The World What? Why?

Hello Friend!

Yay!! I am finally getting to tell you, my dear reader, what The World Race is and why in the heck I am going on this crazy adventure with the Lord. The World Race (WR) is an eleven month missions trip to eleven different countries. Yes, ELEVEN months and countries. The WR is one of the programs through Adventures in Missions that has been sending hundreds of missionaries across the globe every year since 1989. Most of you know I have been on other mission trips to Nicaragua and India, which these missional trips were also through Adventures.

It’s crazy to think that I only met the Lord just a little over fours years ago. My life, my heart, and my soul, have been radically changed by the relentless love of Jesus. I’ve been blessed to watch countless people have the same, yet entirely different radical experience. Jesus truly is the truth, the way, and the life. Since I was 16 the Lord has given me a heartbeat for missions. I first came to this realization when I stumbled across the WR fours years ago. Reflecting on that moment now, I remember how my heart began to beat fast as I read the words describing the ministry life of a missionary. I remembered becoming overwhelmed with the presence of God and ready to respond to His heart. At the time I was not old enough to do the WR, but my heart just kept breaking for the world around me. Breaking for what breaks His heart. I couldn’t wait any longer, I had to start fulfilling the call on this part of my life. That is how I ended up in Nicaragua for three months. (:

I have been asked before why do I go over seas when America desperately needs the Love of Jesus too? Maybe even you are wondering the same thing. Yes, America needs Jesus too. The entire world does. I am always a missionary. Whether I’m in Keokuk, Walmart, work, home, or sitting in Denny’s with my friends, wherever I am Jesus is in me and off we go. You do not have to go over seas to be a “missionary” but we are all called to The Great Commission. I always say I’m either on Home Field or The Field. Home is America and The Field is the countries Jesus sends me too. I am always on the missions field! I go over seas because my heart equally breaks for other countries, just as much as America. There are times where Jesus needs me at home and other times He sends me to the nations. It is not by luck, chance, random, or a coincidence, just part of His divine plan for me and His people. As of right now the Lord is fulfilling a God given dream in my life. The Lord put the WR on my heart when I was 16. Over the years I have forgotten about it, daydreamed about it, even wondered if I would get to go, and now the time has come! I REALLY DO GET TO GO!

 

On The World Race, ministry will always look different. It might be building, cleaning, playing with children, preaching, praying, drawing, visiting villages and churches, teaching, and ultimately serving. I’ll get to live with my teammates, be challenged in every possible way, and grow closer to my sweet Jesus. To share a small of glimpse of some of the things we will encounter next year, I am reminded of a time when I was in India. My India team and I went on a prayer walk before church. After visiting this little church, which consisted of a concrete slab outside, with one microphone and keyboard, they asked if a few of us would go pray with a family who wanted to start a house church. The house was neighboring to the church so we walked over and laid hands on the family in a tiny room. My hand fell on a old woman who looked at me with a painful expression pointing to her side. With many of us in this little room it was loud, but suddenly disconnected from the noise I felt the Lord say he had compassion on this woman. When we finished praying the woman looked at me wide eyed and with frantic excitement. She was healed. She grabbed my hands, clung to me, and did not want to let go. Jesus is SO cool. The Lord has AMAZING plans for the nations and my WR team and I next year. Let me tell you… I AM SO PUMPED. Ahhhh! The Gospel is SPREADING!

I hope you are as excited as I am about this upcoming journey! Just by reading my blog you have already become part of my support team! Thank you! I need you! Please be praying for my team and I, this journey has already started with preparing our hearts, fundraising, and all the other little things! If  you feel lead at all to donate to my WR, please message me and I will tell you how. Thank you again for reading my first blog. This is where I will keep you updated and share my stories on the field with you! You can also subscribe to my blog! This is truly an excitement. 

Much love,

Maia