Ever since I got my acceptance call for the World Race Gap Year, I have been non-stop thinking about it and going on Pinterest looking up fundraising ideas, or things to do in each country (like bungee jumping or volcano surfing!), or what gear I need to get. I’ve gotten in a group chat with other people on my route which has made me even more excited! I love being a part of a community where we can all pray for each other and talk about how God impacts each of us daily, even through the beginning stages of this new adventure.
It’s still so crazy to think God brought me here. If you asked me 2 years ago (or even last year) where I saw myself today, I don’t think I would’ve said getting ready for a 9-month mission trip. I’ve always felt called to travel and to tell people about the love of Jesus, but I hadn’t put the two together. I thought God wanted me to go to college for four years, get a degree, get married, work overseas, and move home and settle down. I had my entire life planned out. But that’s not how God works. His plans are so much greater than mine, and I realized that once my own plans started to fall apart. I started school and did not feel like God wanted me there, I decided to change my major to something that wasn’t even offered at my college, and I went through a breakup. God let my plans fall apart so that His could fall into place. God reminded me of his love and his grace! Through my plans falling apart, He helped me grow closer to him and run into his open arms.
This past summer, God put a friend in my life who went on the World Race Gap Year 2016. I messaged him on Facebook when I saw he was going on another mission trip and told him I was praying for him and praying for God to work through them on their trip. When I told him I was thinking about doing the World Race GY, he answered questions and prayed for me. I thank God for putting that friend in my life because it opened so many doors I had refused to go through before because of doubt or fear.
Now that I’m officially accepted and committed to the World Race Gap Year, I have never felt closer to God or more passionate about mission work. I want to thank everyone who’s been there through this journey so far and everyone who’s been so supportive since I announced this crazy life change! Prayers would be extremely appreciated as my squad and I start fundraising and getting prepared for training camp this summer and launch in September! If you would like to donate to my trip, that would also be extremely appreciated! I have to raise about $16,000, so every little bit is helpful!! Thank you for reading, and make sure to subscribe to get updates on when I post new blogs and to stay updated on this journey. 🙂
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your path straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
