Hello world,
As some may already know I have been accepted to partake on the World Race. The World Race is an 11 month mission trip to 11 different countries around the world. It is also through an organization known as Adventures in Missions. Adventures In Missions is a tax-exempt organization under IRS code 501(c)(3) and is a member of the ECFA. (Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability). Due to IRS and ECFA regulations governing the administration of tax deductible donations given in support of a particular trip/program, support contributions given on behalf of an individual will be used to offset the costs of the trip/program you are involved in. All contributions are non-refundable regardless of the participant’s success in completing the program.
So, why the World Race? I chose to go on the World Race because I have always had a heart for missions. I went to Mexico for spring break with my church, and then to Thailand and Cambodia in May with Destiny Rescue. While in those three countries God worked miracles in my life and those we came to serve and pour into. During these trips it also was more confirmation that my life is to be the life of a servant and to become a missionary. I know that while I am gone for a year I will be stretched in my faith and be in an uncomfortable state by being out of my comfort zone. Which is always great to endure, and I love being pushed in my faith. As I am currently learning to trust in God more this will definitely cause me to fully trust in God more than ever before. I also chose the World Race because in high school I kept up with blogs that my uncle ended up writing while he also did the World Race and by reading his blogs I saw what the Lord was doing in his life and with in the lives of those he went to serve.
As I write this blog about myself I am reminded that God is totally in control. With that being said if you feel led to donate and want to help that would be awesome. If not, that is fine too.I just definitely ask for prayer because I am going to be stretched in my faith and be in 11 different countries, places I’ve never been to yet where anything is awaiting me. So far (though it is subject to change) I am going to these countries; Haiti, Dominican Republic, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, India, Nepal, Romania, Albania, Bulgaria, and Serbia. Which leads to another reason of why I chose this specific route. I have actually felt called to most of these countries especially to India. India has been on my heart for awhile and keeps getting reaffirmed by God that I am supposed to go whether through other people or through dreams.
For those who don’t know me and would like to know more about me this portion is for you. This portion is first my spiritual journey. I did not grow up in a Christian home, but came to know Christ at age 15. I first went to church somewhere between 10-12 years old because my grandparents had neighbors that I met that I decided to go with and I instantly loved it and felt as if it was right. It was through God putting people in my life at certain points and areas of my life that I came to realize and know God was real. My uncle AJ had a huge influence on my life when it came to know Christ. When around him he always invited me to church with him and it was in the car to go watch the David Crowder Band perform I gave my life to Christ. Now of course living for God is definitely a journey, I would still fall into my same old sin pattern every single day of my life from 15-18. At 17 I went to live with my dad in Vegas and got plugged into a church that was a 1-2 minute walk and I instantly felt welcomed. I instantly started to serve and praise God. However, it seemed to me I started to live a legalistic side of my faith thinking “oh God did this for me, so I need to do this for Him”. However, it wasn’t until sophomore year at GCU (Grand Canyon University) I started to realize the totality of God’s grace. I don’t need to do things because I feel as if I need to owe God anything. No, it is through faith that works should flow out of me because we are called to go and make disciples of all nations. God’s Kingdom is indeed growing and it is because people have faith that eventually God allows works to flow through that faith. Now I do realize this fully. However, don’t get me wrong I still have doubts and questions at times; but that is why community is important. Now I am 21 and am indeed more spiritually mature than when I first became a Christian and I am ready to see what the Lord has for me.
Speaking of community, God has placed many people in my life that have helped me continue to pursue God or point me back towards God when I may fall. Honestly, you can’t do this journey on your own. Community is a good way to grow closer to God, but you don’t want to fall into the concept of relying on others faith and not have your own faith. Now with the World Race, I know no one on the team yet or anything about them. So please pray that God allows the community to be such a close-knitted community that we look up to God in all things and fall on Him. That we pray for one another in times of pain, frustration, sickness, being spiritually attacked, and etc.
Now for the personal portion of myself. I really enjoy hiking, and hanging out with friends. I also enjoy playing ultimate Frisbee, dancing, singing, and writing poetry. So if the Lord places it on my heart there will indeed be poems as well that I will be posting. I especially enjoy food. My mom makes some mean lasagna which I hopefully can get before I leave to different parts of the world or maybe meatloaf, who knows.
So, yeah that is just a brief intro about myself and why I chose the World Race. If you have any questions at all please don’t hesitate to ask me. I’m looking forward to seeing what God does. Take care and God bless!!
