Hello family and friends!
I hope and pray this letter finds you well. Many of you may be wondering why you are receiving this letter and what it concerns, if that’s you, let me explain… I have signed up to go on an 11 month mission trip to 11 different countries…. Here’s the back-story:
While working at my last job, a friend I knew from high school began her journey on something called The World Race, looking into it I found it was a mission’s trip that would be going to 3 different continents, over the course of nearly a year. Those joining would be “serving the least of these”, the timing seemed poor so it was not until sometime in late March of this year, that I started praying about The World Race as an actual possibility. I didn’t hear anything from God. I kept thinking how unrealistic it would be, I said to myself, “I’m unemployed, I need a job, I need to pay my loan off, I can’t just get up and leave my responsibilities”, and still God remained quiet. I decided to message a friend in missions who I trusted to give me wise advice and who would pray with me, she gave advice and scriptures to back up what she was telling me; one that really struck me was Colossians 3:15 that says, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart” as well as Psalm 37:5 that says, “Commit your way to The Lord, trust in Him and He will do this.” These scriptures helped me to press in and seek God, desiring only His will and path for my life. In the beginning of May I received a call from a woman named Mary who worked for Adventures in Missions (the main company that started The World Race) and she noticed I had clicked on a route that would launched in January of 2015 and wanted to know if had thought about applying. I told her what was going on and why I was hesitant in making a decision, she told me to keep praying about it and ask my parents to pray with me. In the next few days God was showing me that He does have a plan for my life, but that sometimes it is our job to walk in faith rather than sight, He may have two paths that lead to the same place but the stops are different. I felt the Holy Spirit leading me to apply and take that step of faith.
Before applying I wanted to discuss everything with my parents; I showed my Mom and Dad the website and videos of what The World Race is and what their mission is; how it is not only a mission trip, but an opportunity to find my calling and purpose in the Lord. I explained that I felt the Lord telling me to go; I shared the scripture from 1 Corinthians which talks of the single woman who is concerned with the Lords affairs and devoted to The Lord in body and spirit. I showed my parents the route I was considering and then I waited for their response. My parents told me they were proud of me for making such a difficult decision and knew I was called for a greater purpose, that this would be an incredible opportunity and that I shouldn’t pass it by. I was stunned, but ecstatic! This was what I was praying for! So with my parents’ blessing I applied for the January 2015 route.
The next day I decided to dig in once more in the job search, though I had been looking all along, I thought about the nearly $16,300 that would be needed or the race and that if I could hold a job for the next 5 months I would be able to provide a portion of the fundraising myself. So I applied for roughly 35 different jobs that afternoon, 2 positions were at Discover Financial Services. I heard nothing from The World Race nor any of the numerous job applications I had put in for 2 days. On the third day I got a call from Discover which entailed a phone interview as well as an invitation to come in for an interview the following day; The interview went better than I had thought, as within 2 hours of being home, I received a call from my interviewer, offering me a full time job in their Fraud Prevention department. I accepted the position! I was so thankful and was in tears praising God for His favor only to be interrupted by another call from the same Mary I had spoken with earlier that month, she told me my application had been accepted and I would be able to join The World Race!!! Wow! I was shocked and out of breath, I hardly had words to say thank you. I resumed crying and thanking God for His extreme favor in my life.
More had happened in those 5 days than had happened in the last 5 months I was unemployed. I had to give in, let God take the reins, and just walk in faith that the steps and decisions I was making were the ones God had in store for me. Once I was able to do this, WHAM! I got hit with so many blessings and open doors that I was truly overwhelmed. God is so good. I know that getting a job and then making the preemptive decision to quit 5 months later and go on a trip around the world may not be a popular one, but I 100% believe it is what God wants for my life. I know His plans are way bigger than I can imagine and I believe the next year and a half will be the most rewarding of my life thus far.
This letter is not only to inform you of the latest goings on in my life, but to ask you to consider being a part of funding this trip, as well as holding me up in prayer. I will face many challenges all throughout the World Race, but as I prepare for my departure, one of my greatest challenges will be financial support. Like most other missions organizations, World Race participants are required to fundraise financial support. As I mentioned before, the trip will roughly cost $16,300, the funds that I raise will cover all my field costs once the trip begins. This includes food, lodging, and all travel. The full amount is not due until my 6 month mark on the field (July 1, 2015) Here is a breakdown of money that is due and when:
$3,500 two weeks prior to Training Camp (Late October –November 2014)
$7,500 two weeks prior to Launch (January 2015)
$11,000 End of three months on the field (April 2015)
$15,500 End of six months on the field (July 2015)
The route I have chosen will take me to the following countries: Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, The Philippines, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Bulgaria, Moldova, Romania and Ireland I will live in poor conditions, often out of a tent, carry my belonging in a hiking pack. I will see children living in dire poverty, women selling themselves for money, people who are deathly ill. I will be a part of remote ministry, loving on orphans, healing of illnesses, people coming to Jesus. It will be life-changing. Jesus said, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19
As I take this large step of faith in trusting the Lord, will you prayerfully consider supporting me with a monthly or one time donation? If so, you may make a donation to the World Race page directly at www.katelynferrell.theworldrace.org, click on the donation tab on the left, or mail cash/check to 2645 East Kings Avenue, Phoenix, AZ, 85032. Cash/Check donations will most likely be used for supplies (frame backpack, tent, mummy bag and other misc. items) unless you elect otherwise.
If you would like more information on The World Race go to www.TheWorldRace.org
Blessings in Christ
