Why The World Race?

When I was a kid, I never wanted to be a missionary. I always told myself that mission trips were great, but they were great for other people. If you had asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, my answers included the following: a teacher, a police officer, a lawyer, a doctor. All normal things that kids want when they become adults. But I never wanted to be a missionary.

In 2015, however, when my life changed forever. My father’s job was transferring him to Texas. I was 19 and was taking online classes for a degree I had no interest in. My family was moving, and I had to make a decision. Either go with them to another state where we knew no one, or stay in Colorado where there was familiarity and comfort. In a moment of confusion, I prayed that God would show me where I was supposed to go. From the moment I said amen, there was no question where He was calling me. I was moving to Texas.

Moving to a new state was completely terrifying. I had no friends, no job, and no idea what I was doing. I ended up dropping out of school so that I could get a full time job to help my family. Every dream job I had as a child felt impossible, completely out of reach and untouchable. And then, in the midst of the chaos and confusion, was a whisper. Missions. The very thing I didn’t ever see myself doing, God was calling me to do.

Through my research, I found The World Race. I knew instantly that this was something I wanted to do. I was hypnotized by the idea, and wanted nothing more than to go. But of course, life doesn’t always work out the way you want it to. For 4 years, I played the same game of “when is the right time to go?” The moment I thought I was supposed to go, something would always come up. Over and over again, without fail. I always found an excuse of why I couldn’t go. But in November of this year, I decided it was time to try my hand at international missions. I went to Guatemala with Adventures In Missions for a week long trip. I had the opportunity to speak with others who had been on the race. They fueled the fire inside of me that had started to diminish. I knew that this was the time. No more excuses, no more waiting. God was telling me that now was time. I just needed to trust Him enough to take the first step. And honestly, it is completely terrifying. And yet, I have peace. I know that He will provide everything I need, and He will be there every step of the way. No matter what.