Why the World Race?
So, most of you already know this, but in July I will be leaving to go on a mission trip all around the world. It’s called The World Race (no, not the Amazing Race, although it WILL be amazing!) and it’s an 11 month mission trip to 11 different countries!!
I will be traveling with about 60-70 other people (aged 21-35) to minister and serve in each of the eleven different countries. Within each country, we will be divided into small teams and partnered with local Christian organizations to work and serve with them for the month. We will do whatever it takes and whatever is needed every day, including construction, vacation Bible school, caring for and loving on orphans, helping the sick and needy, and helping and praying with girls trapped in human trafficking. Every day will be focused on being God’s hands and feet in the world. We will start in Ireland, and then we will travel to Ukraine, Russia, Tanzania, Kenya, Mozambique, Nepal, India, Cambodia, Malaysia, and one country in Asia that is TBD.
So why the World Race? In light of the 11 countries in 11 months, here are 11 reasons why I am going on the World Race:
- I think it’s more, why NOT the World Race? Even though I never dreamed anything like this for me, all things God was placing on my heart over the past few years have been gently pointing me toward this. Everything about it is perfect for God’s plan for me. (Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.)
- Because this is what God has called me to do. To feed His sheep and care for the least of these. (John 21:16 And Jesus said "Do you love me? Take care of my sheep.")
- God called me to love orphans. Ever since I first saw a Russian orphanage on the showAdoption Stories when I was about 12, I've known I was to work in an orphanage. I want to love on children who have never felt love. I want to tuck them into their beds at night, read them a story and wish them goodnight. I want them to feel safe and understand what it means to be loved. (James 1:27 – Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.)
- I am going to these countries to SHOW people what LOVE is. You see, many people in these countries grew up without parents, or parents that abused or abandoned them and for many, everyone in their lives has REJECTED them. To just TELL them that Jesus loves them means NOTHING to them, they don’t KNOW what that means. But to GO and SIT with them and CARE for them and LOVE on them and just BE with them, we can DEMONSTRATE Christ’s love to them. (Colossians 2:2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.)
- I want my life to have a purpose. I always thought I would just be a typical American girl doing the typical American dream, but even though I loved my job and my life, at 25 years old I already felt trapped in the “Rat Race”. Every day as I drove to work, I couldn’t help but wonder “Why am I doing this? What is my purpose for me being here?” I want my life to serve God and discover the bigger picture and fulfill my purpose for being on this Earth. (Colossians 3:2 Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.)
- I want to build my confidence and come to understand my value in Christ. Over the past few years God has been molding me out of the shy, quiet, reserved Katie that I have always been known as and shaping me into something so much better. This year on the World Race is the next step of that process. It’s totally out of my “normal” comfort zone and something I used to say I would never do, because I was too afraid. But God is taking all my fears away and replacing it with excitement, not in just the trip itself, but excitement in what He is going to do with my life. (Jeremiah 18:4 But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.)
- Struggles in my life recently have revealed to me how weak my faith really has been. I have come to realize I spent so much time working, going to school, serving in ministry, and just doing life that I had neglected my relationship with God. As a result, I would fall easily when things got tough. Now that my eyes have been opened to how much I missed and how much I need Him, I have an incredible hunger to grow closer to him and to do His will. This next year will not only allow me to use my God-given gifts to help others, but will require me to fully depend on God to do so, thus strengthening my relationship with Him. (Psalm 63:1-5 You God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you)
- I want to be challenged, pushed, broken, stretched, and strengthened from this journey and come to know and rely on God as I never have before. (1 Peter 4:11b If anyone serves they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ).
- My life is like being an extra in a movie… a movie about God! My whole life is just a teeny TINY fraction of a second in this movie, and the movie is most definitely not about ME! My part is simply to add to the background and setup of the movie, and to give glory to the star of the movie, God! I want to stop living a selfish life forgetful of God. I want my life to point toward him and bring him the glory he deserves! My life is short and nothing matters except our God and King! (Mark 12:30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength).
- I am unworthy of being considered a ‘missionary’. I am just a regular, messed up girl. But I love Jesus and I want to bring that love to those who have never heard his name. I want everyone to experience the love and trust and peace I feel in Him and to understand it as well. (Acts 20:24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given to me- the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.)
- Lastly, when I knew I was supposed to go into the world and do international missions, I started getting overwhelmed. How do I choose WHICH country? Then I came across the World Race, which means I will be able to help in 11 countries, not just one! How perfect is that? J(Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.)
Obviously, I cannot do this alone! First, I will need all the prayer I can get! To the left, you can sign up for blog updates and you will receive an email when I post updates of things that are happening and particular prayer requests that come up. Right now, of course, the biggest prayer need is finances and comfort. I have lots of money to raise, lots of fundraisers to organize and lots of things I need to buy for my trip, so prayers of comfort are much appreciated. I know God will provide and all my needs will be met, but occasionally I slip and start thinking of doing this on my own and the task at hand seems overwhelming.
Second, I need financial supporters. If you would, please prayerfully consider supporting this adventure with me. The cost of this World Race Route is $15,500; this goes towards all team costs once the trip begins (food, lodging, air, land, sea travel, and training costs) from July 2012 to June 2013. The contributions from people on my monthly or one-time support team will go directly towards the cost of the World Race, and donations are tax-deductible. I am thankful for your willingness to consider the opportunity to partner with me on this journey! If you would like to contribute, you can click the "Support Me" tab on the left and receive instructions there.
Thank you for reading this and for your prayers!
In Isaiah 6:8, Isaiah hears the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" Here I am, Lord. Send me.
