Hey guys! For my first blog, I thought it would be fitting to introduce why I’ve chosen to embark on the World Race Gap Year. Firstly, I thank God for providing me with the opportunity to do missions work by placing me in a wonderful church family. I’ve been blessed to have a great youth group atmosphere at my church. In 2017 my first youth pastor, Christin Ortiz (best culinary chef in the 585), encouraged me to travel to Haiti with the youth group, but I was hesitant to leave the country without my parents. Although I forgot the persuasion techniques Christin used on me, she ended up convincing me to travel with the youth group. After experiencing Haiti, I came back to the U.S. with a new spirit that guided me in my relationship with Christ. One vivid memory I have with the Haitian children is I played tag with all the little ones for hours at a local park. These children were full of energy, and I had a hard time keeping up with them, so we immediately grew closer with our laughter in between our heavy breathing. Ever since Haiti, I have felt a deep passion to engage in future missions work. With the World Race, I’m able to follow this passion with a bunch of other young adults who share similar interests with me. Between now and when I leave in September, I plan on writing more updates to inform you guys on how this season of my life is going! Thanks for reading my blog!!!
Josh! I’m so excited for you!!! God has been preparing you for this gap year for years now… He is with you and for you, son! Keep trusting in Him and we will look back to see just how faithful He is once again! So proud of you!
Mom ??
Heck yeah Josh!
Dear Josh,
You will be in our prayers as you arise to serve others with a pure and kind heart! What a great bounty, at this choicest time in your life, to be able to dedicate your time and energy to the betterment of the world. May you receive divine confirmations for all your efforts.
The honour and distinction of the individual consist in this, that he
among all the world’s multitudes should become a source of social good. Is
any larger bounty conceivable than this, that an individual, looking within
himself, should find that by the confirming grace of God he has become the
cause of peace and well-being, of happiness and advantage to his fellow
men? No, by the one true God, there is no greater bliss, no more complete
delight. —‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Hey man! It’s so awesome to see that you’re taking this leap of faith. The race is an incredible and life changing experience. You will see God move in amazing ways inside you and the places you visit. Get excited, because your mind is about to be blown away.
I’m so excited for you. I’ll be praying.
Dear Josh, read your blog, and I’m excited for you and all the God opportunities that await you!! May this be a faith enriching moment, as you watch our amazing God, do more than you can hope or imagine. So proud of you! Love and prayers, Grandma Linda
HI, Josh! A long time ago, I went to college with your Mom. We are excited to hear all that God does through you and in you during the World Race. We know someone who completed one World Race and stayed on in leadership for another. She had a fantastic experience that enriched her life in all areas – especially spiritually. We’ll be praying for you!
Hey, Josh! I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors! I have no doubt that this experience will help you develop further both spiritually and in many other ways. I will miss you very much, but I’m so excited for you and your bright future! I’m looking forward to seeing future blogs from you. I’ll be praying for you.