Hey, everybody! Holy cow this does not even feel real yet. I am so excited to finally share with y’all that I will be going to Thailand, Guatemala, and Ethiopia beginning in September 2019. Finding out about the world race and applying has been one of the most anxious experiences of my life. I have learned how to put my faith in the Lord and trust in him more than ever. It’s so cool because I know that feeling is only going to grow bigger over the nine months I will be on the mission field. The journey so far has been so enriching and getting the opportunity to be the hands and feet of the Lord to people across the world is something that fills my heart with joy like nothing else. I wake up every morning eager because I am one day closer to launch.
I feel like I have always been a person to go with the flow and follow the crowd. So when some people found out I would be taking a gap year instead of going straight to college they were confused. However, for me this seemed like the right choice. I knew in my heart that God was calling me to be something more. I could feel that pull on my heart. This feeling is not something I have always known or been aware of. I did not have any interest in pursuing this journey until the end of junior year. I found myself in a situation that left me broken and hopeless. I no longer felt the Lords presence- even though he was there the whole time. I knew that going right to college was not the right choice- spiritually for me. When I was in my most vulnerable state and was as broken as a person can be I found the bible verse Genesis 50:20, “You intended to harm me but God intended it for good”. I can quite honestly say that this bible verse saved my life. I was so close to giving up but once I read those words I saw hope and I knew there had to be something else for me in my story. I felt that God had something greater for me. And he did and still does. I began to pray and beg him to lead me where he wants me to go. He led me to The World Race. This ministry has been the biggest blessing in my life, and the people are beyond words. Today I finally got into contact with the people on my squad and it is so beautiful. We have been exchanging addresses so we can send each other mail and someone is even making a playlist with all of our favorite songs so we can listen to it on the race. These people already have my whole entire heart.
Even with all of the joy in my heart I would be lying if I told you I was not overwhelmed. Meeting all of these incredible people I feel intimidated. But I am trusting in the fact that the Lord chose me for a reason. Another reason I have been feeling anxious is FUNDRAISING!!!! I have to raise over $16,000. Crazy, right? NO! Because I am trusting that the Lord will provide. It will take a lot of effort on my part, but I am full of faith.
I would like to invite you guys on this journey with me! Subscribe to this blog so you can receive updates on how I am preparing to launch and how things are going once I am gone. Expect lots of pictures!!! I would also like to ask for your help. First, prayers! Right now I need faith and guidance from the Lord more than ever and I need your help! Second, if you feel compelled to give or donate I would greatly appreciate it and will be sending you millions of hugs. Any amount will help and be so so so appreciated. Please pray over this and consider supporting me! If you would like to know how to donate there are actually many ways to do so. 1) Via my world race blog- and look! you are already here! 2) Cash can be donated directly to me and I will deposit it into my account 3) You can Venmo me if you love Venmo like I do! My username is @Madison-Carter-19. Again, anything will help.
I absolutely can not wait to go into the world and be the hands and feet of the Lord and serve others. I am so beyond excited to dedicate 9 months of my life to serving others in some of the coolest places on the planet. Thank you so much for reading my blog post. I am so pumped to go on this journey with everyone! Please check back in because there is for sure more to come! Lots of love and God bless!
