Typically after I tell someone about the World Race their first question is, “You have to raise $18,000?!” and once the shock wears off they follow up with, “Why are you doing this ‘Race’ thing?”.
I’ll be honest, all my heart wants is for someone to ask me why.
The World Race is an 11 month mission trip to 11 different countries. My team and I will spend one month in each country and partner with local ministries/churches for the sake of bringing the Gospel to the ends of the Earth. Our ministry will likely look different month to month-maybe teaching English as a second language, volunteering in orphanages, building/painting/manual labor of any kind, or simple street ministry. My specific route will include Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, India, Nepal, Lesotho, South Africa, Rwanda, and Uganda.
I first found out about the World Race in 2014 when my college RA told me about a friend of hers that was going on the Race. Immediately, I was intrigued and started researching the organization and the trip. I stayed up late watching vlogs of various Racers and their experiences and knew in my heart that I would one day be in their shoes. So for five years I’ve talked to family, friends, pastors, and mentors about my heart’s longing to go on the Race. And now, in just 8 months, I finally get to go! But why has this desire been sustained over all these years?
When I gave my life to the Lord in 2012 I remember sitting in an auditorium at Johnson University in Knoxville, Tennessee trying to imagine what a lifetime with Jesus would consist of. I didn’t know much, but I felt in my heart that I would spend time overseas for the namesake of Christ. Not even a year later I was in Colombia working with a deaf ministry and doing construction on a church building there. I quickly fell in love with traveling, experiencing new cultures, and God himself. I knew after that trip that I wanted to go overseas long term in some capacity.
My heart longs to see the poor, broken, marginalized, abandoned, forgotten, and powerless people of this world loved. To be told of their value. To be reminded of their worth. To be shown their purpose. Oh how my heart aches for the ‘less than.’ More than anything I want others to know and experience the love of Christ like I have. The love that redeemed my heart and now allows me to commune with the One True God. The love that saved me from my brokenness and has made me whole again.
So I’ll go. With a willing and obedient heart, I will leave behind the comforts of the modern world, my family in close proximity, my friends who support me, my air-conditioning and indoor plumbing, my Taco Bell 0.6 miles from my house-I’ll leave it all behind because people are worth it. The Gospel is worth it.
The Gospel is worth it.
