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More information: To read more about Baker's mission adventure, go online to www.Victoriabaker.theworldrace.org.
Miamisburg resident Victoria Baker began a journey of a lifetime in 2015, 11 countries in 11 months. But this wasn’t a five-star, globetrotting vacation. She was part of a mission group for The World Race.
“I was a member of the first ever Fusion squad, the nations going out to the nations. Most race teams are composed of North American participants going out into the world, but the Race is working hard to (get all nations involved),” said Baker. “So on my squad of 25, we had members from Korea, the UK (United Kingdom), Vietnam and Swaziland.”
All those members had to raise money from sponsors for their trips during the months before their departure. Even living out of a backpack costs money. Baker had to raise over $16,200 in order to go on this extended mission trip.
The World Race is an inter-denominational Adventures in Missions program. The first trips consisted of sending groups to Mexico in 2006. While in Swaziland the next year, leader Seth Barnes was inspired to turn it into an 11-country, 11-month mission trip for young adults, 21-35. Participants attend a six-week week training camp beforehand. There is also a World Race Gap Year where college students take a year off classes and journey to three continents in nine months.
“It was an amazing opportunity. … As a missionary on the field, you spend one month in each country. (We were) being the hands and feet of Jesus and sharing the gospel: loving, serving, caring for, preaching and teaching,” Baker said. “Every month is different, every country is different, every people group is different.”
The one constant was the message of love and support that the squad was offering every people group they met on their 11-month journey.
“From widows and orphans, to agriculture and moving rocks, and all the in between … it’s a stunning adventure to take our eyes off of ourselves and love … the forgotten, the lost, the hurting, the world,” said Baker.
The 11 countries visited were Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Swaziland, Lesotho, South Africa, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Belize and the United States. As her squad was made up from people from various parts of the world, the U.S. was part of the list, as well.
“The people around the world taught me much and offered much love,” said Baker. “To reach out to the women caught in sex trafficking, to give water to those who are in dire need of the most simple of things, to pray for the AIDS infected child, and to sing (praise songs) with the people of Africa — those with so little see and get (our message) so beautifully.”
Baker has several tattoos, one of which is a world map that covers both of her feet. She had that done at the age of 19 when she returned from a spring break trip to India. Seeing the need of some people in that country led her to believe that she was meant to help in some way. Simply showing kindness around the world, like what she experienced later during her World Race.
“While in Thailand, the simple act of giving a McDonald’s ice cream to a mother and her child to then get a chance to sit on the streets with them and color a picture. It turned military men’s heads but brought smiles of awe,” Baker said.
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