes in equipping people for the mission field. What I love about AIM is that they understand that we serve a God that is bigger than the denominational divide. We all love Jesus. We all want to serve Him with everything we have, and where denominations normally separate us, here the body is truly united.
6. How much does it cost?
To go on this trip, I need to raise $16,962 dollars!! That may sound like a lot, but I serve a God that can work miracles. Plus, I know that God has called me, and if it is God’s will, it is God’s bill! 😉
7. Aren’t you scared?
Yup. Totally scared. But I bet Jesus was scared when they sentenced Him to die on the cross, and I know Paul was scared when He was put in prison for his beliefs, and I know Peter was scared when he walked out on the water to meet Jesus. Faith is doing things in spite of your fear and trusting that God will see you through. So yes, I am scared, but I will not let that stop me.
8. Wait a minute. So you plan on living out of a backpack for a year?
Yup, and I am so excited for it. Maybe it is the years of family camping trips or the fact that I have always been a light packer, but I’m totally not worried about this.
9. What happens if you meet a boy?
That won’t be an issue because I can’t date on the Race! And honestly, I am not worried about this at all. This year is for Jesus, not boys.
10. What are all those weird words you keep using???
Sometimes I forget that you haven’t learned all the WR jargon that I now use on a daily basis, so I am sorry for being such a jerk. Let me help you out.
Racer- a participant in the World Race
Squad- a group of 40-60 racers split into smaller teams that travel together on the Race.
Team- A group of 6-8 racers that live and do ministry together. Sub-division of the larger squad.
Mobilizer- Basically my fundraising cheerleader that gives me great ideas and reminds me that God called me. She rocks.
11. How can I help?
First and foremost, I need your prayers, but if God lays it on your heart to support me, click the Support Me button and it will take you to the super simple online donation form! All donations are tax deductible!
I find it so fitting to end this Q&A on the 11th question, but seriously, if you have any more questions, do not hesitate to ask! I love talking about this new direction for my life! God bless!
