Why the World Race?

At the end of my junior year, I knew college was the plan for the fall after graduation. I wasn’t sure where, and I wasn’t sure what I was going to major in. However, it was always what I was going to do after high school. I didn’t consider any other options as being reasonable or a good use of my time. Sure, I had heard of gap years and even seen my older sisters take them, but that wasn’t for me…right?

Man, was I wrong.

September of 2021 got me thinking…maybe I don’t need to go to college immediately after high school. Is there anywhere I am wanting to go? What career path am I going to take? Will I be behind if I start college a year later than my friends? Am I missing out by not going to college right out of high school? Do I need to rush right into more school? Could a gap year be for me? The deciding question was: Is God calling me to this gap year next year?

I talked to my oldest sister, Mary Grace, and a friend, Mady, who had both done the World Race Gap Year in 2018. The more I talked to them about it, read blog posts, watched videos from previous trips, and prayed about it, the more called I felt to apply. I was excited but didn’t want to get my hopes up. I told myself if I didn’t get in then it wasn’t what God had planned for me next year.

Then, I got a call. I was accepted!! I was overwhelmed by emotions. I texted my sister, told my friends and family, and thanked God for presenting the opportunity to live out the Great Commission by making disciples in His name. 

I am beyond excited to spend 9 months in Guatemala, Romania, Eswatini, and South Africa. I am thrilled to be able show the love of God to the poor and broken and to live selflessly in His name. Not to mention, the joy of being able to do it with others who have the same goals and values as I do is filling my heart with an incredible excitement and love for the Lord.

However, there is still anxiety inside me for what I am committing to. Being in new environments, being gone for holidays, and not seeing my siblings for 9 months are all things I know will be difficult. Yet, this trip is what God has called me to. Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Keeping these verses in my heart have helped to extinguish my worries and strengthen my appreciation for God’s greatness and sovereignty. I know the people I meet and what I experience is going to change me into a better servant for Christ.

In the upcoming months, I will keep you updated through blog posts and eventually through photos and videos. Thank you so much for reading my blog, and I ask that you continue to pray for me as I prepare for this trip, and to donate to my fundraising, because that is a huge part of my preparation. Thanks again for reading!! 🙂

Arianna Curran