Good afternoon friends and family!
I am so happy to be writing a quick post about why I’ve decided to go on an 11-month mission trip with the World Race, starting in September, 2024. We’ll be traveling to these areas, in order; Kenya, Uganda, Turkey, Republic of Georgia, Nepal and India.
God is so faithful! I’ve had missions on my heart since I’ve been in my early teens. Who knows exactly how things are going to pan out, or exactly in what time-frame… so it feels very surreal that at 28 years old I get to start this new adventure. I feel as though it’s the perfect time in my life to have this green light, open-door opportunity to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel”- literally! Right now more than ever, I am convinced that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. While there have been other previous seasons in my life when I’ve really wanted to go on a long trip like this, I’m confident that this is the perfect time for me.
While I love this type of travel lifestyle; living out of suitcase, meeting new people, experiencing new cultures- my ambition in going is to, of course, share the Gospel and help disciple those who are already believers. To not just help people by giving them financial resources (which we’ll always have the opportunity to do)… but to offer myself. To offer my presence, yielded to the presence and person of Jesus. What a privilege it will be to be able to live around and be face to face with those of all ages, backgrounds, perspectives, cultures and beliefs. And for a sliver of my many years, to have the opportunity to freely serve those the Lord brings across my path. I hope to “wash their feet” (John 13:14) by 1) physically helping them with their needs that are brought to my attention mainly through the ministries we’ll be partnering with, 2) by offering my relationship with them. By being a friend or emotional support to those of orphan-like circumstances. And, 3) to encourage them in their personal relationship with God. Here are a few scriptures in reference to each of those points:
1) 1 John 3:18 AMP “Little children (believers, dear ones), let us not love [merely in theory] with word or with tongue [giving lip service to compassion], but in action and in truth [in practice and in sincerity, because practical acts of love are more than words].”
2) James 1:27 NLT “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.”
3) Romans 10:14-15 NIV “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” and Matthew 28:19-20 NLT “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
So, that is a little bit about my ambitions in going! 🙂 I also trust and plan on my squad and I having lots of fun, making memories and lasting friendships. I can’t wait to tell the stories!
God bless! <3
Gina
