Hi! My name is Anna Yarbrough and I am 18 years old. I am currently preparing to leave this August to do the Lord’s work with a program called World Race. World Race is an organization that gives the opportunity for young adults to go on short term mission trips to serve the less fortunate by partnering with local ministries to provide help in disaster relief, human trafficking prevention, and community outreach. This is my first blog out of many and I will be posting from now until I return in 2027!

Helping people who have less than I do has always been on my heart, even when I was a little girl. But honestly, that desire became a real calling because of my own story. Middle and high school were actually pretty hard for me. I went through things that really broke me down, and I struggled deeply with my mental health. During that time, the people around me just showed up. Some of them totally understood what I was going through, and some had no clue, but they stayed by me anyway. Having someone stand in the gap with me changed everything. Those experiences built me into the person I am today. Now, I want to be that person for others. I want to show up for people in their darkest moments, whether we have the same background or not, because I know firsthand how much it matters to not be alone in the struggle.

The trip I will be going on is nine months long and I will be traveling to Italy, Nepal, Thailand, Indonesia and Australia! Throughout this journey, I’ll be using this space to keep you all updated:

• I’ll be posting updates every time we hit a new fundraising goal. Your support is what makes this possible, and I want to celebrate those wins with you!

• I’ll be sharing stories, photos, and videos from the field so you can see the faces and places your prayers are reaching.

• I’ll be honest with real-time needs as they come up so we can stay connected in spirit, no matter how many miles are between us.

I’m looking for a team of people to partner with me. If you feel led to support this journey—whether that’s through prayer for my safety and the people I’ll meet, or through a financial gift—it would mean the world to me. I’m not just going for myself; I’m going representing everyone who has poured into me over the last 18 years.

As the days go by and I get closer and closer to when I leave, I am asking for prayer that the Lord gives me the strength to be in uncomfortable situations this next year, for peace that I stay confident this is the best next step after high school, and for opportunity to spend time with my loved ones before I leave for nine months. Thank you so much for your support!

Sincerely, Anna