When people ask me how the World Race (WR) was, I wouldn’t tell them that I loved it…that’s because I didn’t. Those 11 months on the race was the hardest year of my life and there were many times during the first 7 months when I wanted to quit and travel on my own. However, despite the struggles I experienced, the months I felt alone, the numerous times I broke down, and the challenges I had to learn to overcome, looking back, I can see why God did it. God needed me to:
Pre-Race
- Be sick of being lukewarm (Crazy Love by Francis Chan) and crave the ability to be totally reliant on Him, be serious about walking-the-talk and truly experiencing God for who He says He is in the bible. A recap of why I decided to do the WR: http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=world-what-sarah-what-are-you-doing
- Notice the world through His eyes and know that I can learn something anywhere that I am: http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=17-countries-35-months-2line-life-lessons
- Be hungry to hear His voice, be confident to speak out for Him and know what prophecy is really about: http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=prophesying-umleave-it-to-the-prophets-or-the-spiritually-gifted-but-thats-not-for-me
- Understand what Christianity is all about and despite my age and years of growing up in the church, I still may not get it: http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=prophesying-umleave-it-to-the-prophets-or-the-spiritually-gifted-but-thats-not-for-me
- Change my worldly perspective of what I think is important and seek Him to provide for my needs: http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=packing-one-backpack-11-months-11-countries-luke-stressing-me-out
- Let go of my financial independence and allow Him to magnify my faith: http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=my-battle-against-being-a-financially-independent-asian
- Know that that no matter where I am, He is already there and is moving: http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=god-prepping-me-for-the-race-southern-style
- Believe and witness His healing power and His “literal” guidance towards specific people He wanted us to pray for: http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=can-god-really-heal-like-he-did-in-the-bible-part-1 & http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=can-god-really-heal-like-he-did-in-the-bible-part-2
- Boast in my weakness and trust that He will give me strength in positions or areas I felt incapable: http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=sarah-cheung-is-the-squads-safety-coordinator-you-got-to-be-kidding-me
Month 1: Romania
- See each person as an individual who is loved by Christ and has a uniquely given name and story: http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=minorities
- Trust that He knows what I need: http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=refreshment
- Understand what the great commission of “making disciples” truly meant and partner with His disciples who are already sowing the seed in the harvest field: http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=my-expectations-of-ministry-turned-upsidedown
Month 2: Moldova/Transnistria & Ukraine
- Always choose love and walk in God’s truth, especially when it gets hard: http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=sisterhood
- Entrust that He is looking out for the people in my life that have chosen to not believe in Him, knowing that He loves them unconditionally and is waiting for them with open arms to choose to want a relationship with Him: http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=the-parable-of-the-lost-girls
- Know that my identity is in Jesus, not as a teacher and I can rely on Him always: http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=the-brick-the-weed-and-the-concrete
- Recognise that Satan can take over my thoughts and the negative thoughts need to be “puked out:” http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=puking-on-my-birthday
- Believe that He is worth more than anything and everything that I own, and declare that everything I own or have been entrusted with, is His: http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=official-declaration
- Trust in His plans and know that despite changes, His purpose for any of my trips will be way better than what I could imagine or expect: http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=preparing-me-for-disappointment
Month 3: Ireland
- See and experience effective yet simple evangelism in practice and how to be good stewards of Jesus’ love, grace and providence: http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=from-avoiding-evangelism-to-seeking-it-out
- Understand that it’s ok to be independent but it’s not ok to be prideful. God created us to be in relationship with him and his people, and we need to accept that put others before us: First Entry – http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=12-days-of-christmoments
Month 4: India
- Remember that He has called me on this trip and I need to make the most of my experience and to take every moment for what it’s worth: http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=india-we-came-indians-we-become
- Remember that I am here on this race to serve others and not myself, and to welcome new gifts so I am able to further His ministry: http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=from-the-pew-to-the-pulpit
- Set aside my differences and learn to love the people He has placed around me: http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=i-cant-wait-til-its-over
- Remember that whatever I do, I am doing it for God, not for others: 2nd Entry – http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=12-days-of-christmoments
Month 5: Nepal
- Recognise my pride and self-righteousness, and learn to ask for forgiveness: http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=im-sorry
- Experience brokenness: 3rd Entry – http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=12-days-of-christmoments
- Remember that when I am experiencing change, He is there with me and has gone before me: http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=change-minitestimony
- See death as a time to celebrate and remember the lives that were lived and the impact they had made in other people’s lives: http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=death
- Recognise the need for good translators and the start of a new personally aspiration: 4th Entry – http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=12-days-of-christmoments
- Be reminded of His abundant love and forgiveness: 5th Entry – http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=12-days-of-christmoments
- Appreciate, rejoice and enjoy the gift of the Sabbath: 6th Entry – http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=12-days-of-christmoments
