First of all I would like to say what a privilege and blessing it's been working with each of you.  In just a short time I have come to consider Northland my home and you my family.  However, after a year of searching I feel the Lord has called me on to a different path.  I'm sure many of you have heard but I wanted to fill you in on some details that you may not know. 

For those that don't know I have decided to go on a year long (technically it's 10 months and 23 days according to my mother) mission trip.  I will be traveling with an organization called Adventures in Missions.  I will travel in a team of 6 individuals and we will travel to eleven different countries.  My team will be just one of many others.  There are usually about 50 people that go on these trips and we are split into equal teams.  The trip itself is called the World Race.  There is a "race" component to the trip.  The teams will actually 'race' from one country to the next.  We will be timed from country to country and the times will be totaled at the end.  Once in a country we will partner with an existing missionary or ministry for the next four weeks.  In each country we will be doing something different, which is one aspect of the trip that I find very compelling.  In some countries we will work in orphanages, while in others we may work with women who had previously been victims of the sex slave trade.  It will all depend on where we are as to what work we will be doing.

While on this trip my suitcase will be a backpack.  The thought of a simplistic life is a desire the Lord has placed on my heart for some time now.  I'm not sure you can get much simpler than living out of a backpack!  =)  Each person must take a one person tent and at times this will be our home.  Our housing will depend on where we are but I must admit that I'm most excited about camping in the bush of Africa.

The countries I will be traveling to are New Zealand, Australia, Cambodia, Thailand, Uganda, Ukraine, Kenya, Cambodia, Malaysia, Eastern Europe, Romania and 'Pioneer Africa.'  I'm not certain of the order we will travel to each country but they are all on my current itinerary.

I would be honored if you would partner with me in prayer for this trip.  I realize that only the Lord could take me away from my family for a year and only the Lord will be able to sustain me for this adventure.  I know that on this trip I will encounter the Lord in ways I never dreamed possible.  I’m realistic enough to also know that there will be times when I wonder why in the world I decided to do this and have an intense desire to go home.  My prayer is that the Lord will prepare my heart for the unexpected.  I’m praying that He will begin, even now, shaping and preparing my heart to love the unloved, touch the untouched, reach the unreached and see the Lord in each and every one of them.  I am also already praying that the loneliness that I know I will encounter will draw me nearer to the Lord and allow me to trust Him like never before.

While on the field we are instructed to blog at least once a week if we are in a civilized area that has internet cafes.  I have already started blogging and have a few posts up that you can read if you are interested.  This is one way that our family and friends can stay in touch with us.  If you are interested my blog address is:  http://christinekeeling.theworldrace.org/

As with all mission trips there is a cost.  Like everyone else I am very aware of the economy and the situation many of us find ourselves in.  However, if you are interested in supporting me financially please feel free to contact me or you can give online on my blog page.  Please do not take this note as a plea for money.  If you are willing and able that is great.  And, yes, as I’ve said numerous times any small amount helps.  However, know that the reason I wrote this was to let you know about the exciting adventure the Lord has placed before me.  If I’m asking for anything it is simply your prayers.  I know the Lord will provide every one of my needs. 

Thank you so much for your encouragement, your support and your love for the days that I’ve been here.  And I want to go ahead and thank you for the prayers you will offer up on my behalf.  The Lord has used so many of you to touch my heart in ways I’ll never forget and for that I am forever grateful.