THE JOURNEY:

I am so excited that the Lord has given me the opportunity to go on the World Race Gap Year this upcoming September! I have always had a heart for ministry and reaching the lost people of the world. Since my Junior year of High School, the Race always sounded like such a great opportunity, but I didn't see it as something that was possible for me. One of my best friends, Anjali, decided to go on it after she graduated and told me so much about it, really putting the desire in my heart to take that step in my faith as well. 

I am currently a freshman at my local Community College in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, but the Lord made it possible for me to take a gap year with how the course of my schooling is going. When I come back home, I plan to complete my associates degree in sonography to become an ultrasound technologist and use my profession in underprivileged areas around the world.  I thought the World Race would be the perfect opportunity in between! Plus, love is definitely not a word I would use to describe my feelings towards school... But to take a year to serve the Lord, make new friends, travel, and most importantly, grow in my relationship with Christ? Yes, yes, yes! As of right now, I, along with my squadmates, will be going to Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, Eswatini, and South Africa to serve the people there in whatever ways possible this upcoming September through May 2023.

The process of obeying the Lord throughout this decision has definitely taken some time. I fear being uncomfortable. I fear leaving the people that I love. I fear things being different when I come home. I fear raising $15,000. But the Lord has reminded me time and time again that this is a journey of trust, and that he will equip me for whatever happens. When I think about what I am most excited for about the Race, it is the fact that I get to step into something completely new and fresh while watching the Lord work in and through me. But you know what's crazy? This is also what I am most afraid of. Leaving my life that I have grown so accustomed to is an overwhelming thought, but I have been learning that the same God who was with the Israelites in the wilderness is the same God who goes before me now and always.

"'Do not be terrified, or afraid of them. The Lord your God, who goes before you, He will fight for you, according to all He did for you in Egypt before your eyes" - Deuteronomy 1:29-30

I know that the Lord will be with me and my team every step of the way, it is just a matter of my own willingness to see Him work. I would love if you would walk with me through this journey as well! Keep coming back here for updates, pray about fundraising towards the Lord's work, and let me know how I can pray for you! You can click that orange rectangle at the top of my blog to donate, or you can leave me a comment if you want to hear more about what you are contributing to!

Thank you for taking the time to read this! And thank you in advance to anyone who feels led to contribute to my funds! You seriously don't understand how much this all means to me. :)

"The Lord your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you surely rejoice" - Deuteronomy 16:15

Love and gratitude,

Ryann