If this is the very first time you’ve heard of the World Race, you’re probably wondering what exactly it is. For a short and sweet answer, it is 11 countries in 11 months, sharing the gospel and God’s love with the people we will meet. You can watch the video below as well – just 3 minutes but a great introduction to the Race!
Another important bit of information: WHY I want to do the World Race.
It’s simple, really. The World Race combines some of the things I am most passionate about:
1. Getting to meet new people and learn about different cultures. I was involved in Diversity Club in high school and the International Student Organization at my college. I spent a year studying and living in Spain, and I loved having the chance to meet fellow students from all over Europe, the Americas, and Asia. When we got together you could hear at least 3 or 4 languages being spoken at once, and it was fantastic.
2. Traveling. My sophomore year of high school was the first time I went overseas, as part of our band trip that year. It was only 10 days, but I still remember joking with friends about finding a way to be left behind. If there had been any way that we really could have done so without the band directors realizing what happened until it was too late, I would seriously have considered going for it. When you can travel in a way that incorporates the first point (such as CouchSurfing – staying with locals wherever you go rather than in a hotel), that makes for an even better experience.
3. Last but certainly not least, missions. I became especially interested in missions when I had a chance to hear Steve Saint speak at a fall retreat for Campus Crusade (Cru) my freshman year. This past year I’ve had a chance to hear a number of missionaries speak as part of a life group I have been a part of, and my interest has only grown.
Will I encounter situations that take me out of my comfort zone? Without a doubt – but sometimes that needs to happen in order for you to grow. There will be times that I simply don’t know what to say, or that I’m scared or nervous about this or that. There will also be some amazing, life-changing moments during the 11 months on the Race.
This is a risk. It will be a challenge in more ways than one. But it is worth it. In church this past Sunday our pastor talked about the parable of the sower, and how the point is not that we should try to categorize everyone around us, but rather that we should be like the farmer. He spread the seed everywhere. On the Race, that is what we will be doing. We will show God’s love in our words and actions, praying and hoping to touch lives as we go. There will be many different reactions, some positive, some negative. But the point is to get the message out there, and let God take over from there.
Thanks for reading. Feel free to share, and if it sounds like something you would be interested in supporting, I would be extremely grateful! There are links on the side to subscribe to updates here, as well as to donate.
Hasta luego!
~Stephanie
