Many people are asking where I am taking off to in July.  Well, I am going to be living in 11 different countries in 11 months.  The following is a breif description of each place I will be travelling to.

India

With nearly a sixth of the world's population within its borders, India is a country bursting with people and culture. Home to a diverse array of beliefs from Hinduism to Islam, to a blend of folk religions and other faiths, it is a country of pluralism with twenty-nine languages spoken by over a million native speakers, multiple religions, cuisine, socio-economic classes, and political parties. India's struggles with poverty and crimes of human trafficking, forced prostitution, religious persecution, and more. You might work with local churches to encourage believers and most likely be challenged by their testimonies. Your presence'll bring hope and truth to those that society deems "untouchable."

Nepal

Home to Mount Everest, the world's tallest mountain, Nepal literally sits on top of the world. In addition to adventurous experiences you will have here, you may also visit widows and orphans in their times of distress and protect the innocent who are prey to human traffickers. This month of your World Race experience will submerge you in a culture that is desperate for an encounter with the living God.

Thailand

According to the CIA, the kingdom of Thailand, known as Siam until 1939, is the only country in the region not colonized by Europe. Their 2000 census showed that 94.6% of the population is Buddhist, 4.6% are Muslim, and 0.7% are Christian. Approximately 600,000 people live with HIV/AIDS in Thailand. With nearly two million people estimated to be forced into prostitution, it has become one of the most popular places for sex tourism. Change lives in the city-where you, like Jesus, might befriend prostitutes-or in the countryside-where you may serve youth, care for orphans, and encourage a remnant of believers.

Challenge: Asia

Blaze a trail for your team and future World Racers. This will be the opportunity for you to continue flexing your faith muscles as you depend on a few words of advice from the staff and mostly God's guidance. With God, all things are possible and the possibilities are endless.

Cambodia

Cambodia houses one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Angkor Wat, a Hindu temple and monastery built during the Khmer empire in the 12th century. It later became a Buddhist complex a century later, and today, just over 96% of Cambodia is Buddhist. Almost 30 years ago, 1.5 million Cambodians died at the hands of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge regime. Today, Cambodia is a source, transit point, and destination of human trafficking. Unfortunately, the government is struggling to stop it. The people of Cambodia are thirsty for the hope you can bring.

Vietnam

After nearly a century of French rule, in the mid-20th century, Vietnam was split into communist (north) and non-communist (south) halves. By 1975, Vietnam was made whole again, but as a communist country. Even with the economic reforms and restoration of diplomatic ties human rights are limited in Vietnam, especially freedom of religion; most of Vietnam is Buddhist, less than 10% is Catholic. Here you'll be fed with pho, delicious beef noodle soup, and in turn feed believers and pray God's light and presence everywhere you go.

Rwanda

Many who hear "Rwanda" immediately think, "genocide" - it was 16 years ago when 800,000 people were killed over the course of about three months. According to the U.S. State Department, Rwanda (once colonized by France) has the highest population density in sub-Saharan Africa; and like much of sub-Saharan Africa, this nation also is fighting hard against HIV/AIDS. This nation played a part of the genesis of this human rights organization and inspired this song; as you help bring healing to a country still recovering from this deep wound, God may birth a dream or vision in you...

Uganda

Once a kingdom and British protectorate, for most of the later half of the 20th century, Uganda was under military rule, first under Idi Amin, the subject of the film The Last King of Scotland. Much of northern Uganda was also troubled by the Lord's Resistance Army, which heavily recruited child soldiers. Referred to as the Pearl of Africa, Uganda is diverse in topography and wildlife. You may find yourself in the north partnering with ministries that are bringing still-needed healing and reconciliation or in the south working with churches to evangelize and disciple the next generation of Kingdom workers.

Kenya

Who hasn't heard of Kenya in their lifetime? The Kenyan people are colorful, musical, artistic and hungry for the love of Christ. The Maasai bush, the Nairobi metropolis, and the Kibera slums comprise a country diverse yet unified in history. As a new era dawns in Kenya, so does the gospel of truth and faith. By meeting felt needs in the bush and the city, participants help bear lasting fruit with current ministry partnerships (ministries like evangelism, orphan care, and community development), and build foundations of future partnerships.

