It’s really hard to believe that I’m actually writing my first blog right now. Not only is it the first blog I’ve ever done, but it’s also one of the first steps into everything that the next several months will hold. I’ll start with an introduction and some of my backstory, and then I’ll do my best to explain how and why I willingly signed up to leave the country for nine months.
If you don’t know me, My name is (Joshua) Carter Abney and I’m currently a student at south plains college in Lubbock, TX. I have the best job- a youth intern job at Indiana Avenue Baptist Church where I get to lead, serve, and just hang out with lots middle school and high school kids. I’m an education major with the hopes of being a high school basketball coach one day, or at least I think I want to. I probably won’t be sure until I get there, but I trust that God will put me wherever He wants me.
I grew up heavily involved in Church, but didn’t learn what it meant to really know God until much later into High School. To say Jesus rocked my world is an understatement. He showed me so much about who He is and what it means to follow Him with everything I have. He also exposed a lot of the areas where sin had a hold of my life and other areas where I was living only for myself. Since then, I’ve been working to let go of what I want and to grow in my faith, letting Him refine the areas of my life that don’t match up with His word. I’m nowhere near finished, but I’m working to take steps to be more of the man God wants me to be. Growing doesn’t come easy, but I’ve learned that growing comes from being uncomfortable. So, that’s exactly what I’m going to do, get uncomfortable. And what better way to get uncomfortable, than with other believers getting to spread the life-changing word of God all around the world?
This desire and my co-worker Annie Kane are what led me to the World Race Gap Year mission trip. She took the trip herself back in 2015 and we’ve had countless conversations about how it changed her life and how she was able to honor God through it, which sparked my interest as well. After a few months of diligent prayer and lots of help from wise people around me, I decided to take the leap of faith and apply. Which led me here now, at the beginning of this long and exciting journey.
The Gap Year mission trip is a nine month mission that leaves September 2021, where my team and I will spend time in Costa Rica, Thailand, and Eswatini (Africa) until the end of May 2022. During this time we will be spreading the good news and love of Christ through manual labor projects, community outreach, children’s ministry, sports ministry, and teaching English, as well as the many other ministry opportunities.
Until our team leaves next September, I will be fundraising a lot and I would love your help. Any donation will go a long way! I would also ask for lots of prayers for my entire team- prayers for safety, prayers for the people that we will be ministering to, and ultimately prayers that in everything we do, we are able to glorify God and expand His kingdom. I would love to talk with you about any questions you may have, so please feel free to reach out! I’m super excited for what God is doing through this team and I can’t wait to get started! Thank you for taking the time to visit my page and read about me! I will continue to post about my spiritual and financial progress on my page thoughout this journey, so check back anytime to see where I’m at. Thank you and have a blessed day!
Yay Carter! The Stewarts are super proud of you! I have no doubt that God will use you in a BIG way!
Carter you are a true leader and I know you will do amazing things that honor our Heavenly Father. So proud of you and we will be Praying for you throughout your journey. I know you will do great things.
I’m SO proud of you cart!! I’m excited to keep walking this journey with you and to see all that God has in store for you through this!
Yay cart!! So excited for you!!
So proud of you Carter! You are doing great things. Let Gods light shine through you. I pray for your safety and your team.
I’m so proud of you Carter! I always knew you would do great things, not just for you but for the Lord. Even as a 6 year old you “thought” like an adult. I’ll be in prayer for you and your group.
So very proud of you Carter!
Carter,
I am super excited for you. This is something I have always wanted to do. I’m very proud of you for following your heart and the Holy Spirit. Prayers for you and your team as you spread God’s word.
Praise the Lord that you will be doing the His work in various places. May the Lord protect, guide and lead you in all things. May He give you His eyes, ears and heart as you deliver His message of freedom and lead in His love book. What a blessing and privileged it is to serve along the side of His most passionate workers! ?? Praying for you!
Carter, I’m so very proud to call you my nephew, and proud of you for your dedication and devotion to doing the Lord’s work! God bless you and keep you and your team safe as you live out the Great Commission! Love you, Aunt June & Uncle Ray
Yay carter! So excited for you! I know God has big plans for you, and I’m excited to see them!!
Wishing you Godspeed in this new adventure Carter. Good luck!
Words cannot express how proud of you I am. I’m praying already and know that you will have wonderful stories of miracles to tell us when you get back. Retrac, you are amazing. Love your passion for Christ. So stinking excited for you!!!
Very cool! We are so proud of you and we will be praying for you!
How exciting!! We will be praying for you!
That’s awesome Carter! Your transparency is contagious, and you genuinely love doing God’s work . Go Carter !