Sell It All NYC: Jessi’s World Race

By: Ashley-Lynn Goldstein

Jessi Marquez is truly a campus diva, not only is she planning a trip to 11 different countries to “spread hope and love” she is raising money to do so by holding sick events throughout the NY area!

I had the opportunity to speak to Jessi and learn a little bit about her cause and her fabulous events.

1. Can you tell us about your trip? (Where you are going, what you
will be doing etc)

My trip is called The World Race. I will be traveling to 11 different
countries over 11 months to spread hope and love, and genuinely serve
people right where they are! I will be leaving the comforts of home
and abandoning a traditional lifestyle to live in a tent with a
backpack! I will be doing a variety of things including working in
various orphanages and working to stop human trafficking! I am going
to New Zealand, Australia, Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda,
Kenya, Possibly Swaziland, Ukraine, Romania, and other places in
Eastern Europe. I am so excited to bring hope to the hopeless, build
plumbing systems for different communities, and rock an orphan child
to sleep.

2. What inspired you to plan such a trip?

A few months ago I heard a song by Matthew West called “The Motions.”
The chorus sang:

“I don’t wanna spend my whole life asking,”What if I had given
everything,instead of going through the motions?”

It was at this point I realized…I had to do something different with
my life. I had done what you were supposed to do as a 24 year old
girl. I had gone to college and finished in time. I had moved to the
city and found a great paying job. Somehow, I was able to get myself
and friends into nearly any hot spot in NYC, and I had fallen in love.
It would seem that things were going according to plan, and running
pretty smoothly. Yet, I still felt unfufilled.

I was excited when I came across the opportunity to travel and serve
others. I applied to “The World Race” and was accepted. I really felt
as if God was calling a much bigger plan for my life. I always liked
to have control and determine my own destiny. Now, everything has
become about stepping into faith. I think that every person has that
point in their lives where they realize they are broken. That the
problems in the world begin with you. I realized that most of the time
I was spending on things was for myself, and not others. I know this
may sound super Christiany and thats not what I am trying to
do…However, I think Gods love is the only thing that can really
change a broken world.

3. What are your plans for your upcoming fundraiser?

I have 2 fundraisers this weekend and 2 in December. This weekend on
Saturday and Sunday afternoon I am selling all of my items at this
event called “Sell it all NYC”. It is held at Gallery 151 and it helps
stop human trafficking. There will be live music and refreshments and
lots of cool items, such as my Louis Vuitton Bag!
Saturday night, the 21st I am holding an event at East End Bar on 87th
and 1st. It is called Graffiti for the Needy. Its your typical college
theme party, and we will be selling $15 tee-shirts to Graffiti. The
Tee-shirt proceeds go towards The World Race. There will also be an
open bar available as well as drink specials. I will also be selling
jewelry for Bead for Life. Basically these women in Uganda create
beads from recycled magazines. Its absolutely amazing what you can do
if you need to support your family. These beads help these women work
and sustain a life in Uganda. ITS SO INSPIRING! On December 4th I am
holding an event for Glamour Magazine at the Empire Hotel. Its
sponsored by Canon Cameras and there will be an opportunity for people
to be in the magazine. A $10 donation gets you a ticket to the VIP
area where there are bottles and food available. Lastly, December 19th
my best friends are throwing a going away party for me at the preppy
hot spot Dorrians. 10% of the back bars proceeds will go towards the
world race. So yes, I am very busy…But it is all worth it!

4. What advice would you give college students looking to go on a similar trip?

DO IT! GO! Don’t listen to what society says is normal, thats boring
and un fulfilling. This is the best time in your life to do something
like this. You have no REAL responsibilities yet. You can always get a
job, you can always get an apartment. You have your whole life to
“worry”. If you feel led to go, then Go. Don’t worry about how you can
do it. I never thought I could raise $16,000…and its happening.
Matthew 10:8 says “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who
have leprosy,drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”
I really do believe that. I have a great life, and have been blessed
in so many ways. Why not share that joy with people that have lost all
hope!

5. What else would you like to tell our readers?

Don’t ever get caught up in the motion of life. If it feels like you
are in a routine, then change something about it. There is nothing
worse than putting all of your time into something you aren’t
passionate about. What does it benefit a man to gain the whole world
and forfeit his life. The last thing I want is to wake up at 80 years
old and realize I never accomplished anything. Thank you again to all
of my supporters and for all of your encouraging words. Please read
more at www.JessiMarquez.com and www.Jessimarquez.Theworldrace.org