11 countries in 11 months. Yes I know – kind of insane. But also crazy cool.
I heard about the World Race for the first time while in Honduras in 2014. Even though I love to travel, I honestly never thought I would be a participant, aka a racer. I’ve always had a heart for missions and longed to serve as a long-term missionary – but later in life, maybe after graduate school, probably in a medical capacity. I never thought I’d be backpacking for 11 months to countries I’d only dreamed of visiting before getting my degree and without having any “qualifications.”
After two application cycle for a Masters degree in Genetic Counseling, and two rejections in the same field I was frustrated and angry. Tired of spending my time in limbo where I don’t have a real job or career, but I’m also not a student. And so, partially out of frustration I applied to the World Race, a trip I didn’t really see in my future because I mean a whole year out of the country, what about application cycles? Surely now wasn’t the time. But, God. His timing is better than mine (a lesson I am learning and re-learning… and re-learning). And so after quickly sending off my application I was promptly accepted.
And so in October I launch with my squad to set off on this crazy adventure. 11 countries in 11 months. First stop Peru. It’s a leap of faith. I’m wildly unprepared in the most practical of ways. I need gear, hiking backpack, a tent, a bedroll, shoes that are not flip flops (all things you definitely don’t need or even learn about when you live at the beach).
And I need financial support. Like all mission trips fundraising is an expected part. It’s just that this trip lasts 11 months and as such costs far more. But, God. I am confident this is where I’m meant to be and so I am confident that He will provide.
Thank you for reading, and I hope you will follow along on this wild wonderful adventure called The World Race (or as my father loves to call it, The Journey to the Center of the Earth).
– Kayla
Wow, as I read this on Sept 8, God has already provided over $16,000! It’s obvious it was His plan for you to do the WR with THIS group of people to THESE countries and THIS time. The things you’d learn along the way will grow your faith, challenge you, and open your eyes to some of the most amazing and most heartbreaking things in the world. You will heal from some wounds, laugh, grow super close to one another…and super sick of one another at times. It’s going to be the best rollercoaster ride you ever took!