let’s go –

asking, is any of this for real or not?
(because how can these things be?)

our broken hearts mirror a broken world.

some of you reading this may know me, others may not. in the last few years i’ve been working as a nurse practitioner – and i love my job; it’s a privilege to care for my patients, but i’ve always held a passion for travel and mission work. there is something inside that is r e s t l e s s; and i hear the call from God to make a longer term commitment. and it was in the phillipines this year, standing at the window in the airport, about to return home after another mission trip, watching the planes blinking in the dark, gripping the rail with sweaty palms, unable to b r e a t h e , feeling devastated to be coming home,

because the work is unfinished, i am unfinished.

the world race, a program through adventures in missions, is a dream i have had for three years. it is a non denominational christian mission trip designed for visiting 11 countries in 11 months. the idea is to serve people around the world and be the hands and feet of Jesus by partnering with local churches, ministries, and organizations in a variety of ways, including things like: working in orphanages, assisting with church planting, teaching english, reaching out to those in poverty, working in feeding centers, and helping women and children trapped in prostitution as a result of human trafficking.

what i love about adventures in missions is that these trips are intended to provide aide to local communities, churches, and organizations, in ways that encourage and empower them for longer term sustainability of their work. in addition, it’s an intensive discipleship program and gives us as missionaries the training and tools to do this kind of work during our journey and throughout our lives.

the eleven countries on my route:
chile
bolivia
argentina
cambodia
thailand
serbia
romania
bulgaria
ethiopia
rwanda
uganda

and though this will be an adventure, this is not a vacation.

this is going to some of the poorest regions across the world, living out of a backpack, often in physical discomfort & illness, and emotionally spent, but even so that will be nothing compared to the conditions we will witness people of the world living in, day after day after day –

it’s international geographic,

(and the thing is,
i’m terrified).

i am afraid – but where i am weak, God is strong – and most of all this is an opportunity to show love in a world that often no longer knows what that looks like, to serve people in other nations, to walk with Jesus, to learn how to make an impact in a world where it seems impossible. because there is so much that breaks my heart and i know it breaks God’s too – and it is my honor and duty as a human being and a Christian to do what i can, because i believe the way you live your life says more than words ever could.

i see my own red hands and am not at ease in this world,
and i don’t have to be at the top of the mountain
to know my answer: send me.

and it does not escape me that to have this chance is a privilege.

as i prepare for this, there is an elephant in the room: one of my challenges as i prepare includes financial support, and raising the funds which will cover my expenses for the 11 months.

i need to raise $18,017.

and this is something i cannot do alone.
and it’s awkward for you,
it’s awkward for me,
but i need your help.

to donate, you can click on donate at the top of this blog page, or write a check to adventures in missions.

i want to be transparent in this process, and my next blog will breakdown how the $18,017 is allocated, and share all of my financial deadlines.

would you please consider being a part of this journey with me, either by prayer, encouragement, or financial support?

if you have any questions, please contact me.

i look forward to sharing this adventure with you!
thank you for your time and consideration,