My first blog! I must admit I have been nervous to start
writing on here… BUT, that is overshadowed by how excited I am for the
adventure that will begin in 3 months! Let me tell you a little about how I
have come to this point…
The World Race is a Christian organization that takes 21-31
years olds around the world, helping wherever it is needed: in orphanages,
homeless shelters, teaching English, building churches. The goal is to bring
Christ’s love to places where people are hurting or struggling and providing
them with basic needs and love, hope and encouragement. Each team travels to 11
countries in 11 months.
I have had the “travel bug” for about 3 years now. I
remember my junior year of college craving to go out and experience the world
in a real, authentic way. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely LOVED my college
years, but I felt the longing that there was more in this world to see and experience.
The summer before my junior year of college, I went on a mission trip to China,
teaching English and forming relationships with Christians there. This trip
opened my eyes so much, seeing how fortunate we are to have our freedoms and
rights in the United States. Many of our Christian friends had been persecuted
and had to hide their religious beliefs. Their faith was a daily battle. And
yet, they were the kindest, most generous people I have ever met. It made me
think, of how much we Americans have (possessions, money, freedoms,
opportunities) and yet so often we are so caught up in it all that we are not
thankful, but rather become obsessed with protecting these blessings.
After graduating from Cal Poly with my teaching credential,
I looked into teaching abroad. I attended a teaching abroad job fair, applied
for positions but the job market was extremely difficult at the time,
especially for teachers with only one year of experience. When it became clear
the teaching abroad option was not meant to be (for now), I starting thinking
about doing a mission trip. One afternoon I googled “mission trips” and the
World Race was the first site to appear. I clicked on it and immediately fell
in love with the idea of seeing the world while helping those in need, and
being in a Christian environment, developing and pursuing my faith. What an
opportunity for God to use my life and help me to know Him better. I was also
thrilled at the opportunity to live solely out of a backpack and leave behind
my possessions and distractions. The World Race incorporates everything I had
been looking for! God knew what he was doing when he directed me on my search
that day. J
I will be leaving with the October 2010 World Race squad!! I
am so excited for this adventure, for the people I will meet along the way, the
relationships we will form amongst our team and the things our eyes will be
opened to. I can’t wait to look back in a year and reflect on all I’ve learned
since this first post. It will definitely be a life-changing year!