- Consciously choosing joy in all circumstances as this shows true boldness and me walking in His steps: 7th Entry – http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=12-days-of-christmoments
- Recognise Him in other people and love them well: 8th Entry – http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=12-days-of-christmoments
- Not worry about what the world thinks but rather, what He thinks: 9th Entry – http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=12-days-of-christmoments
Month 6: Swaziland
- Be reminded that I need to honour and please Him, rather than men, and to rely on God for strength: 10th Entry – http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=12-days-of-christmoments
- Trust that He sees the bigger picture, he loves us so much and everything he does is for our own good: 11th Entry – http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=12-days-of-christmoments
- Realise how precious every moment of every day is with the people that He has place in my life: 12th Entry – http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=12-days-of-christmoments
Month 7: South Africa
- Recognise there are no restrictions or set dates with Him so that if I wanted to make a change in my life right now, I can: http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=new-years-resolutionsnever-again
- Experience real fear but know that He will not let it take over my life and He will get me through it: http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=facetoface-with-a-criminal
- Understand that everyone is on their own journey with Him and I can’t let others opinions and emotions affect me and my journey: http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=lets-just-agree-to-disagree-the-statement-that-is-killing-my-race
- Enjoy this time of singleness, growth and season where He is shaping me more into the woman He has created me to be: http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=twentysix-never-been-kissed
- Learn to choose love, when it’s hard and you don’t want to: http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=choosing-love-when-everything-points-to-hate
- Recognise that I’m a true sinner and still need Jesus: http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=im-not-going-to-lie-im-true-born-sinner
- Stop misjudging others, but rather, start hearing people’s stories: http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=i-felt-a-bullet-in-his-body
Month 8: Thailand
- Humble myself and notice that I still have so much to learn and grow in my character: http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=you-think-youre-right-but-youre-wrong
- Believe and recognise that I am beautiful: http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=im-too-fat
- Be a prayful woman: http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=broken-promises
- Recognise that life and ministry are the same thing: http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=im-not-doing-ministry-anymore
- Recognise that jealousy hurts and prevents relationships from growing: http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=i-cant-stand-her
Month 9: Cambodia
- Want all of His attention, recognition and acknowledgement, instead of seeking it out from others: http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=if-only-someone-noticed
- Appreciate relationships no matter if they are considered best, close etc., we are made to connect with one another: http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=best-friends-dont-exist
- Identify travelling as a way for me to meet God: http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=discovering-my-one-true-love
Month 10: Malaysia
- Notice His Sovereignty and presence through my inadequacy and fear of failure; that He gives me success or a chance to grow in my failure in whatever field He places me in: http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=failure-is-not-an-option
Month 11: Hong Kong & China
- Notice and treasure my family: http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=reuniting-with-the-cheungs
- Notice the poor, break my heart for them and grow a desire in me to give: http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=i-see-a-homeless-beggar-seriously-wwjd
- Encounter and be excited to encounter Jesus daily and prepare me for what life will be like after the race: http://sarahcheung.theworldrace.org/?filename=finding-jesus-in-a-country-where-he-does-not-exist
Post-Race:
One last one to be posted shortly and then that’s it for awhile I promise!
So yes, it was the hardest year of my life, but I can honestly say, it was the most growing and life-changing year out of my 26 years. I thought this year would be about me giving my life completely over to God but instead, He has given Himself completely over to me. Through all these experiences, He has made himself known to me personally and intimately. I cannot believe how ignorant and prideful I’ve been to say that this year was about me being obedient and doing things for God when in fact, this whole year, God has been pouring Himself so deeply into my life. His love and faithfulness has greatly surpassed mine and He has blessed me abundantly, showing and proving Himself to me over and over again of how faithful, trustworthy and reliable He truly is. His promises are real and I can’t begin to tell you how many times His delivered and been true to His word.
I never deserved this opportunity but God chose me, offered it to me and I will always look back on the year with gratitude and humility. Thank you Jesus for opening up the doors for me to apply for this trip. It definitely wasn’t an easy ride but You made it happen and I’m so glad Your purpose has been fulfilled in my life.
Thank you also to everyone that has been part of this journey with me:
To my squad: Even though we’ve had some ups and downs, I couldn’t have learnt all these things or grown in areas I didn’t know I needed to grow in without you. So thank you, from the bottom of my heart. I pray that wherever we go from here and whatever journey and new adventure God takes us, God continues to shine His light ever so brightly and clearly ahead of you; to guide you to do radical things for His glory and build His everlasting Kingdom.
To my family and friends/blog readers: Thank you once again for taking the time to read one or all of my blogs. It means so much to me and I pray that it has been encouraging and has brought hope, shed some light and opened your eyes to truly know who this Jesus guy is all about.
I definitely know that it was a privilege to have participated in the World Race, so I guess I’m asking you…where is God taking you? Could it be the WR or another Christian organisation? Whatever it is, pray about it, listen to that still small voice and obey it. You will be amazed by where God takes you and what adventure that will follow!
I love you all and you will always be remembered as a part of my 2013-2014 World Race adventure.
