This blog is more about how I heard about the World Race and why I have chosen to continue in this opportunity. Enjoy!
What I was going to do:
I graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University in May of this year with a degree in Marine Science. Originally, the plan was to graduate and then move to New Zealand for a year, but I felt the Lord was calling me to stay home for another year. With my post-grad travel plans changing and not exactly sure what to do, I signed up for an organization called World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF). I did this for 2 months in Alaska and lived with two amazing families! I made the entire summer a post-grad adventure/trip, visiting friends and exploring Colorado, Washington, Oregon, and Missouri, while also getting some experience through WWOOF. Once I got home in August, I figured I would work for a year, while interning with my church in family ministries (which God quickly revealed this type of ministry wasn’t for me). Then when my apartment lease was up, I would head out again (but that’s as much as I had planned). I figured if I didn’t travel (out of the country) directly after college, I would just do so in the next year, so I started looking into Australia work visas. I would get to go back to the country where I studied abroad and found such a love for traveling, being surrounded by different cultures, and meeting new people. Then all of that was once again interrupted.
A glimpse of missions:
Back in February, during class one day I found myself on the Mission of Hope Haiti website. God had put on my heart the desire to go on a mission trip, I just wasn’t sure when. About 30 minutes later, one of my friends (who had interned with Mission of Hope) texted me saying “Hey I’m going to Haiti. Want to come with me?” I immediately replied “UM YES!!”
There was a group of world racers in Haiti while I was there that I got to talk to and hear more about the World Race and what they have done. Once I got home, that’s when I started to do more research. Was this something that I could even do? Physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually?
Losing hope in trials:
Being in Fort Myers was not my ideal situation after graduation. I wanted to be anywhere but here. I still want to be elsewhere. Open-ended waiting is hard. Waiting in general is hard. It can really suck because as humans, especially in today’s society, we lack patience. We like everything in our timing, which is now.
I had no idea why I was called to stay in Fort Myers, a place where I’ve been ready to leave for a long time. I graduated and had no obligations to be here, yet here I was. I could’ve chosen to go to New Zealand or Australia. I could’ve chosen not to sign an apartment lease and stay in the place I grew up. But doing so would have been me failing to listen to what God has planned for me. He knew traveling and being in the mission field were desires of mine. He knew that I would apply and get accepted. He knew that if I was anywhere but in Fort Myers that I wouldn’t have the community that pushes me towards him, that keeps me accountable, and that loves me more than I realize. So I know in this season of preparation and anticipation for what is next, I need to be where my feet are. I need to be present in this community and this place until God brings me to the next. “You belong in the places that know your name (Fort Myers) and places that don’t yet know you’re coming for them (World Race).” – Come Matter Here (Hannah Brencher)
**Although I’m not sure what it will look like yet, I still would love to have a career in Environmental Science, something that will allow me to educate and help others, while also sharing my love for the environment.
The Race:
So with all of that being said, I can confidently say that I am extremely excited for these next few months of preparation and for launch in October. I may not be one hundred percent ready to head out, but I know God is preparing me in everyway for when launch comes around in October. Come August I will have a 10 day training camp, where I not only get to physically be in Georgia preparing for the race, but I get to meet so many new people. I get to meet my squad, other squads going on different routes, and I get to find out who my teammates are for launch!
ROUTE CHANGE:
The route did change, but only by one country. The Philippines has been a country that I have desperately wanted to visit for the longest time, but it will just have to be another time. Myanmar was introduced to us recently and the Philippines will no longer be on our route. I was a little upset about this because I had never even heard about Myanmar until we got the email, but I know that this country could use a whole lot of love and Jesus. So to better set us up for success the Philippines has been replaced with Myanmar. This updated route will be more culturally and geographically congruent, allowing us to go to Asian countries that share the same ethnic group (the Malay people). This will allow us to better connect with the Malay culture, as well as those we will be serving with/alongside in Asia.
So our new route order is: Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Benin, Ghana, Cote D’Ivoire, Nepal, India, Myanmar, Thailand, and Malaysia!
So thankful for all of the support and love I have received so far!
Until all have heard,
Kristen
