Welcome friends!
This is my inaugural post as an official World Race participant! For those of who you don’t know, let me explain a little more about what the World Race is.
The World Race is an 11 month mission trip to 11 different countries. It is a program of the umbrella organization called Adventures in Missions. The World Race has been sending 21-35 year olds out to the nations since 2006. We spend one month in each country. It’s an intense year of recklessly abandoning every routine and comfort that we are accustomed to as American citizens. It’s a year of giving up birthdays, weddings, holidays, first days of school, and time with loved ones to follow the Lord into all He has planned for us.
My specific route will be leaving in September 2015 and returning July 2016. We’ll travel to Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, India, Nepal, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
In each country, we could be doing anything from working in orphanages to building churches, from teaching English to ministering to women and children caught in sex trafficking. We never know what the Lord has planned for us until we arrive at our ministry location for the month.
I will be traveling from country to country with a squad of about 40-60 people. From there, we break up into teams of 6-8 people with whom we will spend every minute of every day. It’s an intense form of community, and it is one of the ways God refines us and brings us closer to Him throughout our 11 month journey.
Our only belongings are things we can fit into a backpack. We are only guaranteed a tent to sleep in. Showers and toilets become a luxury. We learn to live with the bugs and rats that often join us in our sleeping arrangements. It’s often hot, unbelievably hot. We meet new people every day. We form relationships every month only to have to say goodbye in four short weeks to move on to the next destination. The World Race is emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually taxing.
So why I am not insane to actually want to go on a crazy trip like this? Because of Jesus. Because of His never ending grace that is poured out on us. Because he died so that we might know Him and spend eternity with Him. He died so our Father’s name would be glorified. One of the Lord’s deepest desires is that His children would come to know and adore Him. And for those of us who have the privilege of already knowing and loving Him, we are called to share that love and redemption with those who have not yet heard of Him…who have not yet experienced His overwhelming grace and life changing love.
That is why I’m not crazy for doing this. I’m doing this because God said so. I’m doing this because I love Jesus. And Jesus loves His kids. He loves us so much and so well that it would be selfish to keep His love all to myself. I want the world to know Him. I want them to know there there is hope, and His name is Jesus.
This is not about me being super spiritual or a “good Christian.” This is not about me feeling guilty for being so privileged when most of the world is suffering day in and day out. It’s not about duty or obligation. This is not about me. It’s about loving others as a response to the unfathomable amount of love and grace that the Lord has poured out on me.
Please consider partnering with me on this journey. I need to raise a total of $16,256 to leave fully funded in September of 2015. The easiest way to donate is to click on the {Support Me} link on the left side of the screen. Any and all donations will make a huge impact on myself and the people the Lord brings into my life during the World Race.
If you would, please consider donating monthly until I leave for the World Race. If only 20 people donate $100 a month for the next 9 months, I will be fully funded when I leave next September.
Even if you are unable to support me financially, please partner with me in prayer. I have complete faith that God will provide everything that is needed for me to follow Him in His calling for my life. Prayer is an essential component to this mission.
And last but not least, please share this blog with everyone you know! Getting the word out is so important, and an easy way to support my mission.
You can also subscribe to my blog, which will allow you to receive an e-mail each time I post a new blog. This is a great way to stay up to date on my World Race experience.
Thank you for joining me on this incredible journey! I can’t wait to share with you everything God will do in my life leading up to and during the World Race.
