Sep 2019 — May 2020

Guatemala Thailand

This Gap Year route starts close to home and ends up on the other side of the globe.

Route Completed

3 countries

Route Guides

Hope Mendola-Wong

Elder

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I thought I was a Christian, but when I was 19 my view of everything (Jesus, the Bible, Church, Christianity) came tumbling down. I found myself angry and confused as I questioned what I had been told all my life. Little did I know I was on the path to making my faith my own. I spent the next few years figuring out who God was and what I believed. By the time I was 21, I decided Jesus was the answer. Since then, God has taken me from the slums of India to the mountains of Africa. He's transformed my heart, strengthened my faith, and given me purpose beyond myself. My story has given me a passion for the next generation because I know firsthand how influential those first few years out of high school are. I can't wait for you to join us on this journey!

Madison Goodwin

Squad Mentor

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As a six-year-old, I was baptized. I made the decision to take this next step because it was what was expected of me, not because I was committed to Jesus. I spent the next fourteen years of my life wondering why a God, so big and so far away, cared for me. In high school I gravitated towards and chose to hang out with the party crowd, and I found myself veering from my values. When I graduated high school, I began taking classes at Auburn University (War Eagle!). It was there that I really started to search for something more... more than the status quo, more than the cute boys, more than the sorority scene, and more than religion or a set of rules to live by. I had a longing in me for something that was missing, so I began visiting Christian college programs and churches in the area. In 2013, as a twenty-year-old woman, I committed my heart, my soul, and my spirit to God, and my life has never been the same! In 2016, I launched on the World Race, and I fell in love! I first fell in love with our creator. He took me on a journey of discovery with Him, and everything began to change. As I grew in love with Father, I grew in loving myself and in loving God's children all over the world! Over the last three years since my race, I have dedicated myself to empowering and leading racers in their own journey. I am passionate about the Kingdom of God, and I am so excited to walk with you in this next incredible season of your life!

Kendra Coco

Coach

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Matt and Kendra Coco have been married for 29 years. They live in Lafayette, Louisiana, also widely known as Acadiana, the center of Cajun and Creole culture in the United States. They have two WR children, Brandon (11in11 - Jan 2016) and Amelia (Gap Year - Sept 2017). As a family, we enjoy the gym, Cajun dancing, cooking, card games, board games and co-leading a church discipleship group. We were inspired during a Romanian PVT and encouraged by squad leaders and coaches to prayerfully consider coaching for the WR. Once a field engineer in the oil & gas industry, Matt now serves on church staff for buildings and grounds. He volunteers his time to music ministry, leading a solo acoustic Wednesday night worship with hymns and a 7 person (5 instruments) worship band in Southern Gospel Revival Hymns on occasional Sundays. He is also a sound & stage tech volunteer for worship and special events. Outside of church, Matt enjoys being part of the local MenȹƑƉs Bible Study Fellowship (BSF). Kendra is involved in community organizations where she can teach others and build relationships as a childbirth and lactation coach, a youth human sexuality class instructor and an adjunct Psychology professor. She is also involved with Bible studies, Vacation Bibles School (VBS), church events promotions and is an avid tennis player. As parents of world racers, we learned their journey was our journey as well. We look forward to all Lord will do within the lives of our racers and parents.

Matt Coco

Coach

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Brittany Standridge

Alum Squad Leader

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Connor Gaul

Alum Squad Leader

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Kyndal Broome

Alum Squad Leader

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Aimee Dias

Squad Logistics

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Where They Went - What They Did

Central America

Guatemala

Central America

Guatemala

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Your first month starts in Central America in the “Land of Eternal Spring” – Guatemala. This is a country where Adventures has an established base. Guatemala is one of the most evangelical countries in the world. You’ll have the opportunity to work alongside local believers working to bring the Word of Christ to a new generation. You might spend your days building relationships with youth who are at risk for falling into gang violence, but you could also teach English or kick a soccer ball around in the lush rainforest terrain with volcanoes dotting the skyline. Life in Guatemala is slow and focused around hospitality, and it’s a truly stunning place where God is raising up a generation to serve His Kingdom.

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East Africa

Ethiopia

East Africa

Ethiopia

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Next, you’ll head to Ethiopia, a nation unlike any other African country as it evokes a feeling more closely associated to the Middle East. The people here are deeply passionate about families and being together. All meals are eaten from collective plates and absolutely nothing can start without their signature coffee ceremony. There are many organizations working to serve the locals, but very few are sharing the Gospel alongside their work. Many World Racers spend their time helping our partners share their faith in Jesus with at-risk children while helping provide them an education. The elderly population in Ethiopia is often neglected, so you may spend time working to care for senior citizens, teaching the youth to honor and respect them and listening to their incredible stories.

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Southeast Asia

Thailand

Southeast Asia

Thailand

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Your time in Southeast Asia starts in Thailand, known for its stunning beaches, friendly people and bustling outdoor food markets. You will feel welcomed here, and have countless opportunities to share your faith with both locals and tourists. In Thailand, you may spend your days loving on children with special needs or doing projects around our Adventures Thailand base. You will likely spend hours covering this country, your teammates, and the base in prayer.

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*Routes may change if unforeseen issues arise.

Squad

Squad is the term we use at the World Race to describe the 30-45 people traveling with you on your route this year!

Squad

Team Name: 3.2

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Madi Carter

Richardson, TX

Maegan Comer

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Natalie Koppendrayer

Princeton, MN

Alana Stevens

Colorado Springs, CO

Alicia Young

Phoenix, AZ

Team Name: Capable

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Mary Eastland

Lawrenceville, GA

Jamie Jenkins

Cliff, NM

Rachel Rose

Fort Worth, TX

KJ White

Bossier City, LA

Chelsey Wiers

Byron Center, MI

Team Name: Ekklesia

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Anna Bearss

Buena Vista, CO

Elisabeth Miller

College Station, TX

Bri Moore

Severance, CO

Kaya Mullen

Staunton, Virginia

Sadie Reese

Stuart, FL

Team Name: Esther

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Chelsea Adamson

Cumming, GA

Valeria Gomez Villalobos

San Jose, Costa Rica

Hannah Keller

Houston, TX

Amber Pifer

Port Allegany, PA

Hannah Sullivan

Fort Mill, SC

Team Name: Men of God

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Grant Holdeman

paker, CO

Damon Hunter

HARLEYSVILLE, PA

Mo Nelms

Corinth, MS

Mason Ruark

Selah, WA

Gibson White

Marion, AR

Team Name: P31

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SKYLAR BARBEE

bonaire, GA

Charlie Breda

New Braunfels, TX

Paige Mattingley

Thornton, CO

May Pelep

Springdale, AR

Evelyn Simmons

Franklin, MA

midge Smith

St. Matthews, SC

Ana Westhoff

Alexander, IA

Team Name: Unity

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Maddie Bailey

round rock, TX

Eva Gomez

Elk Grove, California

Bailey King

Richmond Hill, GA

Mallory Sailer

Fairview, TX

Alexis Simmons

Telluride, CO

melanie Wells

Virginia Beach, VA

Application Closed

Stories From the Field

Want to know what it's really like to go on the World Race? Check out our most recent updates from World Racers about life on the field and how you could be a part of it!

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