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Hello everyone! Welcome to my World Race blog! I’m SO excited to be committed to the World Race and for my upcoming journey, but I realize many of you don’t know what it is or how I got to this point, so here I am to tell you about it on this first blog post. This blog is where I’ll be posting updates and keeping in touch with you all on my time away on the World Race, so if you want to stay updated and hear about my adventures, please subscribe! 🙂

So… why am I going on the World Race? 

I was actually first told about the World Race the summer after 8th grade, before I had even started high school! I was at a summer camp, and my camp counselor told me about how she had done the World Race as a gap year and absolutely loved it. As I heard more about it, I was entranced and immediately set on doing it. As soon as I got home from camp, I researched all I could, enthusiastically telling my parents that I was going to do this, to which they supportively nodded along.

Fast forward to high school, and it was no longer at the forefront of my mind. I mean, it was four years away, right? I had plenty of time! I worked hard at school, and as I continued through the months and years, I forgot about it more and more. It seemed the thing to do was go straight to college, especially if you were a good student, like I was. Nobody I knew of took gap years anyways. Junior year, I took on a ridiculous course load and burned myself out. People began to ask me where I wanted to go to college and what I wanted to do, and I would try and make up answers, but really, I didn’t know yet. I did know, however, that every time someone asked me about college, a little voice in the back of my mind would say, “or a gap year!” because ultimately, I was still being called to the World Race, although I didn’t fully realize it.

As I sat down this last summer, after my junior year, to begin researching colleges, I had no idea where I wanted to go, nor was I very excited. As many of you know, the year before I had taken a three-week trip to Ghana that was pretty life changing. I had such an amazing time serving and exploring a new culture, but most of all, just being with the kids there was incredible. I had never seen so much joy in my life, especially coming from people who had so little possessions, and I got to genuinely experience how Jesus sees the world. I learned so much in my time, and it was so amazing to be able to love others and form a community in a completely different part of the world. Reminiscing on this, I knew I wanted to do something like it again and for much longer, which lead me back to the World Race. I couldn’t remember the name of it at first, but I researched it again and the same enthusiasm I had before came rushing back. I immediately felt so called to it! The more I prayed and thought about my options for next year, the more I felt drawn to the World Race. By the end of the summer, I was completely set on it, so sure that this is what the Lord wants me to do.

A big part of my testimony is my journey through learning to talk to and listen to God. Hearing God is something I’ve not always been good at, so when I began to re-research the World Race this last summer and felt so strongly God telling me to do it, it was a pretty amazing experience. I’ve never been good at decisions, but this was one of the clearest decisions I’ve ever had to make. So, here I am!

I committed to the World Race at the end of the summer, and now I’m so excited to grow deeper in my relationship with the Lord, to build meaningful relationships, to step out of my comfort zone, to serve and be a light to others, and to experience some exciting new adventures all around the world!

What is the World Race?

The World Race is a branch of Adventures in Missions, a Christian missions organization that seeks to advance God’s kingdom globally. The World Race has many different programs, but I will be going on the World Race Gap Year mission trip, which is a 9-month program. At the end of August 2025, I will begin my journey, starting at training camp in Georgia, and then traveling to Guatemala, South Africa, Eswatini, and Indonesia. The training camp is filled with worship, a variety of sermons from different speakers, team bonding activities, and living out of tents. After a month and a half, we will launch out into the field, traveling to each country for many weeks at a time. During our time in these other countries, we will be partnering with various churches and organizations to meet the needs of the people in each specific country. Our efforts will include building relationships, sharing the gospel, leading children’s and youth programs, and working alongside local people in different ministries.

Where will I be going?

After training camp in Gainesville, Georgia, we’ll launch to our first country, Guatemala!

In Guatemala, where many people face poverty, we’ll be working with locals to share the love of Jesus with the communities. We’ll teach English, support children and families, and help provide for those struggling to meet their basic needs.

Next, we will travel to South Africa, known for soccer, safaris and beautiful coastline. While we are there, we will be working with children in the schools, teaching, and playing soccer! We will be meeting locals in the communities, praying for them and helping in any possible way.

Our next stop is Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland). In this country, 40% of children are orphaned, and many women are left widowed and struggling to care for their hungry kids because they lack education. We will be caring for the physical well-being of the community through the fulfillment of basic needs like food, clean water, shelter, and in their education.

Finally, we will go to Indonesia – a diverse country spread over many islands, and home to the world’s largest population of Muslim people. Much of our time here will be focused on building relationships and sharing the love of Jesus any way we can!

How can you join and support me?

As this trip gets closer, I want to invite you to be part of this amazing journey with me! Right now, my biggest need is your prayers. Please pray that God uses me in incredible ways during the trip and that He will open my eyes to where He is guiding me!

My biggest request is just that you come along on this journey with me, but if you would also like to be a financial support, that would be incredible too! The total cost of the trip is $19,500 and this will cover everything I need during the 9 months. The best way to contribute financially is through a one-time or monthly donation. (If you decide to give a monthly donation, I will reach out to you when I am fully funded so you can end your monthly giving.) All donations are tax-deductible! If God places it on your heart to support me financially, I’ve included the link to my fundraising page below.

Fundraising Page Link: https://adventuresinmissions.servicereef.com/events/adventures-in-missions-3/2025-world-race-gap-year-25g0902-copy/participants/kezia-bransford

I’m so excited for this next chapter of my life. Thank you all for being a part of my story, and for all the support and love! If you want to hear more about this amazing opportunity, feel free to reach out to me at (206) 889-2618 or at [email protected]!

Much love,

Kezia

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