The World Race: Month 9 – Thailand – Crickets for Breakfast! from Julie Kolins on Vimeo.
It’s crazy to me how many people I’ve met since applying for the World Race that have known exactly what I’m talking about. “Oh yeah, the World Race, my friend is on that now/ went on that/ is going on that soon!” The Lord has been so faithful to set me up with people who can reassure me that this is a REAL THING and it IS POSSIBLE.
If you are NOT one of those people who already know what I’m talking about, this post is for you!
The World Race is a mission trip to 11 countries in 11 months (one country per month) with an organization called Adventures in Missions (AIM). The World Race is an opportunity for anyone age 21-35 (that’s me!) to abandon their worldly possessions and their comfortable lifestyle in order to immerse themselves and serve others in a series of real, raw communities around the world. For me, this sounded too good to be true, and I sometimes experience a creeping suspicion that I made it up.
Sometimes we’ll sleep in beds, sometimes we’ll sleep in tents. Sometimes we’ll eat oatmeal for breakfast…sometimes we’ll eat crickets. We won’t always know where we’re going. In fact, there will be a whole month where we will leave our schedules, ministry, and home entirely up to the Lord to reveal to us. (“But what if you don’t find somewhere to stay??” Sounds cool to me. The Lord is in control.) Sometimes we’ll do organized ministry, but we’ll ALWAYS be listening for the Spirit’s leading, even if He is calling us to blindly walk across a village to find that one widow who needs prayer.
If you know me at all, you probably know that this is perfect. I sleep on my floor for Pete’s sake. Beds are too squishy. I’ve been known to take naps on my cement back porch. I am positively obsessed with new cultures. They reveal the Lord’s beauty and the diversity of His people. Like a giant tapestry that He has woven together with beautiful threads (us) that each have a place and a purpose. I am halfway through school and looking for a passion for which to continue. I desire to serve the Lord with all of my heart and with all of my time and my life. If I am going to find a ministry that I am made for, there is a good chance I will find it on this trip. 11 different types of ministries within a year!
I will be traveling with a squad of 40+ people, then splitting off with a team of 6-8 people (yes…community living for a year…oh the challenges…but oh the GROWTH!) as we serve God’s people and immerse ourselves in the cultures of Peru, Bolivia, Chile, India, Nepal, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malawi, and Zambia. We will be leaving in the first week of January.
I won’t talk (type?) your ear (eyes?) off anymore, unless you continue to follow this blog. I simply wanted you to know what this World Race thing is and why I’m doing it. I love you all, and would love if you asked me more about the Race! (If you can’t tell I’m pretty stoked about it.)
In Christ,
Laura Spence
P.S. This is just a small part of my new family (my squad). We are loving getting to know each other…these people are AMAZING and hilarious!!
