Hello!
My name is Malia Pearson (if you didn’t already know that!) and here’s a little bit about the journey God has brought me on so far.
My grandparents were missionaries in Alaska, so I’ve grown up with that legacy and picture of what it looks like to serve people in that way. Even though my grandpa has technically retired, he still spends his days contacting and praying for people he served. That’s definitely a legacy I look up to. I’ve always had an interest in going overseas to see how other people live, be able to love and serve wherever I go, and share Jesus. I heard about the World Race about 3 years ago from a friend and thought it sounded like an amazing opportunity! The biggest thing that held me up was that concept of “when helping hurts.” I wanted to make sure that what we would be doing would be beneficial (in every sense of the word) to the people we serve and to the contacts, rather than being a burden. Thus, it took a couple years until this last winter when I talked with someone who had been on the WR and she eased my concerns. She said that each team has the freedom to support and mold to whatever the contact needs. On one of her months her team primarily focused on supporting and caring for their contact which was a missionary family that was just burnt out. Our contacts are the people who are there long term, so this trip is a lot about supporting and encouraging them in the work that God has them doing. It was after that (and a couple of people pushing me along) that I prayed and made the decision to move forward with the WR. I know that God is going to grow me in so many ways (because he has already!), and I am excited/nervous/ready for this journey to continue. Please follow me while I’m on the race to hear what’s going on. It’ll be like you’re right there with me!
