My name is Rachel Balson. I’m 21 yrs old and was born in Chicago but have been raised in Hendersonville, NC. Hendersonville is a town in the mountains of western NC, which I love! I am currently a senior in college at North Greenville University, majoring in Outdoor Leadership and minoring is Psychology. I graduate in May then head out around the world on the biggest adventure of my life!
I had a great childhood growing up in a family who loves the Lord. My Mom and Dad worked faithfully to instill godly principles in my siblings and me. I have an older brother, younger brother, and four younger sisters. My siblings and I have all been homeschooled (the younger ones are still currently) and I wouldn’t change that for the world. I loved it and love having a big family. Never a boring moment! My childhood years were filled with sports, playing in the woods by our house, reading, church activities, and any work my Mom and Dad found for us kids to do.
I asked Christ into my life when I was young but it was in high school that I began learning what it meant to really have a personal relationship with Him. Since then, I have grown closer to Him and am learning what it means to truly follow Him in all areas of my life. I am excited about going on the World Race because it gives me an opportunity that I may not have at any other time in my life. The chance to travel, serve others, grow closer to Christ, be challenged, and meet others who have the same desires. I can’t wait to see the ways God will work during the Race.
A few more things…
-I’ve worked at Chick-fil-a in Hendersonville for five years, the last three of those as a team leader. I couldn’t ask for a better place to work.
-I enjoy trail running, skiing, backpacking, mountain biking, well ok pretty much anything outdoors!
-I have a Nissan pickup truck with a camper top and it suits my lifestyle perfectly. Throw my skis in the back, running shoes, whatever else I may need and there’s plenty of room. There’s also an amazing God story as to how I got it. Ask me about it sometime!
-I love to read.
-Living simply and having few material possessions makes me happy. The thought of stuffing my life into a backpack for a year excites me probably more than it should 🙂
-Running energizes me. If I’ve had a rough day, need to clear my mind, or have some prayer time, I run. Even if I’ve had a great day I’ll probably run because that makes it an even greater day 
-God has blessed me with some amazing people in my life at work, home, church, school, etc all areas of life. They have challenged me, taught me, encouraged me, supported me, and helped shape me into the person I am today.
-I’ve been on two international mission trips: Haiti and Honduras
