Hey guys! 

I can't believe it has been a little over a month since I decided to go on the World Race trip next year. So I wanted to share more about why I am going. 

All throughout high school I went on mission trips to Mexico, those trips will always be close to my heart. Each trip we built a house for a family. I have always felt like I want to do mission trips through out my whole life. My last mission was in 2019. Since attending a new church and everything with COVID, I hadn't thought seriously about a mission trip. This year as the world has been coming together a little more and opportunities are back open, I began thinking about the possibility of going on a mission trip next year. I began looking into places I would like to travel to and ministries that would provide me those opportunities. I quickly came across World Race and quickly became interested. Somewhere around that same time I felt like God was putting Africa on my heart but I did not know with who I decided to go with would have a trip to Africa. My mind became burdened with so many details I realized I need to pray for guidance. World Race started sending me emails and I remembered I started making an account, it then became obvious they were going to keep emailing me since they had my information. I ignored it a couple of times and planned to look back into it later. After multiple emails I finally decided to read up more on World Race because those emails became a reminder. As I looked into them I felt like their Ministry was much like that of Christ's. I began to feel God drawing me in to apply as if this was something He has been preparing me for. At first I applied for their 11 month trip but then I realized I would not be able to make my brothers graduation in 2023 if I did that. After I had an interview and got accepted I was told if I want to go on a different trip they could transfer my acceptance to that trip. I decided I wanted to go on one of their semester trips which have options for trips of 1-3 months. Those trips however were not yet posted so I had to wait for them to post them so I could choose. When they were posted I saw an option to go to Africa on a two month mission trip, in that moment I knew that was where I was going. In Africa we will be doing children's ministry, leadership discipleship, sports ministry, community outreach and community development. I love kids, I play sports and have coached volleyball and gymnastics. I was a leader in the junior high youth group at the church I grew up in and worked in other ministries. I feel like all the areas I have been able to serve in have grown me and prepared me for this trip. I know God has also been preparing me for this mission and I'm excited to see Him grow and prepare my heart even more between now and the time I leave. 

So again why am I going on the World Race? Because my heart is in this mission for God to be given glory and I want to be apart of what He is doing there in Africa.