Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved watching movies, TV shows and documentaries about other cultures- their wildlife; their politics; their people, their culture. Looking back, I see this as God building a desire in my heart, a desire to love people from all over the world. This desire was solidified in my life in the summer of 2010. That summer I went to Haiti for a week. To be honest, I didn’t want to go. But God is so good, and He brings people into your life to point you on the right path.
My best friend at that time loved missions. In fact, she had already been to Haiti. She practically begged me to go, and reluctantly, I gave in. Had I known what was to happen, I would not have put up an argument at all. In fact, in that one week I became so in love with the Lord that I didn’t understand how I could have been missing out on it for so long. In that week the Lord called me and told me “You will tell the world about me.” And this has been confirmed many times over in my life since then.
Fast-forward a couple of years. While visiting a church seminar with a friend, I was picked randomly to come to the front and be prayed for so those individuals could practice listening to the Lord and speaking over specific people. This had never happened to me before. While praying, all four individuals spoke about me bringing families together, working with many different cultures and being able to teach others the good news, specifically children.
Another instance in which this was confirmed in my life was when I found Southwestern. I had prayed and asked God that He would show me the school He wanted me to go to. And if He wanted me to go for missions, then He would have to make a way for me to go to school debt-free, because I would not want to enter missions owing money. And friends, He provided.
Truly, God’s plan does not lack His provision.
As a freshman in college I learned about the World Race. While scrolling through Facebook one day a promo video came up. Intrigued, I clicked on it and begin to watch. Truly from that moment, I began praying. Could this be something the Lord would allow me to do? My heart yearned for what I was seeing- sharing God’s love, working in orphanages, exploring the world that the Lord has created. And I continued to pray.
So friends, here I am, three years later! And He has answered, yes! So what is The World Race? It is an 11 month mission trip to 11 different countries. My team and I will spend a month in each country. Each month will consist of different ministry opportunities. Some of these include construction, working in orphanages, teaching English, working with sex trafficking victims and street evangelism. Our countries are
Panama
Costa Rica
Nicaragua
El Salvador
Malawi
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Cambodia
Thailand
Indonesia
and Malaysia.
But here is the truth, Christianity is meant to be lived in community. We pray with one another (Matthew 18:20), confess to one another (James 5:16) and encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11). We are even called to rely on one another (Ecclesiastes 4:10-12, Philippians 2:4, 1 Corinthians 12:20-21). Taking all of this into consideration, I know I can’t go on this trip without all of you. There are three main ways you can help me.
First, pray pray pray. Please. I can’t imagine leaving my family, my friends and the convenience of the American life for an entire year, but at the same time, I can’t imagine not doing so! Pray for wisdom for me, as well as the team I will be traveling with and that I would truly embody Christ as I follow Him here in the States and on the race.
Second, subscribe and share this post! The more people that know what I am trying to accomplish, the quicker I can finish fundraising!
Lastly, join me as I trust the Lord for this next stage of my life by supporting me financially. I have to raise around $18,000 for this trip. That is all of my living expenses for almost an entire year (minus one week)- all of my travelling costs (planes, trains and buses), all of my food and all of my lodging, not to mention medical insurance, training and a debrief. (This is less money than I would spend living in the States for a year just paying for rent, food and living expenses.)
So why do I want to do this?
Because it makes my heart explode with happiness to think about.
Because my eyes sparkle when I talk about it.
Because my soul yearns to serve.
Because the Lord loves me more than I could ever understand or explain and He loves everyone in that same way.
Because I want people to know that truth.
Because I want to leave a legacy of bravery and a childlike spirit.
Because the Lord has called me and I want to obey.
So thank you. Thank you for making it through this post. Thank you for joining me as I follow the Lord and thank you for love and support!
I love you all,
Taylor Stamp
