So I understand many of you may be wondering just why I'd want to go to all these far off, crazy places? Or why I'd be willing and excited to live out of my backpack and tent for a year?
Well, it really comes down to one thing: Jesus. He has wrecked my life so much already, that I decided I wanted to radically follow him to literally the ends of the earth.
"Go therefore and make disciples of ALL NATIONS, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." Matthew 28:19
Yes, that is right, I said Jesus wrecked my life. He showed me how horrible, depraved, and hopeless I was without him, but when I decided to surrendur my life to him, he took all these broken pieces that were me and put them back together to mirror him. You see, he did something I could never do on my own: He gave me new life and made me whole.
"And He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; FOR BY HIS WOUNDS, YOU WERE HEALED." 1 Peter 2:24
"…I came so that they may have LIFE, and have it abundantly." John 10:10
So Jesus came in my life and changed it drastically. I began to find my identity in HIM, and so I wanted to live like he did and strive to make my steps match his. Jesus lived a radical life of loving others and speaking truth, and that is exactly what I want to do. God was at work in my life, long before my salvation, growing a desire within me to want to travel and experience other cultures, as well as a curiosity about the people around the world. He supplemented that after my salvation with a love for people, and an even stronger desire to live out his will in sharing the gospel with others.
"How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How then will they believe in Him in whom they have not heard? And how then will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written 'Beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!' "
Romans 10:14-15
I found out about the World Race one fateful day, over a year ago, when I was dissatisfied with school, routines, and the bore of the American Dream and tupical american lifestyle. I wanted more! I didn't want some comfortable life, I wanted to live a radical life for Jesus, and to let him make my life an adventure, and one that glorifies Him. So I did a Google search for mission trips, and I read about a few, but the World Race just really stuck out. I began to read people's blogs and I was fascinated, intrigued, and quickly realised it probably wasn't a coincidence that I just stumbled across this trip. There are no coincidences with God.
Fast forward, and a year later, I am getting closer to graduation and wondering what I'm going to do after. The World Race had been in the back of my mind this whole time, and the fact that it was so close, it could actually be a reality was thrilling.
I had some setbacks, however. You see, I have a medical condition called Narcolepsy. It is a sleep disorder that affects my daily life. I take two different kinds of medicine to help me try to function normally. I do fairly well on my meds, but this condition brought about a lot of doubt, and a slew of questions.
Would I be able to take my medicine with me, or get it while I'm abroad?
Would I be useful, or will I have to be sitting back taking naps all the time while everyone else works?
Those were just a few I had, of many.
However, I came to the realization that, My God is bigger than my illness. He takes care of me every day while I am here in comfy america, how much more will he take care of me when I'm out in these crazy, unfamiliar places? He will provide for my every need! I believe it and trust him, and through this trip I am confident he will test me, and increase my trust and faith in him.
"And my God will supply ALL YOUR NEEDS according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
Phillipians 4:19
"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think…To HIM be the Glory…"
Ephesians 3:20-21
I am so thankful for the people who supported me, helped me realize this and come to this conclusion. When I was contemplating what I would do, I remember saying, "I trust God, but, –" then I paused, and realized, there is no 'but'. Either you trust God or you don't. I had to check myself there. I was doubting God's abilities. I mean, He is the creator of the universe. If you haven't noticed lately, the universe is working pretty well on its own, and it's crazy complex! How much more can God work out the small problems in my life?!
So all that was left to do was apply for the trip, and by God's grace, I was accepted, so HERE I AM!!
SO TOTALLY EXCITED ABOUT GOING ON THE WORLD RACE!!
Thank you for reading and stay posted friends 🙂
