China Mongolia

Your Race will begin in the home of the Great Wall and a sixth of the world’s population. China is one of the most exciting and strategic places to be a missionary. While China has grown leaps and bounds industrially, intellectually, and economically, it's still a politically closed nation. You will meet very few Christians, however, the underground church is extensive and continues growing (and even thriving!) amidst persecution. This month you will work alongside our partners and encourage them to continue sharing the love of Jesus in a country where His name is not known.

Next, your journey will take you south to Nepal. Nepal is home to Mt. Everest, the tallest mountain in the world, this nation literally sits in the clouds. Nepal is a very spiritual and colorful country with breathtaking and mountain views. Most of our work in Nepal is focused around sharing the Gospel with marginalized people groups, especially those in rural areas. Whether you’re in the cities outlined by the Himalayas or trekking through the hills yourself, you’ll most likely find yourself walking long distances to share your faith over a cup of milk tea.

Next, you will continue to India. Most Racers live and serve in Southern India, where the villages are bustling with activity. You’ll experience India with all your senses as you walk through the sea of colors and take in all the spices wafting through the air. In India we partner with a local movement to plant 100,000 churches. You’ll travel from village to village while preaching and praying for families. Indian people might seem stern, but their hearts are incredibly warm and relational. Expect to be invited into someone’s home and offered chai often as people invite you to simply sit and talk.

Your journey will continue on to the horn of Africa, starting in Djibouti – a NEW nation for the World Race. This nation was previously more isolated before the very recent opening of a brand new railway from Ethiopia. Most Racers will work alongside the large population of refugees from war-torn Somalia and Yemen. Our partners are some of the only aid organizations sharing the love of Christ alongside their care for these displaced people. As this is a new country for the World Race, you will also have the unique and exciting task of helping pioneer this nation -- following God to find local men and women of Christ to partner with future teams.

Next you will head to Ethiopia, where the people there 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 non-profit organizations, but very few are sharing the Gospel. Many World Racers spend their time helping our partners share their faith in Jesus with at-risk children. The elderly population in Ethiopia is often neglected, so many of our partners work to care for senior citizens and teach youth to honor and respect them. As a Racer, you may likely find yourself spending long hours drinking coffee and listening to the incredible stories this population has to tell.

Next, you'll head to the intersection of Europe and Asia – Turkey! At some point in the month, you will surely pass through Istanbul, a stunning city with palm tree lined, cobblestone streets alongside towering pristine buildings. The smell of grilled corn and chestnuts fill the air from all the restaurants stacked on top of each. Many Race teams will serve the Syrian refugee community – helping with job training and teaching English. Other teams will get the opportunity to work with local churches and train locals spread the Gospel. In Turkey, locals love to meet visitors. When you walk down the street, some might run out of their house and invite you in for apple tea.

Heading back into Asia, your next month will take place in Georgia. Most Georgian people are very hardened from the Soviet era and not comfortable or encouraged to express themselves – their culture is very focused on doing the right thing. You could be a part of inspiring them to be themselves and to experience the grace and beauty of relationship of knowing Jesus Christ. One of our main partners in Georgia focus on working with Kurdish refugees, a discriminated and displaced nation of people of who don’t have a state of their own. You could spend your days helping them integrate into the local culture, sharing your hope in Christ. We also partner with a college ministry focused on engaging students on small groups, Bible studies and even fun outings like ski trips.

Next, you will journey south to Azerbaijan, an exciting highlight of this part of the journey. We have sent squads here for a week or so at a time, but this will be the first time a World Race squad spends an entire month doing ministry in this nation. We are excited to continue building and expanding ministry relationships in this country, so you will get to be apart of pioneering new opportunities for us. After your month, your squad will spend a week sailing down the Caspian Sea on a cargo boat traveling from Baku, Azerbaijan to Aktau, Kazakhstan. You will be able to slow down, process your journey so far and watch the small towns go by along the water. At night you will marvel at the glowing plankton and lose your breath over the bright, crystal clear stars.

After your sailing journey, you will begin month nine in Kazakhstan. The landscape here is very harsh and difficult to clutivate and provide food from. Kazakhstani are very hardworking, dependable and focused on the family. Most teams will work with local Churches. There are so few churches in Kazakhstan, all the pastors know each other and are able to work together. You will likely get the opportunity to join in this network and discipline new and old believers. Our partners work to transform their nation through focusing on their communities. The believers in Kazakhstan are not naturally mission-minded, so as a Racer you will have the opportunity to encourage and train them to share their faith with the communities.

Next you will head to Kyrgyzstan, where they have a lot more access to higher education and thus are a bit more progressive. The government, however does not invest very much into the next generation, and they often feel forgotten. One of our main partners is focused on investing in university students. They love ask Racers to make friends with one or two people and then spend the whole month investing them. You could spend your month sharing your faith and getting to know students over picnics or long hikes – two favorite activities for locals.

Your final month of the World Race will end very close to where it started, Mongolia. This nation is the most sparsely populated country in the world with 30 percent nomadic people and most unfamiliar with the Gospel. The people of Mongolia are highly independent, used to relying on themselves and their immediate communities as they live and travel throughout the land. This month you will have the opportunity to share the love and hope of Jesus with people that have mostly likely never heard His name before.