One of the neat things about The World Race is the fact that as racers, we will get to experience 11 different countries, 11 different cultures, 11 different people groups, and 11 different homes over the course of our 11 months of ministry. We will get to love on men, women, and children from 11 different nations, and experience the beauty of 11 different parts of the world that our Father created. We will also experience the heart wrenching decay caused by a corrupt and cruel world.
The World Race route that I applied for and was accepted into was definitely placed on my heart by my Papa, and I am so excited to experience all that He has for me, and do all that He has for me to do in these 11 special places. So, here is a list and brief description for those of you that have been wondering just exactly what that route is, and where I’ll be heading.
The World Race route that I applied for and was accepted into was definitely placed on my heart by my Papa, and I am so excited to experience all that He has for me, and do all that He has for me to do in these 11 special places. So, here is a list and brief description for those of you that have been wondering just exactly what that route is, and where I’ll be heading.
Philippines
This Asian island nation, former Spanish colony then American protectorate, is a country in tension, trying to cross the threshold between the third and first world. It offers a variety of landscapes – beaches, mountains, volcanic lakes – and languages, with Tagalog as the national tongue. The Catholic Church is a substantial piece of the religious pie, however, Islam is growing in the island of Mindinao. The Filipino people and culture love music, dance and community. While there, my fellow teammates and I may find ourselves living with and giving hope to the destitute, caring for orphans, and challenging the growing number of Christ-followers to rise up.
Malaysia
Malaysia is a world entrenched in Islam. A people within the thriving metropolis of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysians still live in ignorance and without knowledge of Jesus Christ. As my team and I delve into this culture of works-based religion, strong self-discipline, and uncanny faith, we will have the unique opportunity to deliver hope and point the people to their Redeemer.
Thailand
According to the CIA, the kingdom of Thailand, known as Siam until 1939, is the only country in the region not colonized by Europe. Their 2000 census showed that 94.6% of the population is Buddhist, 4.6% are Muslim, and 0.7% is Christian. 0.7% you guys! Approximately 600,000 people live with HIV/AIDS in Thailand. With nearly two million people estimated to be forced into prostitution, it has become one of the most popular places for sex tourism. Change lives in the city – where my team and I, like Jesus, might befriend prostitutes – or in the countryside, where we may serve youth, care for and love on orphans, and encourage a remnant of believers.
Cambodia
Cambodia houses one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat is a Hindu temple and monastery built during the Khmer empire in the 12th century. It later became a Buddhist complex a century later, and today, just over 96% of Cambodia is Buddhist. Almost 30 years ago, 1.5 million Cambodians died at the hands of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge regime. Today, Cambodia is a source, transit point, and destination of human trafficking. Unfortunately, the government is struggling to stop it. The people of Cambodia are thirst of the hope my team and I can bring.
Nepal
Home to Mount Everest, the world’s tallest mountain, Nepal literally sits on top of the world. In addition to adventurous experiences my team and I will have there, we may also visit widows and orphans in their times of distress and protect the innocent who are prey to hman traffickers. This month of our World Race experience will submerge us in a culture that is desperate for an encounter with the living God.
India
With nearly a sixth of the world’s population within its borders, India is a country bursting with people and culture. Home to a diverse array of beliefs from Hinduism to Islam, to a blend of folk religions and other faiths, it is a country of pluralism with 29 languages spoken by over a million native speakers, multiple religions, cuisine, socio-economic classes, and political parties. India’s struggles with poverty and crimes of human trafficking, forced prostitution, religious persecution and more. My team and I might work with local churches to encourage beleivers and most likely be challenged by their testimonies. Our presence will bring hope and truth to those that society deems “untouchable.”
Uganda
Once a kingdom and British protectorate, for most of the later half of the 20th century, Uganda was under military rule, first under Idi Amin, the subject of the film The Last King of Scotland. Much of northern Uganda was also troubled by the Lord’s Resistance Army, which heavily recruited child soldiers. Referred to as the Pearl of Africa, Uganda is diverse in topography and wildlife. My team and I may find ourselves in the north partnering with ministries that are bring still-needed healing and reconciliation or in the south working with churches to evangelize and disciple the next generation of Kingdom workers.
Rwanda
Many who hear “Rwanda” immediately think, “genocide” – it was 16 years ago when 800,000 people were killed over the course of about three months. According to the U.S. State Department, Rwanda (once colonized by France) has the highest population density in sub-Saharan Africa; and like much of sub-Saharan Africa, this nation is fighting hard against HIV/AIDS. This nation played a part of the genesis of the human rights organization International Justice Missions; as my team and I help bring healing to a country still recovering from this deep wound, God may birth a dream or vision in us.
South Sudan
In the news for decades, Sudan has been the site of brutal military conflicts, human rights violations, drought and starvation, and underdevelopment. The longstanding Darfur conflict has ravaged the Sudanese, along with two civil wars and Joseph Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army. Fighting between the North and South resulted in the deaths of at least 2.5 million people and the displacement of another five million. Peace talks eventually led to South Sudan’s decision to secede from Sudan and form their own independent nation on July 9, 2011. Devastation covers a land looking to start anew. Help local partners improve conditions of schools and orphanages. Love on children orphaned by civil war. Be hope to a nation seeking a fresh start. My team and I can help build foundations – both physical and spiritual – for South Sudan.
Ukraine
The Eastern European country is caught between its past oppression under the Soviet Union and the desire to be accepted by the West. People in the West tend to be more nationalistic than those in the East, where Russian is more commonly spoken. There’s a substantial orphan population and human trafficking’s an issue here, too. Most people claim to belong to the Ukrainian Orthodox church, which is subdivided into three bodies. God’s desire is to bring hope, peace, and authentic relationship with himself, and unity to this nation; my team and I will be following Christ, and learning how exactly will we fit in to that plan.
Romania
The northern regions of Romania are home to the gypsy community. Though strangers in their homeland and forgotten by society, the gypsies are a strong and vibrant people who embrace the light of Christ in an inspirational way. Here, my team and I will teach English, lead sports camps, live life with the gypsies, and so much more. It will be an exciting time of learning about a people group that many people don’t even know exist.
Many may wondering how we will be able to make an impact in a mere month, and all I can say to that is that my Father is huge. And we won’t be able to make an impact in a mere month, but my Daddy sure can. If all we do is plant seeds – toss them as far as we can, and sow them into whomever we meet, that is enough. God is so beautiful in the way that he loves, the way that he moves, the way that he works. And I trust that HE can do amazing things, no matter the time. My Daddy has to time restraints.
If you are interested in following along on this new journey please feel free to subscribe to my World Race blog. You can do so putting your email address in the link over on the left where it says, “Subscribe for Blog Updates.” It’s easy AND free. I promise.
Thank you all who have partnered with me in prayer as I embark on this new journey. Thank you so much for your support! At this point I still lack $14,660.13 to be fully funded for the World Race. My first deadline for the World Race is June 1st, where I will need to have $3,500 in order to continue on to Training Camp. If you feel lead to partner with me financially you can do so by clicking the link titled “Support Saige” (which can be found under my profile picture.) and making a tax-deductible donation.
You can also do so by mailing a to “Adventures in Missions” with “CAMPBELLWHITNEY” (Whitney is my first name, for those of you who might be confused by that) in the memo line and mailing that to:
You can also do so by mailing a to “Adventures in Missions” with “CAMPBELLWHITNEY” (Whitney is my first name, for those of you who might be confused by that) in the memo line and mailing that to:
Adventures in Missions
PO Box 534470
Atlanta, GA 30353-4470
