The teenage years bring a lot of questions, but one that pops up more often than others is “What is your plan for after high school?”. I vaguely remember the first time I heard this question, but mostly because I had no answer. I always wanted to have an answer, I just never found something that ‘felt right’ or seemed like ‘my calling’. So freshman year when a close friend mentioned the World Race, I was intrigued. A gap year seemed fun, different, and maybe even like the thing for me. I knew I wanted to help people and love Jesus more, and I knew I didn’t just want college. For freshman year Grace, that seemed like enough. 

Now, halfway through my senior year after praying and researching for 3 years, my reasons for choosing the World Race have expanded, they had to. The first time I mention my plans to someone new, they think I’m crazy. Which is fair, leaving everything I’ve ever known to live out of a backpack for 9 months sounds absurd. After a few times of explaining “why”, I came to realize that my reason was much deeper than what I was sharing with people. Sure, I’m a little lost when it comes to college and adulthood. This gives me time to decide and also gives me more chances to experience the world before choosing my path. But it’s also shown that it will set me up better for the real world, and prepare me for what is to come after the trip. And serves a bigger purpose than myself. 9 months of intentional missions work in the name of the Lord is a gift, and something that not every Christian gets the option to do. Months and months of prayer have led to this journey, a step out in faith simply because I felt called by the Lord. What more reason did I need than to serve Him and grow in my relationship? 

So now we’re here, 9ish months from departing and I am insanely excited for this opportunity. I thank God every day that this is my calling, and that He has blessed me in this way. I’m sure that through Him and through this crazy adventure, not only will my life be changed, but the lives of people all over the world will be as well. And that feels like a good enough reason! :)