Family and Friends,
I am switching my WordPress blog over to World Race’s blog so that it’s easier for you to follow and receive updates from me, and so that you can see my fundraising grow. 🙂
There are going to be some excerpts from my previous blog that I transfer over to this one, and you can feel free to read my few posts on my decision-making process about the World Race on my other blog here: https://ifyouneverleavehome.wordpress.com/
Throughout my life there have been many times where I *haven’t* felt The Lord leading me. All of my friends around me felt The Lord leading them; whether that was being involved in the youth ministry, feeding the homeless, going on missions, etc., and I had always wanted God to lead me, as well.
Almost three years ago, The Lord placed it on my heart to get involved with the fight against human trafficking, and for three years have been extremely passionate and involved with several organizations in Houston. At the same time, I went through cosmetology and obtained my license so that I would have a job flexible enough to where I would be able to work with victims of human trafficking and not be interrupted by my work schedule. My passion for victims of human trafficking and putting an end to the horrific industry that plagues the United States and all of the world is still very large in my heart.
On top of my passions and obtaining my license, I have been going through some very recent struggles that have seriously tested my faith and trust in The Lord. I am astounded at His love and mercy towards me and everyone involved, and His compassion and grace are constantly flowing. I have found that I have wants that I hope are The Lord’s wants as well, but I am remembering that The Lord will sometimes ask us to wait on Him, and even though it’s crazy hard, His plans are the absolute best in the end.
Sunday, 7/19/15, Theresa Weatherford and I went to church and during taking communion, we joined in prayer, and felt the Holy Spirit placing missions on our hearts. Theresa and I have considered missions at several different points in our lives. We have always been open to the idea, but have never felt a push to go.
When we left church and were discussing it in the car, The World Race came into our minds, and we knew that it was very possible The Lord was specifically leading us to look into the Race. Theresa later on felt The Lord leading her to do other awesome things (which she will be talking about on her blog at some point, here: https://theweatherischanging.wordpress.com/ ).
The World Race ( http://theworldrace.org/ ) is a missions trip that covers 11 countries in 11 months, spreading the gospel, loving on people, focusing on the specific needs in each country; feeding the poor, rebuilding/construction, volunteering in orphanages, leading church services, ministering to victims of sex trafficking, and whatever other needs the area we are in requires. It is a rigorous, long and extremely vital journey, and I am so blessed to have been accepted to go on the Race in January 2016.
I am very excited and definitely terrified at the months leading up to the Race, and the Race itself. Your prayers for strength, peace and wisdom are greatly appreciated.
More posts to come, and I will be keeping you all updated on my financial progress, training camp/Race needs and prayer requests. You can easily donate on the homepage of my blog and it’s easy to keep track of my fundraising! Please subscribe to me to get email updates of when I post!
The Lord is teaching me a lot about trust through my fundraising process and it’s miraculous to watch Him work through all of my family and friends.
Thank you all so much for reading my post; it’s a little jumbly, haha.
Love,
Maddie
