Hey y’all!
I am so excited to share some big news with you…
I’M GOING ON THE WORLD RACE!
(Photo by: Elizabeth Ennis) Check her out @eennis05
This time next year, I’ll be halfway across the world with only a backpack full of belongings. I’ll be on a yearlong mission trip that will take me to three continents and 11 countries.
That’s hard to imagine as I sit in my air-conditioned office in Memphis, Tennessee, wearing a dress and heels. The thought of this journey, named “The World Race,” is as baffling as it is exciting for me, but my reasons for taking up this challenge are clear.
So why am I leaving? Why am I giving up a life of comforts and opportunities so I can go serve people I have never met in countries I have never seen—where I may be in harm’s way?
It all starts with this story. A few years ago, a girl from my church went on the World Race. We had mutual friends, so I would hear about her trip every now and then from other people. Of course it sounded really awesome because anyone who knows me knows I love traveling to new places; I love talking to strangers; and I love Jesus. However, at the time, I had just started my full-time job at Varsity Spirit Brands, the company I had dreamed of working for since I was 15 years old, and it seemed like everything was falling into place. I was happy. Yes, the World Race sounded cool, but ehhhhh my life was pretty great! I didn’t want to leave it all to go live in a tent. (I don’t camp. HA!) I could tell people about Jesus in Memphis and still keep my “great” life.
Over the following year, God placed on my heart a strong desire to start a ministry that focused on helping teenagers. I didn’t really know what that looked like specifically, but I knew it was something that I was supposed to do. I regularly asked God for a clear direction, but I wasn’t getting a clear answer or at least that’s what it felt like. Even then, the World Race would randomly pop into my mind ever so often and I would talk about it with a few people, but I kept shoving it in the back of my mind—cool to think about but not realistic enough to pursue…until I went on a mission trip to San Pedro Sula, Honduras, this past June.
Every time I prayed, the World Race would pop into my mind. I started seeing information about the World Race everywhere. Strangers (new friends) that I would meet through mutual friends would tell me how they went on the World Race. Even a lady I babysit for had a family friend that went on the World Race. I was likeeee ok ok ok, Lord. I get it. But even after that, I still wanted God to confirm that leaving the States for a year was the right thing to do, and sure enough he did. The top three concerns that I had…. God pushed aside. I felt a sense of peace like God was saying stop; I got this. This is the direction I want you to go right now.
I love when God shows up and shows out like that!!
This is how I see it. God has provided me with an opportunity to help make a difference in a personal and powerful way in the lives of people who have never had the opportunities my country has offered to me or experienced the blessings my God has given me. That’s an offer that is too good to refuse.
So here’s a list of the countries on my October 2018 route: Drum roll pleaseeeeeee!!
Philippines
Thailand
Malaysia
Lesotho
Swaziland
South Africa
Nicaragua
Costa Rica
Panama
Columbia
Ecuador
Prior to my launch (October 2018), I will be reaching out for a strong support team. Even beyond fundraising around $20,000 (hope you like t-shirts, 5ks, golf tournaments, etc. haha! P.S. if you click the “donate” button at the top, it’s tax deductible), I know preparation spiritually takes the cake. Spiritual warfare is real. Ephesians 6:10-12 says, “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” We can only stand strong in the Lord’s power. It is God’s armor that protects us, and our battle is ultimately against spiritual forces of evil in the world.
I need your prayers—starting right now. Please pray for protection over my team as we prep, launch and travel to these countries, and pray that the people we are going to be coming into contact with have open hearts to hear about God’s love for them.
As a follower of Christ, it is my desire to bring relief and a message of hope and redemption by sharing the gospel to those in need, just as hope and redemption were offered to me in my lowest moments.
It has always been difficult for me to share my low moments (or what I saw as weaknesses) with people, even those closest to me. But it’s real. It’s life. Everyone experiences high and low times, and that’s ok. I want to give up my illusion of control or sense of power by not keeping those stories (God’s stories) to myself. “To God be the glory..” God was there with me in those moments, and God will be there with you too. Sometimes we all need to be reminded of the solid, loyal relationship that God wants with us.
I want this blog to be a reflection of that—the highs and lows. I want to be real with you. It’s not going to be easy. None of this will. I’m selling almost everything and leaving my family, friends and job that I love, but I know it will be worth it.
“Here I am. Send me.” -Isaiah 6:8
I will be posting regularly to this blog, so click “subscribe for updates” under my name at the top. You can also follow me on instagram @thesavvystory for pictures and updates. If you have any travel tips or want to know more ways to help, I would love to chat with you. Thank you for your support, prayers and reading my FIRST BLOG until the very end- Y’all are my A1’s since day 1. Haha!! LOVE YOUUUUU!!!
If you have a minute, check out my announcement video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ci37L75YCZ4
