why the World Race

Isaiah 6:8 ” Here I am, send me.”

If you didn’t already know, next year I won’t be going to college, just yet ! 😉 Instead, I will be taking a gap year through The World Race. 

What is World Race?

This program is a nine month mission trip that takes you to three different countries around the world while living out of a backpack. Yes you heard that right! I will be loving and serving God’s people throughout these months in places unimaginable. Ministries include: serving in orphanages, planting churches, ministering to women who have been involved with human trafficking, and teaching English. (not to mention MUCH more) 

How did you find out about the race?

In 2014, I went on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic. It was the first time I was truly exposed to missions. We went to orphanages, worked VBS, visited schools, and went on prayer walks while witnessing extreme poverty and sickness. Quite the culture shock for the average 12-year-old coming from the USA. At the beginning of the trip I was resilient to this new idea of missions, but by the end I never wanted to leave. There was something special about being able to reach out and connect with these people I have never met before. Also on this trip, I learned what a Gap Year was. When I first heard what this was, I remember telling myself over and over, that this is what I was going to do upon graduating high school. However, as high school neared, and I became a student, the idea left my mind. I was settled with the fact that I was going to go to college like everyone else, and have a good time with my friends. 

Fast forward to Junior year in high school when all of my closest friends are talking about what they were going to do with their lives after high school. It overwhelmed me. As time went on I had a feeling that going to college right away was not what I was being called to do. The idea of a Gap Year crept back into my mind and sat there for awhile. 

December of my Junior year, I was given the opportunity of going on a mission trip with my close friend and her mom. It was very short notice and I was so sad that I was unable to go, however this ‘thing’ brought my love for missions back. I was so upset that I could not go on that trip that I became determined to go on another mission trip before I graduated. I talked with my dad and we ended up planning one with his close friend (who is a missionary) to Costa Rica in February 2020, which made me think about a gap year even more !! 

With all of these feelings in my mind about a Gap Year, I decided to start doing research at the beginning of the summer. I knew about one program for a while, and decided to send in an application. When I was searching for their website, I was surprised to see that theirs was not at the top of my browser, but the World Race was. I clicked on it, and fell in love instantly. I looked at their page/Instagram for a good three hours straight ( no joke ), and after many days and hours of researching, watching YouTube, viewing Instagram’s, talking with my parents, and many days of prayer, I decided to apply. 

okayy finally to the important question… WHY?

• I want to grow in my relationship with Jesus, it has been a struggle for me in the past but I want time where I can fully commit myself to him, so that no matter where I go my “home” will be found in him. I want to grow, and mature in Christ. 
• I want to figure out my future and not take the ‘traditional route’ that society pressures us into believing we need to take and use my gifts and talents for the work and mission of Christ. 
• I want people to know who Jesus is, so that they can experience how great life is with him.
• I want to surround myself with people who are going to push, support, and encourage me to love God as I should, and to be the best version of myself. I want to do the thing I love with people who also have the same passion as I do. 

Thank you for reading this blog post !! If you made it to the end I give you a huge props, but I promise not every blog will be this long. Don’t forget to subscribe so you can be notified when more blogs come out :))

How can you help?: 

• Pray for me and Encourage me: It is not going to be an easy road ahead, but it will be worth it. That being said, I need you guys !
• Share: share my journey, blog and story with others !
  
• Donate: You can donate by using the link at the top or by venmoing me @morgan-applegate-10. The money covers my transportation, food, and housing 🙂 Any amount will help me reach my goal ! 
  
  

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