Some basics for those of you just now dropping in: My sister and I are about to embark an 11-month Christian mission trip to 11 different countries across 4 continents. We’re headed to: Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Chile, Uganda, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Cambodia, and Thailand. The work will range from country to country in partnership with established ministries in each area. We’ll work in orphanages, build churches, minister to trafficked women, and more. Between the two of us, we need to raise a total of $36,000 by October 2017.
Training Camp Recap
We left training camp 5 days ago and I can still feel the grit of red Georgia earth on my skin. It gets everywhere. For days it stuck to arms and faces. Bucket showers are no match for its pervasiveness.
Training camp is a 10 day intensive in Gainesville, GA meant to prepare racers for the field. We strapped on our packs and hiked. We packed, unpacked, and re-packed, set up tents and took them down. We spent long days learning about culture, discipleship, and ourselves.
It was hard. I’m exhausted, but also exhilarated. It’s all beginning to feel very, very real.
In 34 short days, we’ll board a plane and fly to Chile, the first of 11 countries. Once there, our group of 49 will split into 7 teams of 7. The teams will spread out over the country, some in large cities, others in remote areas.
We don’t know where in the country we’re going, or what kind of work we’ll be doing. The work is completely dependent on our ministry host and their needs.
We do, however, know who we’re going with. On day 3 of camp, we were introduced to our team. For the next year, I’ll be doing ministry and living life with these 6 women. They are kind, energetic, earnest, and engaged. I’m looking forward to 11 months of miracles and service together. And in between, I know there will be laughter and strange meals and a little heartache and a lot of adventure.
So, without further ado, here are my teammates:
Edna, Team Leader
27 | Elivabethville, PA | Teacher
“God, by creative design such as only He can, spoke to me about the world race through dreams, prophecy, nature, circumstances and two amazing people… When God speaks it and we believe it, that settles it.”
ednastoltzfus.theworldrace.org | @beyondhorizons2017 | beyondhorizons2017.wordpress.com
Taylor, Treasurer
21 | Austin, TX | Studied Marketing
“My name is Taylor Schmidt, I am broken and loved and this is where my next journey begins.”
taylorschmidt.theworldrace.org
Sam, Storyteller
21 | Syracuse, NY | Studied Marketing
“I am not perfect but God is perfect. Know that God will never stop pursuing your heart.”
samhotchkiss.theworldrace.org | @sammyhotch
Kimbra
21 | Hammond, OK | Pharmacist Clerk
“I know that I am being called by God to go into the mission field and I can not wait to go on this journey.”
kimbrathomas.theworldrace.org
Katie
24 | Austin, TX | Client Care Coordinator, Pregnancy Resource Center
“I’m unbelievably excited to see different parts of the world, to meet and love new people, to use and develop my language skills, to see God work in new ways, to give everything up and truly follow him.”
katiemathews.theworldrace.org | @instamathews
Tiffany
22 | Simpsonville, SC | Studied Public Health
“Join me in the fight the Lord has called us to. Fight to follow Him. Fight for those you love. Fight to be better. Fight for people and not with them. Fight for the One who will ALWAYS fight for you.”
tiffanyking.theworldrace.org | tiffanylking.wordpress.com | @tiffanyking14
