[First published on 7/14/2015. To view the original newsletter, click here.]
Hi family and friends!
Thank you all for your many encouraging words from my first newsletter! Your support and faith in me for this most unusual journey affirms and reassures my decision to go on The World Race…so thank you again!
So I guess I didn’t do a good enough job sharing some details about my upcoming trip since I got many of the same questions from people…so more Q&A time! And I promise this one is shorter, LOL
Which 11 countries will you be going to?
My trip will focus on three global regions: Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe and Southern Africa. As of now, my current route is as follows:
Jan. 2016 – Philippines
Feb. 2016 – Laos
Mar. 2016 – Thailand
Apr. 2016 – Cambodia
May 2016 – Montenegro
Jun. 2016 – Bulgaria
Jul. 2016 – Romania
Aug. 2016 – Ukraine
Sep. 2016 – Zambia
Oct. 2016 – Botswana
Nov. 2016 – South Africa
What’s also different and special about this particular route is that my team will be an international one made up of people from various countries (also known as the Fusion squad). This will be only the second time ever that The World Race is offering the Fusion squad (all other squads are US-based) and is one I am very excited about. Not only will I learn about how God moves and ministers in different cultures from the nations I visit, but also from the very people on my own team!
What will you be doing on the trip?
To be honest, I don’t know exactly. But I think it’ll depend on what the needs are of the particular country and community that our team will be visiting throughout our route. It could be caring for orphans in the Philippines, or befriending a human trafficking victim in Thailand, or teaching English to a gypsy community in Romania, or simply providing hope and love to the poor of Zambia. Be ready for anything basically!
And from the blogs and videos I’ve seen from other World Racers, that seems to be the prevailing theme — to be ready for any and everything, to expect the unexpected from God.
And while it’s a little scary not knowing exactly what I’ll be doing or where I’ll be sleeping or what I’ll be eating over there, I’m excited to delve into this new unknown headfirst and experience what new mercies God will show me each and every day I’m out there. So once I get more details on what our specific plans are for each country, I’ll make sure to update everyone!
[Watch this video from the FIRST Fusion squad on Cambodia, one of the countries on my trip. It might be a small glimpse into what I could be doing there as well!]
How much will everything cost? Are you doing any fundraising?
Ahh…the money question, haha. Honestly, this is something I don’t enjoy talking about so I’ll cut to the chase — the estimated total cost is $16,562 and is the amount of money I need to raise. This amount will cover all of my transportation (airfare, bus, etc), lodging and meals as well as pay for training, field support and other administrative and logistical needs for the entire 11 month trip.
I know…that’s a lot of money. And truthfully, I have doubts about being able to reach that goal. But that’s when I am reminded of God’s faithfulness and provision for me in my past missions trips. He not only covered my individual financial needs each and every time, but for my entire team as well. So I will continue to trust in His providence, knowing that the Lord has led me to embark on this unique adventure and that He will make the way for me to get there.
And as for fundraising, I only have one — personal donations from you all, my family and friends. While I’ve done various fundraising events for past missions trips, I don’t think I’ll be doing any this time around. It’s not that I don’t need them, but instead I am fully confident that God has already surrounded me with the right people to support me thru this journey. Whether it was thru school or church or friends, in my high school and college days or times thereafter, I believe all of my friendships and experiences over the years have shaped me into the person I am now who is crazy enough to go on this World Race ride…so thanks for that!
But all kidding aside, I ask that you prayerfully consider supporting me financially this upcoming year because I know I can’t do it without your prayers and support. And if you are led to do so, you can help by using this link below!
[Select Support a World Racer and enter my full name, Sang Yeop Park!]
So if you’ve read this far, congrats! 🙂 and thank you again for joining me on what will be a life-changing and life-opening experience. Hopefully this is just the beginning of an amazing run together on The World Race!
In the coming months, I hope to update you all on my training progress and what my plans are before my departure date…so stay tuned!
By His Love,
Sang Park
