Hello, reader! Thank you for joining me, I appreciate my audience more than words can express.
So, I hope you are asking yourself, “what does she mean by ‘what this is not about?'” I am going to tell you exactly what this mission trip is not about.
1. This is not about sight seeing, nor for leisure travel
I am not doing the World Race just to see 11 different countries, or visit landmarks that would make for a good post card. I’m not doing this just to get away and see the world. I am doing this for exactly what it is: missions. The World Race is an 11 month long mission trip. It’s not just a ‘trip of a lifetime.’ It’s a trip that will change my personal life, my squad mates lives, and the lives of all the people we meet and minister to along the way.
2. This is not about being comfortable
This trip is meant to take the racer and put them in a position where they are well out of their comfort zone. This trip is about camping in a tent for the majority of 11 months, it’s about sweating and getting down in the dirt of Africa, it’s about waking up early and going to bed late because you’ve been ministering to the nomads in Mongolia. It’s about bringing hope to the largely islamic region of Malaysia, loving on gypsies in Albania, or brining a healing touch to lives affected by HIV/AIDs in Rwanda.
3. This is not just about sharing the gospel
This is about showing the gospel. I don’t want to just tell people about Jesus, i want to show them Jesus. I want to bring the hope of Jesus to countries torn by war, like the children in Uganda that are forced to join the LRA. I want to roam the hills and feed the hungry in Guatemala. I want to show the youth in Honduras that they are worthy of God’s love, that gangs are not their only source of fellowship.
So, what else is this about?
It’s about faith.
Raising $16,916 takes faith. Trusting that I will be safe for 11 months whilst traveling to 11 countries takes faith. Believing that I can make a difference in the world takes faith. Joining the October route instead of continuing with the January took faith, and it’s still taking faith.
But, I have this hope as an anchor for my soul (Hebrews 6:19.) I have faith that can move mountains. I have belief that trumps all doubt and frustration.
Is this trip a big commitment? Undoubtedly. But it’s a love commitment. I’m committed to sharing Jesus, helping the poor, feeding the hungry, healing the sick, raising the dead, cleansing the leper, and casting out demons (Matthew 10:8.) It’s about loving those who need love, and it’s always been about love. I wouldn’t do this for any other reason. All I have is love. I have been given so much love by the God who created me, I know and experience it and I can’t hold it back from a world that is so desperate for loves touch.
I am so excited to go on this journey with God, with you dear reader, with my squad mates, and with the hundreds of people I will meet and help along the way.
If you have been touched by this I want to ask you to pray for me and my squad. Pray for our faith, for our finances, for our hearts and minds to be ready for what lies ahead.
If you want to get involved in helping me go, I would ask that you consider sponsoring me financially. I have a goal of $5,000 due by July 22nd, and the next big goal of $10,000 due by Sept. 16th. The third goal is $13,000 due November 30th, and my final goal of $16,916 is due by January 31st. Don’t forget, all donations are tax deductible!
I appreciate any monetary donations you can give, whether big or small. I appreciate all prayers you lift up, whether they be long or short. I appreciate all words of wisdom and encouragement you have to offer, whether you’re older or young.
I just really appreciate you, and that you care enough about myself and my mission to read this post.
I love you, and I mean that!
With love,
Katie Hope
