Hello Everyone! I would like to welcome each of you to my blog! The purpose of this particular blog is for you all to be able to get to know me a little better and for me to tell you about my World Race. I will try to keep it short, but the Lord has blessed me with a gift of wordiness and I tend to let that gift go a little crazy. I am truly honored and grateful for each one of you. I hope you subscribe and come along with me on this scary, exhilarating, mind blowing journey God has blessed me with!
About Me:
I am 21 years old and I grew up in Chester which is a pretty small town in Southern Illinois. My family is pretty small, but we like it that way. I have one sister (24), my mom, and my dad. I also have the most delightful boyfriend anyone could ask for. (And that’s totally unbiased) Oh, and how could I forget… I have the most loveable doggie named Champ!
Fun Facts:
My favorite color is grey, the beach is one of my favorite spots, I love elephants, Francesca Battistelli is my favorite singer, I’d rather watch the sun set than rise, and if anyone wants to play a pickup game of volleyball I am your girl! Bonus: I rededicated my life to Christ at a Matthew West concert.
October 29, 2015. This date probably doesn’t resonate with you, but it means everything to me. On this night God placed me at my first Christian concert and it just so happened to be Matthew West and Francesca Battistelli. On that night I decided God was worth another shot. I had always believed in Him, but I never committed. I had always turned to Him in times of pain and heartache, but never in times of joy and gladness. But on that night I rejoiced in the Lord, on that night I committed. And I never looked back.
You are all probably wondering at this point, when is she going to tell us about the race… and I am so glad you’re thinking that because that is exactly what I am about to do!
What is the World Race?:
The World Race is a Christian mission trip that was founded in 2006 through Adventure in Missions and travels to 11 countries in 11 months. The Race allows its participants to serve “the least of these” while discovering the abundant life this world has to offer. I am taking part in the third route that departs in October 2017! The countries I am blessed with visiting are Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama, South Africa, Swaziland, Lesotho, Indonesia, Malaysia, China, Mongolia and the Philippines!! (Routes are subject to change)
Why the World Race:
I have always had a soft spot in my heart for people. I began to notice that soft spot growing as I became closer and closer to God. In January of 2016 my boyfriend and I decided to go on our first mission trip. The trip was coordinated by our Church and we were going to Reynosa, Mexico in December 2016 to build a house through Homes for the Homeless. I was excited, but truly had no idea what was to come from this trip. I connected with the family we were building a house for on a level I cannot describe. It was truly God at work because I do not speak a lick of Spanish. The soft spot had engulfed my entire heart and I was hooked. I couldn’t stop thinking about mission work once we returned home. I had known at this point for over a year about the World Race and felt like He had been nudging me to sign up for a while. All the doubts I had about the race were left behind in Reynosa and I applied a few weeks after returning.
We made it!! First Blog Completed! Now some of you may be wondering, Wow!! This is great! What can I do to help?! Once again I am so happy you’re thinking that!!
What you can do:
First off Pray! I am a firm believer that prayer can move mountains and I am so thankful for all of yours. Please pray for my teammates and I as we all prepare for the greatest, most challenging trip any of us have faced. Pray for our team to have unity and grace with one another throughout our trip. Pray for the countries we will be visiting. That God will open our hearts and pour out blessings on everyone we come into contact with. Lastly, pray for my fundraising. That number at the top of the page seems daunting now, but God is so much greater than any number.
Second, I would like to ask for your financial support. I believe God will provide for us where God leads us. I have to fundraise $18,017 by January 2018 and I believe God will provide, but I need all of your help! At the top of this page there is an orange box that says Donate! If you click that button it will lead you to a secure site through Adventure in Missions where you can donate directly to my Race. I am also sending out support letters in the next few weeks. If you are interested or would like to receive one please contact me and I will make sure one comes your way!
Lastly, Subscribe! I will be posting blogs a few times every month while on my race so it is a great way to stay up to date with me! It will also give you all a chance to experience each step along the way with me! I hope you subscribe so we can take this awesome journey together!
Thank you all again for taking the time to read my blog and for your interest in my journey on the World Race! I can’t wait for what God has instore this next year and a half and I know He’s going to move mountains! If you have any questions regarding the race, Adventure in Missions, or how you can be involved just leave a comment or get in contact with me!
Stay Blessed,
Marah
