Why I want to do the World Race: Well, there are several reasons. Ever feel like you were created for something more than the standard 9-5 job? I don’t know about you, but I do. One reason is because I feel like I am most alive and my life has purpose when I am serving and helping others because I feel like I am being the “hands and feet of God”. Another reason is because I don’t really know what I want to do for a career. I went to college and graduated with a B.S. in Mathematics – Secondary Education but no longer feel like I would like to be a traditional classroom teacher. I am hoping through this experience that God will give me some direction and time to figure out what I am suppose to do with my life. Who knows, maybe it is to be a missionary? Only time (and God) will tell.
As you may have read/heard, I have switched routes and am now planning to embark on Route 1 in January 2015, which is an all Spanish route. Looks like I will need to brush up / re-learn the basics and then some. Anyways, I wanted to give you an idea of what I could potentially be up to in each of the countries that I am scheduled to visit and do missions work in. All of this and more can be found on the World Race main website: http://worldrace.org/?tab=routes&subtab=january-2015-1
Some of the possible missionary work we will be doing are as follows: El Salvador – “you’ll be the signs that point to the one true Savior – not a better political system or economy – Jesus Christ.”
Guatemala – “They need God’s touch. Gripped by poverty and bound to a spirit of religion, the people of Guatemala hunger for the kingdom of God to pervade their lives. You’ll have the opportunity to usher in the kingdom to this land and reach out to the people on the fringes of society through hard work, relationships, and maybe even a miracle or two.”
Honduras – “It is the third poorest in the region, after Haiti and Nicaragua. There’s a need to reach out to the youth, not just to keep them out of trouble (e.g., gangs) but for them to know their worth and that they’re loved.”
Nicaragua – “Here, hopelessness, addictions, destitution, and poverty still plague the many lives of Nicaragua. There are orphans who have grown up without knowing the love of a parent and families who get by each day by scrounging scraps from the city dump where they have made their homes. We will have the opportunity to bring God’s love through slum ministry, door-to-door outreach, outreach to children, and more.”
Costa Rica – “Here, we might help feed their physical and spiritual hunger – and discover other creative ways to give new meaning to the concept of “pura vida.”
Panama – “The double-edge of the canal is the spike in drug-trafficking. Panama also houses the largest rainforest outside the Amazon but suffers from crime in its urban slums. In these relatively well-off Central American countries, you’ll find creative ways to bring more life and light to the people.”
Columbia – “It is home to many unreached tribes, a large student population that’s becoming more and more distant from the gospel, and thousands of children living in the streets who need love and hope. In spite of its reputation for political upheaval, Colombia is a place where missions efforts are growing. Amazing stories of transformation like the revival at the prison in Medellin are happening.”
Ecuador – “Although the country is about 95% Catholic, there are still indigenous shamanistic practices that are integrated in their faith. With more than half of the population sitting at or below the poverty line, Ecuador is a country waiting for God’s Kingdom to come.”
Peru – “The Peruvian church thirsts for truth and authentic spiritual breakthrough. Its political past has been riddled with guerilla violence and corrupt leadership, from which the indigenous poor and urban affluent are recovering. “
Bolivia – “It is in need of orphan ministry, evangelistic outreach, church plants, and more. You might find yourself working in the heart of the rainforest or on the streets of a city market.”
Chile – “Chile still struggles with traditionalism. Attempts for long-term growth in the church has resulted in more formal religion that is often without the spiritual gifts or true revival. We could be the visual representation of the changing work of Christ in us.”
So, back to the idea of doing mission work. I know that there is a lot to be done here where we live (United States) but my heart is for serving people and helping others who are not from this land. I feel that when I serve here that it would be too easy for people whom I serve to turn around and repay the favor. I don’t want to serve where my service will be broadcasted to the world. I just want to serve and give all the glory to God and show people God’s love through my actions/service.
Matthew 20:26-28 says: “26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
I will leave you with the lyrics to a song that speaks to how to feel sometimes when I think about justice and peace in the world. It is called “Do Something” by Matthew West. To listen to the song, please click on the link below. Below are the lyrics:
I woke up this morning
Saw a world full of trouble now
Thought, how’d we ever get so far down
How’s it ever gonna turn around
So I turned my eyes to Heaven
I thought, “God, why don’t You do something?”
Well, I just couldn’t bear the thought of
People living in poverty
Children sold into slavery
The thought disgusted me
So, I shook my fist at Heaven
Said, “God, why don’t You do something?”
He said, “I did, I created you”
Chorus:
If not us, then who
If not me and you
Right now, it’s time for us to do something
If not now, then when
Will we see an end
To all this pain
It’s not enough to do nothing
It’s time for us to do something
I’m so tired of talking
About how we are God’s hands and feet
But it’s easier to say than to be
Live like angels of apathy who tell ourselves
It’s alright, “somebody else will do something”
Well, I don’t know about you
But I’m sick and tired of life with no desire
I don’t want a flame, I want a fire
I wanna be the one who stands up and says,
“I’m gonna do something”
Chorus
We are the salt of the earth
We are a city on a hill
(shine shine, shine shine)
But we’re never gonna change the world
By standing still
No we won’t stand still [3x]
Chorus
Thanks for reading! I hope you have a blessed week!
Misha
