Well guys…it is the final count down! I leave Soddy Daisy, Tennessee in exactly 29 days. My first stop is Atlanta, Georgia for a few more days of training with my squad. My mom and dad will also join me there for a few days of training for themselves and then we will say our last goodbyes. It is going to be such a bittersweet moment, but I know they are going to be ready because they know this is the LORDS work and He is perfectly planning the whole thing!

As a fun little countdown I decided to write a blog with 29 reasons I am excited about the World Race!

Here ya go…

1. I get to live in community, being the body of Christ with the most amazing people I have ever met.

2. I get to take a full 11 months doing nothing but loving the LORD and His amazing creation and people around the world.

3. I get to take pictures of people and places that I may never see again.

4. I get to write about my experiences and they will be read by people I could never talk to if it was not for the world race.

5. I get to see some incredible views.

6. I get to share my love and joy of the LORD with complete strangers.

7. I get to do things I would never get to do in the United States.

8. I get to meet new and interesting people.

9. I get to fully immerse myself in 11 new cultures for a month at a time.

10. I get to go shopping in some awesome markets with interesting foods and beautifully handmade clothes and jewelry.

11. I get to live out of a backpack.

12. I get to call home and tell my family and friends about the amazing experiences I am having and hear how God is working in their lives back at home.

13. I get to inspire people to tell stories.

14. I get to see smiles of children in other countries. I love smiles.

15. I get to be a teacher in a different country.

16. I get to minister to women who do not know what real love is.

17. I get to hug children who only know pain.

18. I get fly, bus, and hike to and from 11 countries.

19. I get to sleep in a tent for almost a whole year. #iLOVEcamping

20. I get to fill several journals with the new and amazing experiences I have.

21. I get to be a preacher in a small village church.

22. I get to play games with children who have different skin than me.

23. I get to hold babies of women who are stronger than I could ever imagine.

24. I get to be the hands and feet of Christ.

25. I get to cry over pain and hurt deeper than I have ever felt.

26. I get to be a vessel of peace.

27. I get to live in 11 new countries.

28. I get to be fully transparent with you and the LORD for the first time in my life.

29. I get to thank my supporters every chance I can for giving me the opportunity go on this journey.

Thank you, thank you, thank for giving me this opportunity. As I sit here with tears rolling down my face, I am reminded of all the amazing supporters I have. Many I do not even know. You continue to AMAZE me. The LORD has already completely blessed up my life and now I get experience something not many people get to experience because this is what the LORD wants me to do. I couldn’t do it without your support so thank you. I know I will get to do many, many more things but here is just a small glimpse of what my life will look like for the next year. I love y’all. Thanks again for everything.

God bless,

Niki Ables