World Race Gap Year 2014

World Race Gap year, calling and adventure of a lifetime! My name is Bryan Noll and I will be turning twenty on June 30th, 2014. I Graduated High school last year in Colorado Springs (2013), and left for college in Pennsylvania at a Christian college named Messiah. I have struggled to find motivation and drive in my academic studies this year. Constantly wrestling with where God wants me and the vocational direction I should follow. In the past I have struggled greatly with my life, burdened with events that have weighed me down and drawn me to the last straw. It may sound cliché in our culture today, but I absolutely battle with depression every day, and it has a crippling effect in my life. I try digging deep, pushing into Gods love, mercy, and forgiveness, realizing that I am nothing without Jesus, but that doesn't heal my pain instantly. Life is a journey, one that often times seems impossible and suffocating, but somehow I keep going. I trust God with all my heart, and I want to be healed, and I want to find my identity in HIm. Instead of dragging through life, I desire to thrive. When I signed up, through an extensive interview on Theworldrace.org, I went through several interviews and release forms before I was accepted, and boy was I excited when I heard that I had been accepted to The World Race Gap Year Program. The entire day I walked with my head held high and a growing passion within my heart to serve the Lord. However, I also understand that serving God is never an easy task, for the enemy relentlessly seeks to destroy. I told myself, "No matter the discouragement that may come, I will trust that God is in control and that He has called me into missions for a reason." The $12,000 that I have to raise in one summer is an incredibly daunting task, but I know if God calls me to go, no barrier will keep me down. For the nine months that I will be serving abroad I will travel to three different continents. Central America, Africa, and Asia. My team and I will remain on each continent for three months, developing friendship and community along the way. Here is our mission. To discover God in the faces and smiles of children all around the world. To dance alongside brothers and sisters as the word of God spreads to the most remote villages. From building schools, churches, and homes, to feeding the hungry, nothing is outside the hands of God. James 1:12 says, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." God has allowed me to go through difficult things so that I could fall in love with him, and also to prepare my heart. The compassion and love I have for people and God never would have existed without the painful trials I have faced thus far. Jesus will make beauty from these ashes, and though I know the trials of this life are not over, I know that God will never leave my side. I thank the lord for this opportunity to serve, and ask that you partner with me in prayer and funds as we embark on this adventure. Praise be to God. Here are some photos that reflect some of the adventures in my life currently, and I hope to add and share many more. Follow my blog atbryannoll.theworldrace.org  For an alternate way to donate, directly to the orginization I will be traveling with, Adventurein Missions, and for a tax deductable benefit follow thins link. https://www.adventures.org/give/donate.asp?giveto=worldrace&desc=For Bryan Noll