believe me, i’ve had to answer these questions for myself just as much, if not more than i needed to for anyone else. this next year is going to be one big giant, risky challenge. but i’m not walking into it blind. i’m doing my best to prepare myself for what’s to come. with that said, there are still many unknowns and that’s where faith comes in. part of following Jesus and learning to serve the way He does is giving up control – of my routines, food, comfort, and even safety. it means dying to myself and laying aside my expectations. life with Jesus is an adventure. not knowing all the details of what’s to come is exciting!
+ isn't this dangerous?
it could be. the world is unsafe. the world race staff maintains a regular 'watch list' in order to stay educated on safety concerns around the world. on occasion they change race routes to ensure the safety of their racers. there is minimal group micro managing that goes on, but one thing for sure is that we're always to be in a group. like, always. so be comforted by the fact that i'll never ever be alone. for 11 months. ever. this brings me comfort and also makes [the introverted part of] me cringe at the same time.
in terms of diseases…well, that's just one of the risks. i am taking every safety precaution available to avoid them because, hey, who reeeally wants typhoid? not me. i'll set off in january as prepared as i can be with my vaccinations, medications, bug spray, mosquito netting, first aid kit, water purifier, medical insurance…all kinds of stuff. will i still get some sort of weird disease next year? probably. will it be awful? most likely. will i get over it and move on? you betcha.
i don't want to live my life out of a place of fear. that's not from God [2 timothy 1:7]. i will absolutely do my best to make educated, informed, rational decisions to ensure my health and safety. but making decisions based on fear isn't something i want to do. i might never make it out of my house that way.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:2-5
here it says when you face trials, not if. because i am a living, breathing human being, i will face hardships whether or not i go on the world race. but if i choose to face them with God, He will grow me more into who i was made to be. because He loves me, He will use these things for my good and His glory. what a good Dad.
+ but WHY do you need to go to these potentially dangerous and rough places?
the places we will be living in each month will be a picture of how most of the world lives. did you know that 20% of the world's population holds 80% of the wealth? (sidenote: check out globalrichlist.com). the world race does not avoid rough places, but uses them – to serve others, and to grow racers.
i want my heart to break for what breaks the heart of God. i want to experience life the way most of my fellow human beings do. i want to be a part of fighting poverty and injustice in our world. this is what makes me come alive. this is what God has created me to do.
+ but why can’t you just stay here and do those things in your own country – aren't there are hurting, poor people here too?
yes, you are so right. and i am passionate about that too. poverty and injustice in any part of the world, including our own, should be fought against vigilantly. you will always find me actively encouraging others to get involved in their own community. Sometimes God very clearly calls people to stay home and use their gifts here. other times He tells us to go. at this time in my life, my heart’s desire and call is to go.
most of the people in this world don’t live in my culture or speak my language. i have a longing to experience things i don’t know or understand. our world is becoming an increasingly transnational environment and it is becoming more difficult to maintain relevance when we remain in our own cultural bubble. God is not American. He is not white. english is not His first language. this is an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the growing, multi-cultural, ever diverse body of Christ and to see how God is moving in the rest of the world. exciting!
+ but how can you make any difference in a country in just one month? wouldn’t it just be better to send them all the money you’re using to get there?
i've heard this question several times and even thought it myself before in the past.
i think with poor preparation and done with the wrong heart, short term missions can be damaging to both the participant and the people in the host country. this is why it is so important to address crucial issues before going, to ensure that the product is lifelong impact for both parties. otherwise God is not really glorified as an end result. and that’s not awesome.
this is why the world race partners long term with each contact they make. when we get to our destinations we will be serving in places that many other racers have already served and where many will continue to serve after we leave.
we aren’t going to do nice things in order that we might feel better about ourselves. the goal is not a drive by shooting of the gospel. “hey! we love Jesus and you should too! here, let me help you build a house! ok thanks byeee!” …no. not super helpful.
the goal is long term partnership, in which both participants and hosts grow and experience God together. through building relationships and sharing what we know of God’s love, we grow our family in Christ and gain a deeper understanding of who God is. because relationships are dependent upon the efforts of both people, the purpose is not just to leave an impact on the country we are in, but to leave that country with our own hearts changed by God as well. as we are working to serve and love the people in each country, we will gain new friends that we can listen to and learn from. i have experienced the incredible impact of these relationships as i have served in mazatlan, mexico. God made His family to love, encourage, and care for one another.
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25
as for the money part of this question, i will just say this; money cannot hold an orphaned child who doesn’t know what it is to receive affection. it cannot spend hard work and time building a home. it cannot tell a prostitute that she is a beautiful daughter of the King and worthy of love. it cannot hold the hand of and cry with a mother who has just lost her child to AIDS. money cannot offer a smile or kind word to someone who is lonely and without hope. money cannot pray for someone who is poor in spirit. money cannot love.
but loving is what i looove to do. it’s what God has created me for! and that money can get me there to do those things.
so, do i believe that spending just a month in a place can make a difference?
i believe that with God, an hour in a place could make a difference. i’m just blessed enough to be spending 11 months in 11 different places, serving, growing, learning, and loving.
if you have more questions for me or what me to answer one of these in more detail, pleeease, ask away! world race is my new fave thing to talk about!
