I’m not a blogger yet, but one day I responded to a friend of mine via Facebook message about why I decided to go on The World Race. Here’s how those messages went:
Hey lady! Loved seeing your face tonight! We must do that more often especially since you are leaving! 🙂
Couple of things….
So I might be doing a RA program about world missions:
1.) Could you explain to me a little more about the WR?
2.) What are your personal reasons for doing this?
3.) Why should we help people through the WR?
🙂 🙂
Miss you! Can’t wait to see you!
Couple of things….
So I might be doing a RA program about world missions:
1.) Could you explain to me a little more about the WR?
2.) What are your personal reasons for doing this?
3.) Why should we help people through the WR?
🙂 🙂
Miss you! Can’t wait to see you!
(Here are my answers:)
1) The World Race is a program that takes its participants out of their comfort zones, giving them the opportunity to live in a lifestyle free of materialism while serving people that are often forgotten. We are asked to raise the funds needed to go, which total $14,300. It can be assumed that most people will not have this kind of money readily available. I’m finding that the support(fund) raising process itself is causing my faith to increase and be tested and is actually a brilliant idea to cause a person to rely on God’s goodness and provision before they head onto the mission field. I’m finding that if people have the same values as you, care about you or care about missions, that they are willing to help!
2)This is the first time I’ve tried to put this on “paper.” Two years ago I was working as a secretary for a small Christian school for my third year, as well as having a few side jobs. As the school year began, I began feeling unsatisfied with my life. I was tired of having so many material possessions and not feeling that my day to day life had much passion and purpose involved. Turning 30 was on the horizon and probably had something to do with it. I would also like to mention here that I felt competent and very much appreciated by my bosses and co-workers. I was just restless. I thought about selling my most of my things, putting the rest in storage, and going somewhere to do something that would be a challenge for me. No make-up, TV, none of that. Just serving people. These new feelings didn’t fit in well with my life at the time. I had 3.5 jobs (seriously), and I was living alone. That winter, a friend told me about The World Race and how she was so excited at the chance to do it. I don’t know whether my jaw dropped literally, but that’s how I felt inside. I was envious! It sounded so amazing! A few months after that, a missionary that my church supports came to talk about what was going on with his church in Zambia. Something happened during that service that I can only explain as being called, or convicted. I was struck with the feeling, “I have to do that!” I didn’t know what to do or who to contact about it, but the feeling was urgent, kind of uncomfortable, and some crying was definitely involved. It later dawned on me that God had been busy changing the desires of my heart over those past few months. I prayed and prayed, and after a while thought that I might have to ignore this calling. I had my jobs and a house and how was someone supposed to become a missionary anyway?!
2)This is the first time I’ve tried to put this on “paper.” Two years ago I was working as a secretary for a small Christian school for my third year, as well as having a few side jobs. As the school year began, I began feeling unsatisfied with my life. I was tired of having so many material possessions and not feeling that my day to day life had much passion and purpose involved. Turning 30 was on the horizon and probably had something to do with it. I would also like to mention here that I felt competent and very much appreciated by my bosses and co-workers. I was just restless. I thought about selling my most of my things, putting the rest in storage, and going somewhere to do something that would be a challenge for me. No make-up, TV, none of that. Just serving people. These new feelings didn’t fit in well with my life at the time. I had 3.5 jobs (seriously), and I was living alone. That winter, a friend told me about The World Race and how she was so excited at the chance to do it. I don’t know whether my jaw dropped literally, but that’s how I felt inside. I was envious! It sounded so amazing! A few months after that, a missionary that my church supports came to talk about what was going on with his church in Zambia. Something happened during that service that I can only explain as being called, or convicted. I was struck with the feeling, “I have to do that!” I didn’t know what to do or who to contact about it, but the feeling was urgent, kind of uncomfortable, and some crying was definitely involved. It later dawned on me that God had been busy changing the desires of my heart over those past few months. I prayed and prayed, and after a while thought that I might have to ignore this calling. I had my jobs and a house and how was someone supposed to become a missionary anyway?!
As soon as my summer job began, I was told that I was being let go from my position at the school. Due to low student enrollment, sacrifices had to made to stay on budget. After the initial shock wore off, I began to realize that I could make some changes and take my life in a different direction. I supported myself for the next school year by subbing in my local school system and babysitting regularly. At the beginning of this summer I was asked to move out of the house i’d been living in for five years. The owners of the large farm where I lived needed more help on the farm. That extra help was to be provided with housing, which was where I lived. Understandably, after this I was feeling numb at times. My summer job helped get me through and my co-workers were so positive and encouraging. My friend who had gone on The World Race had just come back from her trip (I-Squad!) and was going to be working with me at the summer camp. She brought with her three other gals who she had met on the Race. I asked each of them all sorts of questions and every answer seemed to confirm in my heart that I had to sign up. As in, “I think I HAVE to do this.” So that’s just it- I have to do this or I’ll go on with life hating the fact that I didn’t listen to my heart and respond in obedience. Some particularly encouraging words from these WR gals were, “Don’t ever let money stop you from doing what God wants you to do,” and “God will never lead you where His grace will not cover you.” So I talked it over with my family and filled out the application. I submitted it on Friday, August 13th. My phone interview was Tuesday, the 17th, and I got a call saying I had been accepted on Thursday, the 19th. It feels as though life has been moving very quickly since then and now its nearly two months later.
I tell everyone that I’m doing The World Race. People either say they wish they could go, they ask for a support letter, or they ask if they can give me things that I hope to take with me, as in an ipod and netbook! People are lending me gear and going with me to advise me in my gear shopping.
I tell everyone that I’m doing The World Race. People either say they wish they could go, they ask for a support letter, or they ask if they can give me things that I hope to take with me, as in an ipod and netbook! People are lending me gear and going with me to advise me in my gear shopping.
I know this is from God because, 1) I feel that I was called 2) I’m not afraid (which is a big deal for me, an introvert) 3) I have peace about it.
3) Supporting others through The World Race is wonderful because, not only are you allowing a Racer to touch others in Jesus’ name, it also strengthens the universal Church of believers. Racers will return with new perspectives and open hearts that will still be yearning to help others. This opportunity, like so many others that are out there, help give attention to those that have been forgotten. Coming face to face with the reality of poverty and depravity leaves a mark that I don’t imagine will soon be forgotten. Whether or not you support someone financially, you can follow a Racer by subscribing to their WR blog. You can see exactly what your prayers and/or dollars are being used for. You become a partner with them because you helped send them there. You can stay in touch the whole time and report back to your church, friends, whomever happens to know the person or team you chose to support.
I hope this was what you’re looking for!
Loretta
