Hi everyone!!
My name is Ella Campbell, and I am beyond excited to go on the World Race Gap Year. When people ask me why i want to go on a gap year, its hard for me to explain without talking for hours, i mean, there are so many reasons that this is the decision i have made. I love travel, i’m passionate about serving people, and new cultures are exciting to me! But these reasons alone could not convince me to leave the home, friends, and family that i love for 9 months. The true, main reason that i’m going on a gap year is summarized in three words… because Jesus said. Matthew 28:19-20 reads, “Therefore go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands i have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” While i am aware that you don’t have to go beyond your hometown to “make disciples,” I am so excited to obey this commandment in a very literal way in Thailand, Cambodia, South Africa, and Guatemala. Over the past couple years, I’ve felt God point me to a gap year focused on missions. Although I’ve had my doubts and fears, God’s love and direction has far outweighed any hesitation I’ve had about going overseas to serve him. I know this won’t be easy, but through the truths i know in His Word, God has shown me that although I may go through times of physical, mental, and spiritual exhaustion, He will be my ultimate strength (Psalm 121:1-2, Nehemiah 8:10, Isaiah 41:10). I also know that although i will be homesick and go through times of deeply missing my family and friends, God will provide me with encouraging and uplifting community through my team, squad, and fellow believers in the countries i will visit (1 John 1:7, Galatians 6:2, Hebrews 10:24-25). He will not abandon me (John 14:18) Going on this gap year, i am leaving behind my comforts, closest friends, and loving family, but I know that I will not be alone… BECAUSE that’s what JESUS SAID.
“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me- the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”
– Acts 20:24