Latvia

Sandwiched between Estonia to the north and Lithuania to the south, Latvia is home to the largest medieval church in Europe (built in the 13th century). Like Estonia, Latvia is another gem as far as tourism in Europe goes but per Lonely Planet, still rather hidden from the spotlight. Unemployment rate here was at 22% in 2010 but is improving. Sadly, Latvia's been ranked with lowest ranked healthcare systems in the EU and second lowest life expectancy. Over 22% of the population identifies itself as Roman Catholic, while over 19% claim to be Evangelical Lutheran; however, only 7% of the population actually attend religious services. As the country recovers economically, you could be an agent of spiritual revival and show the people what they've been missing out on.

Estonia/Lithuania

Lonely Planet touts Estonia as having been Europe's best kept secret, with its lush forests, beautiful coastline, quaint country-sides & charming cities. Did you know nearly half of Skype's offices are in Estonia? Usher in a spirit of freedom as you carry God's presence into this beautiful country. Lithuania, once one of the fastest growing economies in the European Union (EU) prior to the recent global financial crisis, nearly 14% of Lithuania is unemployed, and less than 2% of the population live beneath the poverty line. With the highest suicide rate in the world and the highest homicide rate in the EU, this nation needs you revive the people back to life with the love of Christ.

$15,500 - That is a lot of money.  Many people interested in supporting me financially wonder where all this money I am fundraising is going to go.  The diagram below breaks down my budget to make things a little more clear.
 

The 65% of these funds supporting me are broken down into the following:

$4,235 for my intercontinental travel for the year

$460 per month broken down as:

- $3.75 per day for food
- $5.25 per day for lodging
- $3.00 per day for transport
- $3.33 per day for long distance travel (buses, trains) and miscellaneous supplies

If you are interested in supporting me please click the SUPPORT ME tab to the left...Every dollar is appreciated

Until I was about 17 I  grew up attending a Catholic church, going through all of the motions, singing in the choir, partaking in the Easter play, altar serving and even teaching Sunday school.  The funny thing is that although I was considered to most to be a Christian, I was not serving Christ.  I did not know much about the Gospel, I went to church for the wrong reasons and never paid much attention to many sermons.  At the age of 17 I attended a weekend long retreat where everything changed.  I never cried so much in my entire life.  It was if each tear that I shed was releasing sins, burdens, pain and suffering in which I was never able to let go of and move on from.  I felt as if I was a new person after that weekend.  God had spoken to me that weekend telling me that this was my second chance, and that I am here for a reason and that reason is to serve Him and teach others of His greatness.  That weekend I made a new friend, a best friend, Jesus Christ; He became prominent in my life and has ever since been with me though many trials and tribulations as well as triumphs and  celebrations.  I do not only turn to Him when things aren’t going good, I also praise Him for who He is and what He has done.  

Although I had been saved, for a while I found things extremely tough due to the lack of Christian community in my life.  A few years ago I was introduced to a Pastor through a friend at an ecumenical “Prayer of Hope” event.  about a year after being introduced to him I approached him regarding a missions trip he was organizing.  It was something that I had always wanted to do and I happened to have money saved in the bank in which I did not know what I was going to do with it. Within a very short period I was 

signed up, paid for and on my way to the Dominican Republic with a group of people to begin my first missions experience.  I continued going on the same trip for two years after my initial trip to the DR and developed a heart for the place, its people and for missions in general.

I have been praying for the last year for God to help me to draw closer to Him.  It has been a struggle to discern his plan for me.  I will be graduating University this coming spring where I have been having a hard time due to the fact that my parents want the best for me which to them would be for me to enter a Masters program.  I would be glad to enter a program, if I knew exactly what it is that I want to do for the rest of my life.  But, it doesn’t seem to be that simple.  When I discovered the World Race I felt deep down that it was my calling to disciple to the nations in the name of Jesus Christ, but did not think it was realistic.  I was scared to death to mention even the thought of considering the World Race to my parents.  It was not an easy decision to make, there was a lot of questioning my discernment, and MUCH prayer.  I am proud to say that I have now secured my spot on the July, 2012 route of the World Race.

I am so willing to drop everything to serve the Lord, whatever this year might entail I know that it is what God has planned for me and I know that it will not be an experience I will ever regret.  Please keep me in your prayers.

As of right now, my next step is to fundraise, fundraise, fundraise.  Please help in supporting me both in prayer as well as financially.

God Bless