Hello! Welcome to my Q&A blog post! I am so excited to answer YOUR questions today! Thank you for taking time out of your day to read about my journey, I appreciate it so much!! Make sure that you subscribe so that you never miss a post!!!
Q: How excited are you?
A: This is both the easiest and hardest question to answer! I am so excited about all of the opportunities I will have from the world race and about everything the Lord will show me, but it is a type of excitement I’ve never felt before. It is an expectancy of the Lord and how He is going to use and change me, an excitement about meeting my fellow racers and leaders, and a confidence that the Lord will be good through the entire journey no matter what turn it takes. I was talking to one of my squad members about how bizarre this season is and just about how difficult it is to explain the emotions and excitements we are feeling, and here is the best way I’ve found to sum it all up. When you are working for the Lord and seeking His will, you KNOW it will be good no matter what, because HE IS GOOD. There is no room for fear or doubts because of the confidence that we are free to have in Him, leaving you with pure excitement and joy about what is coming!!
Q: When did you start considering WRGY?
A: I’ve had the idea of WRGY in the back of my head for years, but it wasn’t until last summer that it became a calling that felt real in my heart. When a friend of mine (Alex) came home from her Gap Year, all I wanted to do was sit and listen to her talk about her experiences for hours (sometimes I did haha) – I was FASCINATED. But, my {extremely} detailed 10-year plan in the back of my mind wanted me to run in the other direction as fast as possible. I have tried to be in control of every aspect of my life for so long now, that deciding to do WRGY was not an easy choice for me. However, after a lot of prayer, long and hard talks with people who love me, and just time of listening to the Lord, I chose to apply and it has already proven to be one of my best choices ever!
Q: Are you scared?
A: I’ve grown up knowing various people who have been apart of Adventures in Missions in many ways (AIM staff, Gap Year, 11n11) so the idea of traveling the world as a missionary for a year wasn’t a new idea to me, but none of that made it any less terrifying for this controlling enneagram 8. I have new emotions every single day about this, but I also am reminded every single day by a loving father that He has gone before me and prepared this year in better ways than I could ever dream up. Each day I remind myself of all the ways He has been faithful in my life, and if I have seen so much of His goodness already, why do I have any right to doubt Him and be fearful? So short answer, YES… BUT God has been and always will be GOOD!
Q: How do you plan to stay safe considering COVID?
A: Like everything right now, so many things regarding COVID are unknown. As of right now, all of the part of my race in 2021 and 2022 are happening according to plan (boot camp, training camp, launch, and each country). This is definitely something I worry about, especially seeing how the 2020 racers were affected and even meeting a girl that is now on my squad who was supposed to be leaving for the World Race this month and now has another full year before her launch (her story is incredible! Read her blog at jaide.walker.theworldrace.org). I have no idea what next month is going to look like, much less next year so this is a hard question to answer. The only thing I am sure of is that God was good before this pandemic, He is good right now as we are living through the pandemic, and He will be good long after the pandemic is just a distant memory for many. I am simply trying each day to pursue Him and trust that His plans are much better than any of mine!
Q: What are your ministry plans for each country?
A: This is another tricky question! Ministry on the World Race can look different every single day, the only goal is to further the kingdom with our actions that day. But, I will try my best to paint a picture of what my life might look like for the 9 months I am gone. My route, the Activation Route, has a goal of serving local partners as they activate and establish the church in their local communities. We have the honor of coming alongside passionate Christians and help them in whatever ways we can while they work to build relationships with the people around them. In Guatemala, we are expecting a focus on Community Development: playing sports with the local kids, volunteering at children’s ministries, evangelizing in the community, or helping local churches in Antigua with anything they need. In Cambodia, we are expecting a focus on Community Outreach: ministering to local street kids, working with families in the area, and volunteering alongside local ministries in Siem Reap. In Eswatini, we are expecting a focus on Children’s Ministry: volunteering at Carepoints providing healthcare, clean water, food, education, and discipleship for the children and families of Nsoko.
Q:What do you think will be the most challenging aspect?
A:I am beyond excited about every part of the World Race, and especially the challenging parts because that is where the most growth is! One part that I could see being very hard for me personally is moving countries. I get attached very quickly and I think leaving a country will be a very bittersweet time, but I am so excited to learn and grow through that experience!
Q: What country are you most excited for and why?
A: I am excited for each country a TON (like… a TON) but I am most excited for Guatemala for a few reasons. I have been to Guatemala on mission trips twice, and it was the first (& only) times I’ve been out of the country. The people in Guatemala are some of the most generous and kind people I’ve ever met, and I can’t wait to spend 10 weeks there! Another reason I am very excited about Guatemala is because I will get to see a friend of mine (Keri Roeder) who lives in Chichicastenango, Guatemala as a full-time missionary! I am so excited!!!
Thanks for reading, talk to you soon!
His love & mine,
Bree
