Wow. This is it. I’m going on the World Race Gap Year. The Lord has led me on a crazy ride to be at this point, and I am ecstatic to finally be here! A few months ago I really was beginning to be at a loss in regards to my future. I did not know what college to attend, what to major in, where I wanted to be…My life was a big ol’ question mark. It was at this time that I started looking into gap year programs. I thought, well, maybe college straight after high school is not what God wants for me. So, I started looking. World Race was one of the first programs I stumbled upon, and I bookmarked it for later, I showed it to my parents, and I asked them to pray.
At this point, I took a big turn backwards and delved back into the college search. I visited a few colleges, and some I really liked. I started to receive some scholarships and get accepted to schools, I even was able to get on a couple of the schools’ soccer teams, and I began to get excited about the college experience, at least that’s what I was telling myself. In reality, I did not have any peace over going to college. I knew in my heart that it was not what God wanted of me, but I was running, running, running! No matter how hard I ran though, the World Race was always in the back of my mind. I found myself considering it more and more. Considering what it would be like to be gone for 9 months, living a life of abandonment, living completely in the comfort of my Father’s arms. I considered being stripped of all that I have known, all that I have done, and coming before the Lord for 9 months of purely relying on Him for comfort, hope, and peace. And I was scared. So I ran.
That all changed after a conversation with my parents. They came to me one day and told me “Will, we really believe that this World Race Gap Year program is what God wants you to do, ” and I knew they were right. I always had known that it was what God wanted, I just did not want to accept it. I had been scared stressed for months over my future, trying to desperately find the perfect college and the perfect career, when it was not what God had for me. I had been searching without the Lord’s help, and no results were turning up, and I was at a loss for what to do next. I was at a state of brokenness. And so I prayed. “God, if this is what you have for me, here I am, take me,” and I hit the submit button for my World Race Application. The peace was immediate. In that moment I knew without a shadow of doubt that I was supposed to leave in September for a 9 month mission trip. I was immediately brought to tears of thankfulness and hope. My God had a plan for me! Since then I grow more and more excited for this race. Everyday I find myself thinking about the people I will reach, the places I will visit, the foods I will eat, and also the hardships I will face, the trials I will have to overcome, and the heartbreak I will struggle through. Even though I know it will be very hard sometimes, I know that I have a Redeemer who loves me, and that His plan is the greatest plan. I know He will have me in His hand the whole way, and as long as I stay there, I cannot be shaken.
So, my family and friends, I am going on a 9 month mission trip to three different countries: one in Southeast Asia, one in Central America, and one in Africa. Needless to say, I am going to need your support! Please pray for me as God leads me into this next stage of my life, and if God so leads you, make a donation to help fund my trip! One upcoming deadline that I would especially like your support in is that by May 13th I have to have $6000 in my account. That’s a lot of money to raise in a very short time, but I know that with God, nothing is impossible, and I’m excited to see how He works it into being. If you feel like God is leading you to donate in my support, you can do it directly from my blog under “Support Me!”. More on fundraising to come. I cannot wait to see what the future holds, and I am more than willing to share any and all experiences with you. As this is my first blog post, I will do my best to keep you all up to date on my comings and goings. This summer is going to be a busy one, I hope you all will share it with me.
Love you all and God bless!
Will
“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” – Proverbs 19:21
