Why this?Why this?WH
WHY THIS?
Well, that’s a great question that leads to more questions. Of all the missions programs, nonprofits, ministry opportunities – why the World Race? Why not a year in just one other country? Why not something like Teach for America or the Peace Corp? How did you even find out about the World Race? And how did you decide to do it? SO GLAD YOU ASKED!
I learned about the World Race during my freshman year of college when one of my sorority sisters was considering it. When I first heard about it, it seemed like something I might possibly want to do after graduation. I was freshly back from my first trip to Africa and excited about the thought of traveling the world. So the thought sat at the back of my mind as a possibility, something that I would eventually seek God about.
As I continued my college career, the World Race seemed to continue to pop up. Some other friends, including a few more of my sisters, decided to do it, and I saw several of them go and return. Then the summer before my senior year I realized that post-graduation was approaching, and so I basically challenged God. I told Him that I would begin to seek Him about going on the World Race if He put India and Moldova, two countries He has put on my heart in the past, on a September WR track. And then He did it. So I had fulfill my end of the bargain. I began to seek Him about the idea of doing the race.
After months of prayer and a lot of spiritual growth during my fall semester of senior year, I felt like I should at least do my application for the World Race over winter break. Still hesitant and desiring to look for jobs like a “good college senior” during the spring semester, I decided to wait to pay the application fee and avoid moving forward in the process until I was more certain. So after three months, several phone conversations with Adventures in Missions representatives, a meeting with one of my sorority sisters who had recently returned from the WR, feeling God saying “no” to what seemed like my dream job, getting my tax return, and a peace from the Lord, I paid my application fee and scheduled an interview appointment. I had a great interview, and a week later I got a call.
However, I was in class when I got that call, and I ended up playing phone tag with AIM all day. Finally, that evening, I was sitting at my favorite coffee shop when AIM called me back. They told me that I was accepted for the Race! And then God did something amazing – He confirmed it! My natural reaction to my acceptance was to tell my friends who were at the coffee shop about this news. I went upstairs to tell one of my friends, who had been very diligent in following up with me about my World Race progress, that I was accepted. Upon explaining my next step, a $150 deposit, and finally saying “Yes, I’m going to do it,” my friend opened his wallet and handed me $150. So basically God provided my deposit fee within 10 minutes of my acceptance and within seconds of me saying yes to it. I tell this story much better in person, because so many factors go into why this donation could only be the Lord, but basically I just knew that it was confirmation. And since then God has given me so much scripture to confirm my decision to step out in faith and do the race.
So it’s been a long process, but if I’m going to be honest, I think I made it longer than it needed to be. I’m glad I took my time and waited at each step, but the reality is, that I’m pretty sure I knew I was supposed to go on the race. I think so often that when we’re faced with a decision, we usually know what we’re supposed to do. Maybe that’s just me? But I’m pretty confident that the Spirit inside of me was pointing to the WR the whole time, and my flesh just needed some convincing. Thank the Lord that He is patient with me!
And with that said, really the only reason that I didn’t do a stint in another country or Teach for America or an anti-trafficking fellowship or nonprofit internship or any other program is simply because those are not where God is calling me. I approached my senior year with a completely open mind, pretty much willing to do anything. But even though I explored other equally-amazing options, when it came down to it, I couldn’t shake that deep within me, I knew that the World Race was what I was supposed to do.
WHY ME?
That’s a question I’m still asking God and that I wrestle with literally every day. I have a lot mixed emotions and thoughts about this, but when it comes down to it, I just trust that God’s ways are higher than my ways. I truly believe this is what God is calling me to do. He has a plan for me, and this must be part of it. Plus, I’ve prayed prayers telling the Lord that I’ll go wherever He sends me and follow Him to the ends of the earth. I’ve told Him I want to love people, whatever that looks like. So I guess, He’s answering my prayers!
You can stop reading there and skip to the next question unless you want to read about the thoughts I’m struggling with because that’s what the next few point are. I know some of them are wrong-thinking, but I’m just trying to be transparent with how I feel. Trust me, I’m already laying them before the Lord in prayer.
