Empty Hands, Full Heart: Finding Abundance in Simplicity

Insights from living with less and discovering the richness of simplicity in community and faith.

We live in a world that celebrates more – more stuff, more success, more hustle. But what if the life you’ve always wanted is actually waiting on the other side of less?

When you step into a season of global missions with the World Race: Gap Year, you trade your overstuffed closet for a backpack, your jam-packed calendar for wide open space, and your striving for a slower, more sacred rhythm of living.

And what you find? It’s abundance. Not the kind you can hold in your hands – but the kind that fills your soul.

When You Live With Less, You See More

Let’s be real: packing for nine months of international travel in one bag is no small feat. You start questioning every item.

Do I really need five t-shirts? Can I live without a second pair of sneakers? Will this shampoo last through three continents?

But here’s what Racers learn quickly:
It’s not about what you leave behind – it’s about what you make space for.

• Like mornings spent in quiet prayer.
• Evenings full of laughter with teammates around a shared meal.
• Friendships built without distraction.
• A deeper dependence on God.

Suddenly, “less” becomes a gift. Simplicity becomes sacred.

Community: The Real Treasure of the Race

You think you’re going for the adventure. You think you’re going to serve. And you do. But the real treasure?

The people you do it with.

There’s something powerful about living in close community – sharing a bathroom with six people, navigating cultural shock together, praying for each other when homesickness hits. These aren’t surface-level friendships. These are lifelong bonds formed in the trenches and the triumphs.

In the absence of “extras,” you’re left with the essentials: God, people, and purpose. And honestly? That’s everything.

Jesus Had Empty Hands, Too

No home. No travel bag. No backup plan.

Jesus lived simply, yet He carried fullness everywhere He went. On the World Race, you begin to see how much your soul actually craves that kind of life. Not one built on stuff or status – but one marked by surrender, connection, and Kingdom purpose.

You begin to ask different questions:

• What do I really need to live well? 
• Who has God placed in front of me to love? 
• What might I hear from Him when the noise fades away? 

And that’s when it happens – your empty hands start to overflow.

Want to Experience This for Yourself?

Ready to stop collecting things and start collecting moments, stories, and God-ordained encounters?

Check out these upcoming World Race: Gap Year routes launching August 2025:

Now Open: August 2025 Launches

Route 1: Colombia, Vietnam, Philippines, and South Africa
For ages 18–20
A stunning mix of Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Southern Africa—this route offers a diverse cultural experience and opportunities to share God’s love across continents.

Route 2: Ethiopia, Thailand, Cambodia, and Guatemala
For ages 17–20
This route invites you to partner with local ministries in regions rich with spiritual hunger and cultural beauty. Expect deep growth and unforgettable connection.

Route 3: Eswatini, Malaysia, Guatemala, and Nicaragua
For ages 18–20
You’ll work alongside children’s ministries, churches, and outreach centers in countries filled with resilience, hope, and opportunity for transformation.

Europe & Latin America “Gapless” Route
Traveling to Italy, Albania, Greece, Chiapas (Mexico), and Guatemala
For ages 17–21
If you’re feeling called to both the historical heart of Europe and the warmth of Latin America, this unique route combines two regions into one life-changing journey. This route includes an innovative curriculum that blends spiritual growth, practical skills, and academic excellence to prepare you for a purpose-driven life.

Empty hands. Full heart. Global purpose.

The World Race: Gap Year is more than a mission trip—it’s a chance to live the kind of life you were made for. One where your heart expands, your priorities shift, and your faith grows deeper in the simplicity of saying yes to God.

Learn more about our Gap Year routes and apply today.

Your backpack might be light – but your life will never be the same.