I wanted to allow you into my brain for a moment and let you see why I am doing the World Race. There are several things that have put me in this position that I believe are worth explanation. Maybe it will inspire something in you, whether to give to my cause or give to another missionary, or even go on a trip yourself. Who knows.
“Somewhere along the way the movement of Jesus Christ became civilized as Christianity.”
-Erwin McManus
I personally believe that each follower of Christ is called to “missions” but that it can look different for everyone. I don’t think you have to go to another country to be a missionary. You don’t need to raise a bunch of money and hop on a plane to Africa and thrust yourself into a village and build a church.
Some of the coolest missionaries I’ve met have been on missions in the United States in their hometowns or some other city that God moved them to. I believe every follower of Jesus has been called to spread the gospel as a “missionary” in some way.
The idea of international missions almost sounds more glamorous, more adventurous. But God has given us as Christians (and quite honestly, as Americans) the unique position of having a giant pool of internationals and unreached people here in our own backyard. Our campus, our workplace, our favorite coffee shop … it’s all a mission field.
My interests and circumstances, however, have indeed pushed me to take the international route later this year. I have had the privilege of serving on two organized mission trips in the States the past few years, and am now ready to go abroad for 11 months. Early in college, God radically opened my eyes to the needs of international students on campus and led me to change my major to Global Studies. Furthermore, He propelled my love and interest for other countries (and ironically, did the same with this country lol). He gave me a deep desire and a specific skill set of connecting with internationals. Each semester He would bring a new nationality into my life and widen my view of the different types of people He created and died for.
I knew I wanted to do at least a year of international missions, I just wasn’t sure where specifically. It was hard choosing one country or one organization when God had so divinely placed me on the paths of several people from several different regions of the world. I was drawn to the idea of Asia, but then also Africa, but then maybe Europe or the Middle East…
When I stumbled across the World Race and the unique opportunity to travel to 11 different countries over the course of 11 months, I was floored. I could hit several places and still spend a significant amount of time in each one. I could experience 11 different cultures and interact with 11 different ethnic groups and re-adapt to 11 different environments, month after month. All that plus living out of a backpack?? It was an automatic “YES” from me. And after a few years of praying and preparing, it was a “YES” from Him too.
I believe that when Jesus comes into a person’s life, a dramatic change starts to occur inside. He lights a fire. And if you are attentive and open, He will start to unveil a beast that has been waiting. It’s a call towards deep communion with the Creator of your soul. As disciples of Christ, we have Heaven inside us. And when the fire is lit and the eyes are opened, there’s no going back. A radical path is the only way forward, a barbaric quest is the natural choice.
The more you trust Jesus, the more you will risk on His behalf. His sacrifice, His example, pushes you into the reality of what it means to lead a sacrificial life here on earth. Loving others as you sprint towards Him, never glancing back at the civilized life you once led. Everything is different in the shadow of the cross. Jesus’ death wasn’t to free us from dying, but to free us from the fear of death. This liberation, this true freedom, causes us to die upfront, to the things of the world and to our sinful flesh, and then live.*
*This group of sentences (and my title) is greatly inspired by the book “The Barbarian Way” by Erwin McManus.
For me personally, something like the World Race was an automatic response to this barbaric calling. Images of John the Baptist, Paul, Jesus Himself, all flooded my mind when presented with this unconventional way of living. The Race allows me to physically abandon the comforts of middle-class American life. It forces me to let go of my safety zone and traditional way of thinking. It throws me into the unknown.
I have the ability to do something radical right now, in this stage of life.
1. I will be finished with school this summer.
2. I am young.
3. I am single.
4. I don’t have kids.
5. I still live at home.
My intimacy with Jesus has been on a steep, upward climb and the timing of all these conditions is nothing short of divine intervention. It’s time for me to act. I’m ready to take the leap into an unreasonable, impractical life that defies all sensibility. God calls us there because He led the very same type of life on earth.
I’m extremely grateful for the chance to be a Racer. And after all is said and done, I will be excited to continue “working as a missionary” in whatever job I hold when I get back to the States, always living the barbarian way.
As for now (or at least later this year), the call is taking me to the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua.
I’d love to take you on the ride with me – whether that be through these occasional blog posts, picture updates on Instagram, videos on a GoPro, putting your donations to use overseas, etc. Keep an eye out for what’s to come in the next year!
“When the Creator chooses to dwell within His creation, there is transformation. If Jesus has come to dwell within you, you are no longer suited for a normal life.”
(And thanks for taking the time to read this!!)