1. I get to go again!? I’m too blessed. – As uncomfortable as mission trips can be, they are also some of the most rewarding, life-changing experiences a person may have. I am so thankful that I’ve been able to have three previous, very diverse mission trip experiences to Zambia, Guatemala and Uganda. These trips were so pivotal in teaching me life lessons, shaping my career choices, and showing me what it really means to follow Jesus. So because I’ve had these experiences already, sometimes I feel selfish for going again. I know that sacrificing a year of your life to serve the poor is anything but selfish, but then I feel like someone else should have the chance.
2. My friends, family and church family are going to get sick of giving me money. – I know this is probably a dumb thought because God prepares people to give in the same way that He prepares people to go. I know that God is going to provide. However, it’s still a thought that I keep having none-the-less. I keep battling the thought that all of the people who know me are sick of all my fundraising for my many mission trips and are tired of hearing about it. Sometimes it goes beyond my comprehension why God wants to use me again because that means He is using pretty much the same resource pool to provide for me again. But with that said, if you’re not sick of giving me money, PLEASE DO BECAUSE I REALLY NEED IT. THANKS.
3. I’m not qualified. I’m not equipped. – It’s a huge lie. I know. Jesus qualifies me and gives me everything I need. But at the same time, I often feel like I couldn’t possibly be the one God is calling to live out of a backpack for a year. I’m not the most physically fit. I like my bed. I like toilets that flush. I don’t own Chacos, and I don’t even live near an REI. My parents and I don’t have the money to fund my trip. I don’t share the gospel with every single person that I meet. BUTTTTTT even though I’m not qualified or prepared, I serve a great God who is made greater in my weakness! He provides for me! He created me! He forgives me! He loves me and pours His love out through me! I wouldn’t be doing this if it wasn’t for Jesus, so it really only depends on Him, not on me! And He never, ever fails! Praise the Lord!
4. But it does make sense that God would send me. – Again, it does make sense because God answers prayers. How many times have I asked Him to “use me, send me, fill me, etc.” in whatever way He thought best? How many times have I cried out for justice and prayed that God would show me how to love the people that He loves? How many times have I asked God to take my pride and humble me, to show me how to serve Him, to help me love God and love people? These have been my prayers for basically the eight years that I’ve been following Jesus. Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you.” Look at this adventure that God is giving me! I receive it, Lord!
5. This is practical for my career. God knows what He’s doing. – At the freshman orientation for my University, God revealed my major, public relations, to me and I obediently declared it. Then, during my freshman year, God faithfully showed me how He wanted me to use it – to do communications for a Christian humanitarian nonprofit that helps children and perhaps something related to human trafficking. With that said, I know that eventually, God will make that part of His call on my life a reality. However, this is still preparation for that. And what great preparation it is! It makes so much sense that I can communicate what I’ve seen and heard much more passionately and effectively than something that I haven’t. I don’t want to blindly tell people to donate to stop the trafficking of children. I want to tell them to stop the trafficking of children because I’ve seen the restorative power of Jesus Christ in the life of these children first hand! Additionally, the fundraising I’m doing for my trip is practical experience for the almost-guaranteed fundraising that I’m going to have to do in the nonprofit sector. With that said, I am praying that God uses this to give me practical experience that prepares me for my life’s work, and that He uses the World Race to increase my passion for my future career! God is getting me ready for a lifetime of ministry and service for His Kingdom!
WHY NOW?
Thankfully, this is the question with the simplest answer.
I just graduated from the University of Florida, and for the first time, my life is completely wide open. I don’t have classes to attend. I’m single. I don’t have any leads on a full-time job. I don’t have any major commitments. God has opened all the doors at this time in my life. If there is a time to do this, the time is now. If God calls me overseas again later in life, don’t get me wrong, I will drop everything and be obedient. (Please hold me to that.) But it appears that now seems like the opportune time to do this, and I pray that it teaches me so much and shapes the rest of my life for the glory of God!
