So, this is it huh? This is what it feels like to be writing a blog.
When I first considered going on the World Race, a myriad of thoughts went through my mind: “Is this really God’s plan for me? Am I truly a person whose help is needed in the world? Will I be able to leave my home and everyone I know behind for 11 months?”
But I have to be honest, the biggest fear I had while pondering the World Race was, “How in the world am I supposed to blog about my thoughts and feelings and my personal journey with Christ for an entire year?!”
I have never been one for keeping a diary or a journal to myself, and I have especially never been the type of person to open up incredibly deeply to others about what is going on in my head, so this seemed unbelievably daunting for me. And that was when I realized this was the right journey for me.
One of the biggest things Seth Barnes, the founder of Adventures in Missions and the World Race, believes in is the idea of the kingdom journey. He tells prospective racers that while yes, this trip is about serving others and spreading the love of Christ, it is also going to challenge you in unforeseen ways, and through those bring you closer to Christ as well.
I never once was really scared of leaving home – I have loved travelling my entire life. If I had the patience for scientific research I would be halfway to a remote lab in Antarctica or Mars right now, just to fill my lifelong thirst for exploring the unknown. So with such little fear for the trip, how could I know that this wasn’t just some excuse for me to see the world while feeling better about doing it?
Then it finally hit me: I will be exploring the unknown and terrifying nature of a place where there is no hiding behind a standard issue recitation of Sunday School lessons. I am going to have my faith challenged every day, by what I see while travelling through some of the poorer parts of the world, as well as by my peers in Christ who will not just let me sit back and be an inactive participant in God’s Word at work. And I will also explore the world of putting all my thoughts and conflicts out there for my friends and family to see, in the hopes that in the end they are there to support me in my journey.
As I begin to prepare spiritually and financially for the World Race I hope to work on sharing candidly with my support group. I may not have exciting stories of the countries I have yet to visit, but I do have another faith journey, one of simply getting ready to go. I thank God for each and every one of you, and for the support you have given me throughout my life and leading up to this moment. I look forward to sharing the next part of my journey with you through these upcoming months.
God’s Blessings,
Mikaela
