I discovered the World Race Gap Year program in June of 2021, and immediately upon seeing it I thought it was the coolest thing! But at the time I wasn't really sure if it was for me- I mean, leaving everyone and everything you've ever known behind for 9 months is a big commitment and can be very scary. I've known I've had a calling to missions and ministry for a few years now, but I had never been exactly sure about my next steps after high school. I started praying that summer that God would reveal His plan to me about where He wanted me to go.

I started looking into many other programs and colleges where I could study missions/ministry and get involved, but God kept drawing me back to World Race. So, in August of 2021, I started praying about World Race specifically, asking God, "If this is where you want me to go, lead the way." 

There were many other cool opportunities and programs that I had looked at, but none of them felt as right for me as World Race did. I began asking a few trusted friends and spiritual mentors in my life to pray with me about this decision, and after a year of prayer, I realized that this was without a doubt, where God was calling me to go!

Since my application, literally, every single mountain that has been in the way to hinder me from this program has been effortlessly moved by God! He has had His hand all over this, from the moment I heard about it, and even now as I begin to prepare for my 9 months on World Race Gap Year!

The short answer to "Why the World Race?" would simply be: it's where God has called me. He orchestrated the entire thing, and He is making the way for it to become possible!

Thank you for joining me in this adventure!

     Your friend, Grace Parker