Well, that’s a great question that leads to more questions. Of all the missions programs, nonprofits, ministry opportunities – why the World Race? Why not a year in just one other country? Why not something like Teach for America or the Peace Corp? How did you even find out about the World Race? And how did you decide to do it? SO GLAD YOU ASKED!
I learned about the World Race during my freshman year of college when one of my sorority sisters was considering it. When I first heard about it, it seemed like something I might possibly want to do after graduation. I was freshly back from my first trip to Africa and excited about the thought of traveling the world. So the thought sat at the back of my mind for as a possibility, something that I would eventually seek God about.
As I continued my college career, the World Race seemed to continue to pop up. Some other friends, including a few more of my sisters, decided to do it, and I saw several of them go and return. Then the summer before my senior year I realized that post-graduation was approaching, and so I basically challenged God. I told Him that I would begin to seek Him about going on the World Race if He put India and Moldova, two countries He has put on my heart in the past, on a September WR track. And then He did it. So I had fulfill my end of the bargain. I began to seek Him about the idea of doing the race.
After months of prayer and a lot of spiritual growth during my fall semester of senior year, I felt like I should at least do my application for the World Race over winter break. Still hesitant and desiring to look for jobs like a “good college senior” during the spring semester, I decided to wait to pay the application fee and avoid moving forward in the process until I was more certain. So after three months, several phone conversations with Adventures in Missions representatives, a meeting with one of my sorority sisters who had recently returned from the WR, feeling God saying “no” to what seemed like my dream job, getting my tax return, and a peace from the Lord, I paid my application fee and scheduled an interview appointment. I had a great interview, and a week later I got a call.
However, I was in class when I got that call, and I ended up playing phone tag with AIM all day. Finally, that evening, I was sitting at my favorite coffee shop when AIM called me back. They told me that I was accepted for the Race! And then God did something amazing – He confirmed it! My natural reaction to my acceptance was to tell my friends who were at the coffee shop about this news. I went upstairs to tell one of my friends, who had been very diligent in following up with me about my World Race progress, that I was accepted. Upon explaining my next step, a $150 deposit, and finally saying “Yes, I’m going to do it,” my friend opened his wallet and handed me $150. I tell this story much better in person, because so many factors go into why this donation could only be the Lord, but basically I just knew that it was confirmation. And since then God has given me so much scripture to confirm my decision to step out in faith and do the race.
So it’s been a long process, but if I’m going to be honest, I think I made it longer than it needed to be. I’m glad I took my time and waited at each step, but the reality is, that I’m pretty sure I knew I was supposed to go on the race. I think so often that when we’re faced with a decision, we usually know what we’re supposed to do. Maybe that’s just me? But I’m pretty confident that the Spirit inside of me was pointing to the WR the whole time, and my flesh just needed some convincing. Thank the Lord that He is patient with me!
And with that said, really the only reason that I didn’t do a stint in another country or Teach for America or an anti-trafficking fellowship or nonprofit internship or any other program is simply because those are not where God is calling me. I approached my senior year with a completely open mind, pretty much willing to do anything. But even though I explored other equally-amazing options, when it came down to it, I couldn’t shake that deep within me, I knew that the World Race was what I was supposed to do.
Why me?
That’s a question I’m still asking God and that I wrestle with literally every day. I have a lot mixed emotions and thoughts about this, but when it comes down to it, I just trust that God’s ways are higher than my ways. I truly believe this is what God is calling me to do. He has a plan for me, and this must be part of it. Plus, I’ve prayed prayers telling the Lord that I’ll go wherever He sends me and follow Him to the ends of the earth. I’ve told Him I want to love people, whatever that looks like. So I guess, He’s answering my prayers!
You can stop reading there and skip to the next question unless you want to read about the thoughts I’m struggling with because that’s what the next few point are. I know some of them are wrong-thinking, but I’m just trying to be transparent with how I feel. Trust me, I’m already laying them before the Lord in prayer.
