Hey there!
If you have clicked on this blog and are reading, thank you. Thank you for your interest in this incredible journey I’m about to embark on in a few short months. The best way to stay informed of the most current information is by coming over to this blog which is why it’s important you click that subscribe button below my photo to know when new updates have arrived. I will continue to update this blog, while on the field. Social media access will be limited. You’ll want to be connected here.
All you need is an e-mail address, so super easy.
People have lots and lots of questions, and with the help of my girl Savannah, another future World Racer on my squad and wonderful girl who I can’t wait to get to know out on the field and do life with, I am here today with answers. My hope is that this clarifies and helps answer any of those questions you might have, so without further ado let’s get started:
Q: What is The World Race?
A: The World Race is a program through ADVENTURES IN MISSIONS. It is an 11 month missions adventure to 11 countries. Participants go through an application and interview process for a specific ROUTE. My route trains in August and launches in October 2018. I will return to the United States around September 2019. I will return to Georgia, USA approximately 1 month after The World Race, for an additional debrief session with October squads.
My route is October Route 2:
Asia (Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia)
Africa (Lesotho, Swaziland, South Africa)
Central/South America (Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador)
Hashtags I frequently use: #Worldrace #11n11 #GreatCommission #SpreadingGodsLove #ToTheEndsOfTheEarth
Q: Why are you raising $18,200? Why so much? Where does the money go?
A: The cost of my program is $18,200 to cover all costs of travel and living abroad. This includes everything from visas, airplane tickets, food, missionary health insurance, to ministry costs. This money goes directly to Adventures in Missions. I do not handle any of the money raised. It is processed through AIM headquarters in Georgia. Any additional money raised over my assigned amount, does not go to me, but a general fund for AIM. Therefore, I will notify all supporters when I am FULLY FUNDED.
More on raising funds…
I am encouraged to fundraise the entire amount, rather than contribute my own funds…. so it’s more like SUPPORT RAISING… this process is more than funds. When people give monetarily, it’s so so much more than that. They then become a part of this story, they have a strategic part and will be out on the field with me each and every day. Not physically however, but they can tangibly see where their gift is going, how it’s is enriching and blessing the lives of others as it allows me to be the hands and feet of Jesus. This mission is a partnership. I am merely just a vessel of the community, the Church, and JESUS CHRIST. There in no greater calling and I don’t take it lightly.
Sub question: What will you do about money on the race?
I am currently saving personal money (from my job) for unforeseen, emergency situations, small gifts for family/friends/hosts, and occasional soul-care adventures during our time-off. This money DOES NOT come from any donations received. Other personal expenses that are out-of-pocket: backpacks, tent, sleeping bag, compression packs and various other things…), vaccinations, medicines, etc. This is our way to personally contribute toward the mission.
DEADLINES:
7/20……….$5,000
9/21……….$10,000
10/1………..Launch
11/30……..$13,000
1/31……….$18,200
Q: Who are you going with?
A: My route consists of approximately 40+ individuals (young professionals)… this is my SQUAD. As a squad, we will travel together to the same countries and meet-up for occasional debrief and leadership weekends. However, our ministry locations and work will differ. Upon arrival of a country, we will split into TEAMS. Teams are 5-7 individuals who DO LIFE together. We are with each other 24/7. We give each other genuine FEEDBACK everyday to help sharpen each other (this is a real thing… every single day!) and we submit weekly CELEBRATIONS & CHALLENGES to leadership for accountability and encouragement. Each person in a team has a team role, decided by leadership during TRAINING CAMP. These roles include a team leader, treasurer, communications point-person, and more. Teams will likely change 1-2 times, while abroad. Training camp will be held for ten days in the middle of August in Georgia, USA. Training camp is all about team building and preparing physically, mentally, and spiritually. This is six weeks before LAUNCH. Launch takes place a few days in October in Georgia, USA before we travel to our first country. This is the final training and preparation. Loose itineraries will be assigned.
While abroad, the squad is backed by a squad-specific leadership team. This includes SQUAD LEADERS, alumni Racers who travel some with us and identify/raise up new squad leaders within our squad to lead. We also have a marvelous crew of SQUAD MOBILIZERS, MENTORS, COACHES, TRAINERS, COORDINATORS… and more! We are well cared for!
Q: Who are you staying with?
A: We will stay with local ministry hosts, called CONTACTS. We join the work of the local church through these contacts. If our contact does not speak English, we will have access to an interpreter. Our contact teaches us about their country and cultural expectations. Most times, we will pay our contacts upon arrival for boarding arrangements. (However, there are times when we stay in our tents for the month and do our own grocery shopping via team budget!)
We will not know much about our contacts until launch, and even then, we are given limited information. This information is subject-to-change (AND OFTEN DOES!), so leadership prepares Racers to not maintain ANY expectations.
Lots of people inquire on specifics about province/state/city/village… simply, we do not know and will likely not know until arrival in that country.
PSA: Another reason to SUBSCRIBE FOR UPDATES… so you can know where in the world we are and what kind of work we are doing. Exciting stuff, right??
Q: What are you doing in each country?
A: We will join in God’s work, often through our contacts. Some months we may be charged to choose-your-own-adventure and make new contacts for future Racers.
We will participate in many service-oriented projects (manual labor, construction, farming, hiking into villages, cutting grass with machetes), build relationships with contacts and locals through encouragement and love, teach English, and even preach.
We will have some “time-off” to engage, explore, reflect, and refresh. It seems like from previous world racers the weeks usually consist of five full-force work days, one adventure day, and then one rest day. This could change. We will have to see as the time comes.
I hope this answers some of your questions. With each day that passes the anticipation is growing and growing. It is scary how fast time is going, the days to launch are flying by. But my heart is so ready to do this thing and live out this calling he has placed in this season of my life.
Can’t wait for you to follow the journey.
So hit that subscribe button.
Much love to you ALL.
