I was introduced to the The World Race my junior year through Instagram, and haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. It was perfect for me. The adventure of traveling the world, preaching the Gospel and helping people, is something my heart has craved my whole life. However, when senior year started, I just put The World Race in my back pocket and started applying for colleges because The World Race didn’t seem like a very reliable option. As senior year went on, I was applying to so many different colleges, but God started tugging on my heart. I felt this whisper in my heart that I was made for more, that I wasn’t supposed to go straight to college. I knew what God was doing. I knew He was pulling me towards The World Race again. I knew because it’s the only thing that has made sense for me (future wise). I began to think about The World Race and do more research and I began to feel God pulling me more and more. It was a terrifying thing, leaving family and best friends for nine months. Out of fear, I began to run away from God and The World Race.
Like Jonah, I began to run away from God and The World Race. It was completely crazy, the thought of leaving family and friends for nine months, with no clue how much I would get to talk to them. I told God “Lord, this can’t be true. You know, The World Race has shorter trips. I’ll just do one of those! yeah! Then I’ll be able to make my closest friend’s graduation the next year. That sounds perfect!” Except, it wasn’t perfect. God wasn’t calling me to do a shorter trip. He was calling me to Gap Year. The feeling of going against God’s will for me was overwhelming.
I finally surrendered to God and The World Race Gap Year a few weeks ago in my car. I remember it so clearly, I had just dropped my brother off for school (Such a sweet sister I know :)) and I was on my way home. My favorite song was on and I had my windows down, just having a nice chat with Jesus. In that moment, I found myself praying for my future. I told God “Lord, I know I am made for something more than this. I have been running for so long and I just can’t do it anymore. Wherever you want me to go, I will go. No matter the cost.” And the Lord has worked in crazy amazing ways since then! Let me just tell y’all.
Two Sundays ago, I found myself sitting in front of my computer getting ready to apply, praying about the huge step in faith I was about to take. When I was applying, I got all the way done with the questions and all I had left to do was schedule my interview, but I freaked out. I was like “God, what am I doing? Is this really what you want from me? How could you use me for something so big. I don’t have the courage to leave the people I love.” And so I took the rest of the day off and went to praise band practice and had a good cry haha. I prayed the rest of the day, that God would give me the courage to finish the application, if it was His will. The next day, after school, I went home and finished that application and scheduled my interview.
My interview was the next week and it went great! Usually, you would have your interview, and then a few days later they would call you to let you know if you got in. But at the end of my interview, I asked the lady how long it would be until I got “the call”, and she said “Well, that was your last question, and I would like to say that I would LOVE to accept you for World Race Gap Year!” My literal reaction was “WHAT YOU’RE KIDDING YOU HAVE TO BE” and she was all like “Nope! you’re in!” I was so ecstatic and I still am! Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that this would be real!
So here I am, ten months away from going on the biggest adventure of my life (so far)! In September of 2019, I will leave for a nine month long mission trip which goes through South Africa, Ecuador, and Cambodia! I could literally not be more excited. It is honestly a dream come true. My family and friends have all been so supportive of me and my calling. I can honestly say that I never been more sure of my future and certain that God is going to work in miraculous ways! BUT, I need help getting there!
How can you help, you might ask?
1. Prayer! One thing that I have learned throughout this experience already, is that prayer is so powerful. So please, commit to pray for me as I prepare for this new season and please continue to pray for me as I am on the field!
2. Give. I have a solid ten months to raise $16,600. This covers my travel expenses, room and board, necessary insurance, etc. That amount of funding seems almost impossible, but I am confident in what God has called me to do and I know that He is going to provide.
3. Share! Please share this! Sharing this post, my story, and my journey with others will not only help me fulfill God’s plan for me, but it may help others gather up the courage and step out in faith towards God’s calling for their lives!
Thank you all so much already. I cannot explain the feeling of being completely and wholeheartedly in God’s will. I feel the most peace I have ever felt in my walk with Christ. I know that Christ himself is sending me to spread the good news and love on those in South Africa, Ecuador, and Cambodia! So, thank you so much for your love and support!
So much love,
Anna Wilkerson