1. I get to go again!? I’m too blessed. – As uncomfortable as mission trips can be, they are also some of the most rewarding, life-changing experiences a person may have. I am so thankful that I’ve been able to have three previous, very diverse mission trip experiences to Zambia, Guatemala and Uganda. These trips were so pivotal in teaching me life lessons, shaping my career choices, and showing me what it really means to follow Jesus. So because I’ve had these experiences already, sometimes I feel selfish for going again. I know that sacrificing a year of your life to serve the poor is anything but selfish, but then I feel like someone else should have the chance.
2. My friends, family and church family are going to get sick of giving me money. – I know this is probably a dumb thought because God prepares people to give in the same way that He prepares people to go. I know that God is going to provide. However, it’s still a thought that I keep having none-the-less. I keep battling the thought that all of the people who know me are sick of all my fundraising for my many mission trips and are tired of hearing about it. Sometimes it goes beyond my comprehension why God wants to use me again because that means He is using pretty much the same resource pool to provide for me again. But with that said, if you’re not sick of giving me money, PLEASE DO BECAUSE I REALLY NEED IT. THANKS.
3. I’m not qualified. I’m not equipped. – It’s a huge lie. I know. Jesus qualifies me and gives me everything I need. But at the same time, I often feel like I couldn’t possibly be the one God is calling to live out of a backpack for a year. I’m not the most physically fit. I like my bed. I like toilets that flush. I don’t own Chacos, and I don’t even live near an REI. My parents and I don’t have the money to fund my trip. I don’t share the gospel with every single person that I meet. BUTTTTTT even though I’m not qualified or prepared, I serve a great God who is made greater in my weakness! He provides for me! He created me! He forgives me! He loves me and pours His love out through me! I wouldn’t be doing this if it wasn’t for Jesus, so it really only depends on Him, not on me! And He never, ever fails! Praise the Lord!
4. But it does make sense that God would send me. – Again, it does make sense because God answers prayers. How many times have I asked Him to “use me, send me, fill me, etc.” in whatever way He thought best? How many times have I cried out for justice and prayed that God would show me how to love the people that He loves? How many times have I asked God to take my pride and humble me, to show me how to serve Him, to help me love God and love people? These have been my prayers for basically the eight years that I’ve been following Jesus. Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you.” Look at this adventure that God is giving me! I receive it, Lord!
5. This is practical for my career. God knows what He’s doing. – At the freshman orientation for my University, God revealed my major, public relations, to me and I obediently declared it. Then, during my freshman year, God faithfully showed me how He wanted me to use it – to do communications for a Christian humanitarian nonprofit that helps children and perhaps something related to human trafficking. With that said, I know that eventually, God will make that part of His call on my life a reality. However, this is still preparation for that. And what great preparation it is! It makes so much sense that I can communicate what I’ve seen and heard much more passionately and effectively than something that I haven’t. I don’t want to blindly tell people to donate to stop the trafficking of children. I want to tell them to stop the trafficking of children because I’ve seen the restorative power of Jesus Christ in the life of these children first hand! Additionally, the fundraising I’m doing for my trip is practical experience for the almost-guaranteed fundraising that I’m going to have to do in the nonprofit sector. With that said, I am praying that God uses this to give me practical experience that prepares me for my life’s work, and that He uses the World Race to increase my passion for my future career! God is getting me ready for a lifetime of ministry and service for His Kingdom!
Why now?
Thankfully, this is the question with the simplest answer.
I just graduated from the University of Florida, and for the first time, my life is completely wide open. I don’t have classes to attend. I’m single. I don’t have any leads on a full-time job. I don’t have any major commitments. God has opened all the doors at this time in my life. If there is a time to do this, the time is now. If God calls me overseas again later in life, don’t get me wrong, I will drop everything and be obedient. (Please hold me to that.) But it appears that now seems like the opportune time to do this, and I pray that it teaches me so much and shapes the rest of my life for the glory of God!
