I heard you are going to be on the Amazing Race. So you’re going to be on T.V.? Well not exactly, I will get to travel the world but I wont be on T.V.
So what is The World Race?
“It is a journey to 11 countries in 11 months to serve ‘the least of these’ while amongst real and raw community. It facilitates discipleship through the process of discovering into the abundant life. It births partnerships with ministries around the world. We’re calling you out of your comfort zone and giving you exposure to what God is doing in the world before you commit to the American dream. Because it’s not about you, it’s about the Kingdom.”
Above is the textbook definition of The World Race. To sum it up, it is 11 months in 11 countries to be the hands and feet of Jesus. I get to serve in the Kingdom for 11 months. Pretty cool right?
Wow, Mollie that’s really cool. When do you leave, where are you going?
I leave January 2015. I get to go not around the world but around a part of the world I love. My race is very different from most in that I will never leave the Americas. This is why I picked my PERFECT route.
Perfect route? What does that even mean?
Ok, lets take a step back. Throughout my college career, I have served. I have traveled to Appalachia, D.C., Roanoke, Columbia, South Carolina, New Orleans, and Philadelphia. And while these places shook my world and I saw poverty that I had never seen before, nothing will compare to my time in Central America. Central America didn’t just shake my world it ROCKED my world. It was January of my sophomore year of college when I first traveled outside the country (other than on a cruise) and I found myself in Guatemala. I walked out of the airport and there was a 10-person van waiting for the 12 of us. I looked around for the other van (that I assumed there was) and someone grabbed my bag out of my hand and through it up on top of the van, strapped it down and we were off. What I didn’t know is from that moment on my life changed forever.
I spend just 10 days in this beautiful country and experienced poverty that I did not know existed. Growing up near Baltimore City, I thought I knew what homelessness looked like. Volunteering in Appalachia, I thought I knew what poor housing looked like. I had studied, volunteered and thought I knew all about poverty. But when I found myself on the outskirts of Antigua, Guatemala I realized I knew nothing about the issues. During my short time there I helped build a house for a beautiful family. While it may seem like I gave/helped these beautiful people what you don’t know if that they changed me forever. These people had nothing but were so much happier and more giving than anyone I have ever met.
When I went to Nicaragua this year I saw even more poverty. There was no running water and a wooden shack was my home. There was so much material without but Central America makes up for it in love. So because of this and so many more reasons I find my perfect route. One where I will get to travel back to the places that have changed my life and get to go to new countries that I hope I will love just as much.
So you have your perfect route now how much do you get paid?
Well funny story… I do not get paid instead I have to fundraise all the costs of my trips. The cost of my trip $14,243 which is a huge number but one that can be reached with your help.
What do you mean with my help?
Well I cannot raise $14,243 without you. First I need prayers. Prayers for not only me but also for those I will be serving. Next if you feel so inclined, I need financial support. If you scroll up to the top of my page there is a meter that shows my financial progress next to it there is “Support Me” which you can click and follow the process of contributing to me. You can donate online one time or monthly and also there is a process for mailing in checks. If you donate it takes a couple of days to process so my meter will not increase instantly. The final help I need is support of reading my blog. My goal is to blog once every 2 weeks if not more. You can subscribe to my blog if you scroll up the page and on the left hand side there is a box to put your email and then click the button that says subscribe.
So what countries are you going to?
Below is my perfect route with a little description of each country
My Perfect January 2015 (1)
El Salvador
El Salvador is the third largest economy in the region after Costa Rica and Panama and the smallest country (in land mass) in the Americas. In a land whose name translates to “The Savior”, you’ll be the signs that point to the one true Savior – not a better political system or economy – Jesus Christ.
Guatemala
Guatemala needs 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.
Honduras
What really runs deep in Honduras are its needs. Honduras is the third poorest in the region, after Haiti and Nicaragua. Like her neighbors, 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
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. In Nicaragua, you’ll have the opportunity to bring God’s love through slum ministry, door-to-door outreach, outreach to children, and more.
Costa Rica
While the natural beauty attracts lots of tourists, there are still large pockets of poverty and family brokenness. You might help feed their physical and spiritual hunger – and discover other creative ways to give new meaning to the concept of “pura vida.”
Panama
Much of Panama’s revenue comes from the eponymous canal, expected to be wider by 2015. 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.
Colombia
Ethnically diverse, Colombia 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.
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
Though many natives still practice traditional religions, God is up to something in this country. 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 affluents are recovering.
Bolivia
Bolivia 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. You could be the visual representation of the changing work of Christ in you.
I thank you in advance for your support. Please consider joining me in my race around the world (well the Americas at least).
Love,
Mols
