If you know me, you know that I’m passionate about living life with people, digging down roots and being Christ’s hands and feet in a neighborhood. So why leave Spokane after 2 years to travel to 11 countries in 11 months? Spending a month here and a month there seems so counter to how I’ve been seeking to live my life these past few years. Here’s why and since I’m a story teller – here’s my story:
Most of my life I’ve wanted to do some kind of missions. I went to Mexico with my high school youth group for a week at a time but always wanted to do more. When my high school youth group took a group to Ecuador I wanted to go but I was too young and didn’t have the right experiences so I didn’t apply. In college I applied for the yearly summer mission trips but never quite made the cut. I had this thought that maybe missions isn’t for me, maybe it’s not what God is calling me to. So I focused on ministry in the US instead.
After college I spent a year in New Orleans with Mission Year an inner-city ministry. This year really opened my eyes to the poor and oppressed in the US and taught me about living intentionally in a neighborhood. During these last 2 years in Spokane I’ve really had an opportunity to live this out and love it. However, there is still something about missions that draws me.
When I hear or read about world issues such as sex trafficking, the AIDS epidemic, or malnutrition I have a desire to go and help the people struggling with these issues but don’t really know what I can do. This is part of what draws me to the World Race. During my 11 months I will get to be part of loving on and bringing change to the lives of people dealing with these and other issues. I will also get to connect with missionaries and service organizations bringing real change in the lives of these people.
So why the World Race? This is my opportunity to go explore the mission field. To see how God is working in the world and join Him there. To be honest I don’t plan on becoming a missionary in another country (however God often changes my plans) but desire to bring what I learn and experience back to a neighborhood ministry here in the US.
