it has been an extremely challenging two years, as i have realized that i am not in control of my life. everything i wanted to happen, didn't and everything i didn't want to happen, seemed to find its way in my life.
overall, i haven't been truly happy and it's 100% my fault. i can't blame God for not giving me exactly what i want because i am selfish. it's not what is best for me. so, here i am... humbling myself, which it is way harder than it should be and way more rewarding than expected. His perfect timing is impeccable and He sends encouragement in the weirdest ways.
i have been tossing around the idea of doing a year-long mission trip while i wait for dental school or whatever else i decide to do. it has been on the back of my mind for quite some time, but it has been creeping in my heart more recently. i have been reminded how short life is. and i began to think. why am i sitting around wasting it? and what am i going to do with my precious time while on earth? i wanted to do something meaningful and adventurous. i began researching different year-long trips, but didn't find anything that stuck out. my dad threw out the idea of the world race (wr) by adventures in missions (aim). as i researched more, the more i liked it.
i ended up applying in august and met with my new favorite person, hannah schwab, an wr alum, in east des moines for dinner. even though i only spent an evening with her, i really saw the Lord working in me as she shared her heart. after that night, i was in.
though i do love adventure, it's so much more than that. i will be surrounded by thirty-ish people who have the same passion as me and are also willing to give up eleven months to serve the Lord. it's about community. it's about lifelong friendships. it's about God. it's about the kingdom.
what is the world race? it is an eleventh month mission trip in thirteen countries through adventures in missions (aim). i will be living out of a backpack. each country will be different in regards to sleeping arrangements. sometimes it will be in tents, some places will be in host homes, and others in hostels.
why am i doing this? i want to see a change. i want to be the change. God enables believers to shine a light in the darkness. after a few come to Jesus moments, i was reminded that my life is not about me. becoming a dentist or whatever the Lord wants me to be can wait another year. people needing Jesus can't.
who am i going with? i am not sure! my team, which is called a squad, will consist of about thirty men and women throughout north america. the first time we will meet will be during training camp this summer.
which countries will i be going to? all of south america. this includes: colombia, venezuela, guyana, suriname, french guiana, brazil, ecuador, peru, bolivia, chile, argentina, paraguay, & uruguay.
the map below shows the route that i will be taking. *subject to change
what will i be doing? the short answer is i am not sure. there are specific contacts in each country. we will help them in whatever they need. flexibility is key and expectations will be set when we arrive in each country. to give you an idea of what we could be doing. the world racers that travel to haiti stay at mission of hope and work alongside them for the month. in the past, a squad did construction at a camp. walked around the city and prayed for the people. and so many other endless opportunities.
even though i have several months before i leave. there is a lot to do before i can go. it is difficult planning eleven months of your life in a backpack. figuring out medications and the things that are "basic necessities" in america, like clean water, toiletries, laundry, or a shower, are not going to be in abundant access. also, this route is a little more extreme than the past wr routes so communicating back to america might not happen as frequently as i (and my family) would like. we will be pioneering the entire amazon river by boat. ministering to the remote, yet beautiful patagonia. and so much more. there will also be time to do a little exploring of God's creation. i will have the opportunity to hike machu picchu, see the salt flats in bolivia, go to the southernmost city in the world, along with exploring iguazu falls in brazil.
when do i start? training camp is june 8-18, 2016 in georgia. i will be departing august 2016.
how can you help? lots and lots of prayer. pray that i am mentally and emotionally prepared to spend eleven months in unknown territory. pray that i mesh well with my team and we will be able to love on people from all different backgrounds and cultures. pray that i have a heart for the people i interact with and that they will be able to see Jesus through me. pray also for the language barrier that we will be able to learn spanish (for the most part) and communicate well with the people that we meet. i also need financial support. i need to raise $17,361. yes. that is a large number. i am completely aware. it includes transportation, shelter (hostels, host homes, etc.), and food. your money will give people in south america a chance to experience God's love. there may be some remote places that we travel to that have never heard of Jesus and what He has done for them. i will be sending out support letters in the next few weeks. trust me, it is the last thing i want to do is ask for money, but i have come to terms that it is part of the process. it will help enable me to go spread the gospel and it will give you a chance to participate by supporting me.
if you would like more information about my trip, visit world race expedition or you can email me at sarah.j.cork@gmail.com. i would love to talk to you more about it! you can follow me throughout the next year on my wr blog - sarahcork.theworldrace.org. there is a link that allows you to donate to my race on this blog.
i know i am only twenty-two but life is so short. i don't want to regret my twenties. i don't want to regret running from unpredictable events. i don't want to regret not doing something because it would be inconvenient. while i am young and able, i don't want to miss an opportunity to serve the kingdom. i am excited to see what the Lord has in store and ecstatic to be amazed at how it all plays out - on His timeline.
life is a journey. make it an adventure.
i know i am only twenty-two but life is so short. i don't want to regret my twenties. i don't want to regret running from unpredictable events. i don't want to regret not doing something because it would be inconvenient. while i am young and able, i don't want to miss an opportunity to serve the kingdom. i am excited to see what the Lord has in store and ecstatic to be amazed at how it all plays out - on His timeline.
life is a journey. make it an adventure.
live, love and lead <3
Adventures In Missions is a tax-exempt organization under IRS code 501(c)(3) and is a member of the ECFA. (Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability). Due to IRS and ECFA regulations governing the administration of tax deductible donations given in support of a particular trip/program, support contributions given on behalf of an individual will be used to offset the costs of the trip/program you are involved in. All contributions are non-refundable regardless of the participant’s success in completing the program.
Adventures In Missions is a tax-exempt organization under IRS code 501(c)(3) and is a member of the ECFA. (Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability). Due to IRS and ECFA regulations governing the administration of tax deductible donations given in support of a particular trip/program, support contributions given on behalf of an individual will be used to offset the costs of the trip/program you are involved in. All contributions are non-refundable regardless of the participant’s success in completing the program.
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