If you had told me a year ago my post grad plans were going to be mission work I would have laughed in your face.
If you would have told me that some of the most important relationships in my life would crumble to pieces, only to be replaced with people who I never thought I could have a thing in common with, I would have been horrified.
If you had told me 8 months ago I was going to be accepted to a program such as the World Race, a program that feels like it was created exactly for me I wouldn’t have dared believe you.
But here’s the thing… God truly works his power to provide immeasurably more than all we could ask or imagine.
As soon as I discovered the World Race last July, (more like the World Race discovered me… but that’s another story for a different time) I vividly remember my heart beating just a tad faster. I couldn’t believe a program such as this existed. A missions program so perfectly tailored to all the things I love: new friends, new cultures, new experiences, and most importantly a challenge.
The World Race encourages my generation to radically step out of our comfort zone in order to see a changed world. We will be leaving behind most all of our belongings, living with just one 40-pound backpack for a year. Rent will be pretty cheap seeing as I’m going to be hitting up REI to pick out my home: One tent, and a sleeping bag. I am going to be living in pretty rugged conditions where water is sparse, poverty is the norm, and disease is slowly wiping out nearby village populations.
My teammates and I will be placed into groups where we will partner with various ministries in villages across the world. Each month will look different. From working with victims of sex trafficking in Thailand, to teaching orphans in Rwanda, or visiting hospitals in India, our one overarching goal will be to provide hope and light in times of darkness.
A month and a half ago when I received the phone call saying I had been accepted to go on field with the World Race next August I was overwhelmed.
I was overwhelmed with excitement to meet my teammates, to know what ministries I would be working with, and to have a year of my life to grow and experience cultures and lifestyles I had only read about.
It took only a week or so for the overwhelming excitement to turn into overwhelming doubt. How in the world will I find the resources to raise $17,617? How will I find the right words to explain this crazy yearlong adventure to my friends and family? What if people have a hard time understanding my intentions and think this is just another excuse to travel?
While these questions may linger I remind myself to take a look in the mirror and think back to my questioning and skeptical self only a year ago, and to realize that God’s plan for me is indeed immeasurably more than all I could ask for or imagine.
If I only experienced as much growth as my tiny human brain imagined was possible, I would not be where I am today preparing to embark on such an incredible journey.
The most comforting piece of information I carry around is that I know I can stop trying to answer all these questions alone and give it all to Jesus. He has plans for me that I am unable to imagine and if it is indeed his will, I will be fully funded and packing my bags to leave in 7 short months.
Thank you so much for joining with me as I prepare for the next year of my life! There will be more blogs to come… but in the meantime please do not hesitate to reach out to me! I would love more than anything to catch up or get to know you and answer any and all questions.
Just text me/ call me/ email me/ Facebook stalk me/ whichever suits you!
Love you guys!
-MC
