Dear family and friends (and detached bystanders),
I am really excited to announce that I will be deferring from college next year to participate in a nine month service trip starting October 2016, called the World Race Gap Year. I will be traveling to Guatemala, Thailand, and Malawi, living amidst extreme third world poverty and working with local communities.
After a lot of thought and prayer, I am confident that this trip will not be a matter of delaying college but rather gaining invaluable experience. My opportunities when it comes to higher education are seemingly endless. I was born into a fast paced society, rooted on the prospects on progress and accomplishments. That said, as my college applications accumulated this past fall, I began to question to how I intended to use my privileges to make an longterm impact. These nine months will allow me to learn things I do not know I need to learn, so that when I reemerge into our culture, I can stand firm in my vision to use my education for something greater than myself. As I learned from living in Costa Rica this past summer, it is when I break away from my worldly comforts that I truly develop my faith and individuality. As much as I plan to share my abilities to support positive change, I anticipate undergoing spiritual growth.
It would honestly be so great if you follow my journey in the upcoming year. This blog is where I will be posting updates and videos leading up to and during my trip. My hopes are that I can share my experiences overseas with a wide audience.
I additionally must raise over $13,000 to fund my trip (a lofty goal, no doubt). If you feel inclined to support me financially, you can visit my blog and donate under the “Support Me” tab. I also plan to put every working penny I earn towards this trip.
I can’t find the words to express how thankful I am for your support, either financially or by your prayers. It is through your care and consideration that I have developed, and continue to develop, into the person God intends me to be.
Thank you so much for taking the time to hear about my future,
