The World Race is a program in Adventures in Missions (AIM). AIM was founded in 1989 and has taken over 13,000 people to more than 70 countries on mission trips. AIM has 8 established bases around the world and partners with ministries who serve the local people in each country year-round. It is an interdenominational missions organization that focuses on discipleship, emphasizing prayer and relationships in their work around the world. Their mission statement is: "We awaken the church to radically follow Jesus and advance His Kingdom" 

The Gap Year is a World Race program. It is a 9-month trip for ages 17-20. We will travel to 5 different countries: Guatemala, South Korea, Vietnam, South Africa, and Eswatini. 

Squad sizes vary but are typically no larger than 30-40 racers. A squad will generally travel from country to country together but may split into individual teams for ministry purposes. They may or may not be lodged at the same location in a country. The smaller teams assigned within squads are usually 5-8 racers. There will typically be one squad leader per team who stays on the field with them for the entire Race. Squad leaders are alumni who have been vetted and trained to lead the squad. 

Before going to the countries, there is a training racers will go through held in Georgia where we’ll be equipped with spiritual and missional training. Training will include safety training. The training topics include identity in Christ, hearing God's voice, the power of the Holy Spirit, a history of missions, understanding cultural differences, sharing the gospel, living in Christian community, leadership tools, and finally applying what we've learned. To apply our training before launching internationally, we will work with one of AIM's domestic partners to serve with base teams and some of their ministry partners. 

Discipleship is at the core of what AIM is all about. Each racer is being discipled in their own relationship with the Lord and taught practical tools to live in a healthy community with each other and navigate life on the mission field. Throughout the 9 months of World Race: Gap Year we will meet with our leaders and teammates to rest and refresh as well as process our experiences. 

The main ministry focus areas of those we will serve with overseas are: children's ministry, orphan care, evangelism, teaching English, and improvement projects. Every day on the World Race: Gap Year will look a little different. Some days will be packed full with construction, leading VBS for children, or praying for the sick at a hospital. While other days may be slower, potentially shopping for groceries at the market, cooking for the team, and spending time praying for the community we walk through. Much depends on our ministry partners' needs in each country. Regardless of the pace or the activity, every day will be focused on being a part of God’s Kingdom work. 

At the end of the race, AIM will help us transition home by walking through an extended phase of re-entry with my squad at the end of our gap year experience. We will spend a couple of weeks serving in ministries in the United States to help reduce and navigate culture shock. 

If you have any unanswered questions comment them below, or feel free to explore the World Race website (where my info comes from): https://www.worldrace.org