World Race 3.0!!!

As some of you might know, I have decided to do the World Race AGAIN!

I know, crazy. When I left for the race in January, never in my wildest dreams would I have guessed that this year would have looked the way that it did. A little over 2 months in Asia, 4 months in quarantine, 4 months traveling around in a van with 5 of my best friends sharing the good news with Americans, and now, a new commitment to World Race January 2021. 

For the people that were taken off of the field earlier this year, Adventures in Missions offered the option of using the remaining fundraised money in a variety of ways. With y’all’s generosity, I was able to use some of my remaining funds to do 4 months of World Race America, which has been one of the absolute best, most life-changing experiences of my life. Still, after this incredible experience, I have some remaining money left in my account, so I really started praying about how God wanted me to use those funds. 

Through a series of confirmations, God made it very clear that I was supposed to return to the international mission field. AIM allowed us “redeployers” to decide how long we would stay on the field with our new squads on our new routes. Looking at my funds, I made the most “logical decision” and committed to 6 months with H-Squad, the classic route in January which will be going to Central America, Southeast Asia, South Asia and Southern Africa.

I committed and was along for the ride. I left my current WR America team for a week in October and went to Training Camp again, where I got to meet my incredible squad of 44 people!

and I got placed on a team with 5 incredible pals!

I cannot wait to do life with them!!!

After leaving training camp, though, I could feel that something in my spirit wasn’t right. Had I really prayed about what I was doing? Had I really asked God how long I should be on the field? Had I truly surrendered my plans to Him for this next year?

So I asked Him, “God, am I supposed to do the full year with this new squad?”

“Do you trust me?” He asked. “That is all I really need from you, Annie. Keep the question on your heart and know that your answer is on the way. You will know.”

So I kept the answer on my heart and I moved forward in trust believing that He would make it clear to me. Exactly a week later, He did. 

My team was on a video call with our leadership one Thursday afternoon when one of my coaches, Keith, began to share a vision with me. 

Years ago, God had spoken to him through an experience he had had with his son. They were at the pool and he was in the water, holding out his hands and trying to get his son to jump in from the edge. His son was scared and hesitant, taking a while to make the leap. Keith realized that he could easily get out of the water, walk to his son, grab his hand and gently lead him into the water using the steps. There would be no shame and his son would still get the enjoyment of the pool. But, there was a deeper level of trust, of dependance and growth that came with making the leap. This is exactly how it is with our Heavenly Father. There are places for us to go with Him and there are plans that He has for us. He can easily walk us into them gently, holding our hand and guiding our every step. There would be no shame in that. But there are also times when He calls us to jump. Even when it makes no sense and you can’t really make out where you’re going or how you’re going to get there. There are times where He calls us to jump in, feet first, recklessly abandoned to Him.

While Keith shared this vision, God brought to my mind the question of whether or not I should commit to the full 11 months with my new squad. 

And instantly I heard Him say, “Annie, what would be the bigger jump?”

Immediately, I started crying. 11 months would absolutely be the bigger jump. It would require full dependance on God in all areas; financially, emotionally, spiritually, relationally. It would mean fundraising again. It would mean leaving behind family and friends for twice longer than I ever expected. It would mean another 11 months of being pushed out of my comfort zone and dying to myself daily. 

If I’m being honest, my commitment to only 6 months on the field was my way of controlling my future, making it seem more manageable or doable. I was scared. Scared of the unknown, scared of the inability to control what was coming. I was scared to make the jump.

But with bigger jumps comes bigger trust, bigger faith, bigger dependance. And these things result in deeper intimacy, stronger relationship and openness to receive bigger blessings. How could I say no to that? I hope that, if ever given the opportunity to jump feet first, recklessly abandoned to Him, I always would. Praise God that He is a father that prepares the way for us and is always there to catch us with open arms. He makes it so, so easy to trust Him.

So, in January 2021, I will be embarking on World Race 3.0 for 11 whole months and I couldn’t be more thrilled about it! It feels crazy and exciting and overwhelming and everything in between but I absolutely know that God has big things in store for this next year. I can’t wait to share it all with you!

I want to thank you all for being the best group of supporters a gal could ask for. Your prayers, encouragements, donations and blessings have meant the world to me and it makes me feel so blessed that I get to continue with all of you for another year. If you would like to continue to partner with me financially, you can do that here !

or through my venmo: Annie-Harris-3

Thank you so much, I absolutely couldn’t do it without your support and your prayers!!

If you ever have any questions or prayer requests or if ya just wanna chat please don’t hesitate to reach out! I love you all!

Much love and many blessings,

Annie

210-323-2296

[email protected]