HOULTON, Maine — The call to serve the Lord happens to people at many different stages of life. For some, it comes after they have spent many years working professionally, while others hear the call after their children have grown and left the house.
For Kayla Fleming, 24, of New Limerick, the call to spread God’s word is now. Fleming is currently raising money to participate in “The World Race,” a missions trip that sees its participants visit 11 countries over an 11-month period.
In July, Fleming hopes to begin her missions trip, which includes visits to Ireland, Romania, Ukraine, Nepal, India, South Africa, Mozambique, Swaziland, Thailand, Taiwan and Cambodia. In order to participate though, she needs to raise the required money for the trip.
To date, Fleming has collected $2,926, but an additional $574 is needed by May 1 in order to begin the first leg of her journey. Additional funds are needed in stages, with the grand total reaching $15,500.
During the excursion, Fleming will be with a group of six or eight individuals, visiting these foreign countries and living in tents.
“It’s kind of an extreme trip,” she said. “We will live out of a backpack. So whatever clothes we can fit in the pack is what we have for 11 months.”
The World Race is open to adults ages 21-35 who are searching for a purpose in their lives.
“Each country is a little bit different, but the purpose is to spread the word of God,” she said. “Our goal is to point people to Jesus.”
How that message is delivered could vary from country to country. In some areas, sports camps may be set up, while in others the group may do “street evangelism” to get their message through. Interpreters will also be with the groups to facilitate the language differences.
Fleming was born in Newport Beach, Calif., but over the years, her family moved between Houlton and California four times. According to the biography on her fund-raising webpage, “My parents are Christians and I grew up going to church every Sunday until I was about 16, That’s when I decided to turn my back on God. I had my driver’s license, so this made me a little more independent. I started working, I got myself a boyfriend, and it was all kind of downhill from there. It wasn’t until much later that God finally pulled me back into His arms. I was 21 when I dedicated my life to Christ and that was the moment I truly was saved. I’ve been a Christian for about two and a half years now.”
She has a bachelor’s degree in athletic training from the University of Maine at Presque Isle and was working at a college in California for one year before becoming a personal trainer. Once she learned about the race, she knew a change was in her future. A 2006 graduate of Hodgdon High School, Fleming decided to return to The County to begin raising money for her adventure.
The first World Race squads launched from Mexico in January 2006. Literally knocking on doors and sleeping on streets, it was a raw adventure of faith. While in Swaziland in 2007, the Lord told Seth Barnes to structure the World Race for a movement and to give it away to his generation.
“I am looking to get a better understanding of my identity in Christ,” she said. “And I would also like to have a better understanding of the world we live in. If I can bring hope to just one child, than it will be worth it to me.”
For more information, or to support Fleming, visit http://kaylafleming.theworldrace.org.
