About Me

Hi everyone!

Thank you friends, family, and strangers that are taking the time to get to know me more and being interested in what God is doing in me and through me. Let me introduce myself so my perspective of the World Race will make a bit more sense.

I’ve been in Salem, Oregon for the past 5 ish years, and I have graduated recently with my bachelor’s in Intercultural Studies that I plan to intentionally use for serving the Lord overseas. The World Race is one of my first steps into long-term overseas missions apart from trips with my schools. I have received academic training, prayer, encouragement, and a support system through my university. Thank you to all my friends who I’ve met there, you helped me thrive <3

Before coming to Oregon for university, I was living with my family in Taiwan. I grew up as a TCK (third culture kid), specifically an MK (missionary’s kid). A TCK is someone who grew up outside of their passport country for a majority of their developmental years. Although I look American and have an American family, I don’t feel 100% American. And although I grew up in Taiwan and have a million Taiwanese uncles and aunties, I don’t feel 100% Taiwanese. It’s a fun little mix of cultures, traditions, languages, and family that becomes who God has made me to be. Please ask me questions about being a TCK, as it is one of the biggest blessings God has given me. Taiwan is my home. The church family, street food, convenience, tea, mountains, beaches, kids, and the love from strangers will never leave my heart. 

It was in high school when I went on my first missions trip, and I absolutely loved it. I wanted to keep getting out of my comfort pit to experience the Gospel and live it out. After that first trip to the Philippines (where I actually met some racers), I started thinking about what it would be like to do overseas missions for the rest of my life. Being comfortable doesn’t allow for the Holy Spirit to move as easily. So, by going on the Race I am saying “Please Lord, let Your will be done, not mine”. I want to be faithful in our calling to make disciples. God has given me the passion and desire to shine His light among the unreached. 

Here are 6 things you probably don’t need but want to know about me:

1. Sunsets, clouds, and personalities are my favorite parts of God’s creation.

2. Journaling and writing out my prayers is my most consistent spiritual discipline. It is a main Ebenezer of mine by helping me remember how God has worked in the past. Writing down my thoughts also helps me articulate my feelings while presenting them to the Lord. Let me know if you need prompts or any ideas about organization. I will probably mention prayer journaling in many of my future posts.  

3. I’m a three on the enneagram personality test. This means that I like to be productive, efficient, and want to be valuable to others. I have been learning that God accepts me and loves me no matter what I do, I need to live in His grace. I like to encourage others to use their talents and help them to thrive.

4. I thoroughly enjoy board games

5. I’m almost a cat (curling up in the sunshine indoors, I’m curious so I smell and touch random things, snacking throughout the day, sitting in weird positions, good balance, I get excited about things and my pupils get big, I can be sneaky, I need my alone time, and I get along too well with cats)

6. I’ve been a part of theatre in some capacity for 17 years of my life. Strictly stage crew for the last 12 years.

Please join me in praying for…

The people I am going to serve and interact with:

• opened hearts to receive Truth
• boldness to have conversations with team members or local Christians
• hunger for more of God

My team members:

• acknowledging and open to God’s leading
• endurance
• good communication
• flexibility
• wisdom
• strength and rest from the Lord
• that God would speak through us

 Me:

• to be sensitive and act on the nudges the Holy Spirit 
• patience
• to always rely on the Lord and not myself
• be consistent in His Word
• a direction for future long-term missions
• desire to know God more
• remember and keep priorities straight
• boldness
• to live above reproach
• discernment

Not my will, but His,

Sarah Dodd