About a year ago I really felt like God was calling me to do a mission; little did I know He was calling me to the mission field, nor did I realize at the time that there was a difference between doing a mission trip and going to the mission field! In January 2012 I emailed a wonderful friend, "K," who lives in Liberia, Africa, about how I felt God calling me to do some mission work. K emailed me with some encouraging advice and things concerning if I would join him in Africa.
As time passed I felt that Liberia is not right for me; not right now at least.
About a month ago I was having one of my "my life has no purpose" meltdowns to my college roommate "J." In our conversation she told me (again) that maybe I just need to get out of Piqua; stop letting things get in my way and hold me back. Just GO. I think she was maybe talking about moving but the more I thought about it, the more I thought about how I had been
called to GO!
I started Google-ing mission organizations. I started looking for a month or two mission trip. I started searching for my place to GO! I found an organization that seemed awesome and the more I read about it the more it seemed fit for me, starting with their opening line:
Have you ever wondered if there's something more out there? If
there's
more to life than empty traditions, routines, and working 9-5
everyday
to achieve the impossibility of the American dream?
YES!!! This is what I had been saying! I was so excited! I called J and she knew people who had been on the trip. I asked a pastor friend to be a reference, he agreed and hooked me up with a girl he knows who had done the trip! So with J I now had my two references; I applied two days after I had found out about THE WORLD RACE.
This was something God told me to do on my own, not to tell my friends, not to tell my church, not to tell my FAMILY! Whoa! This was big for me! My family knows everything! So, I was obedient. It was hard! A week after applying I had a phone interview that lasted an hour. They got down to the nitty-gritty low times in my life, they heard my entire past, they got to know me better than some of my family and friends know me. A week later, I had a follow-up call just to clarify things and four days later I got the call. They told me I was "a perfect candidate for their team" AAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!! My response: "That's So Awesome!"
Now I had to tell my family. I had to ask my parents if I could move back in with them. I had to commit to moving back in with my parents, selling all my possessions and dedicating my next (at least) year and a half to the mission field!
The World Race- 11 countries in 11 months!!!! In July I will be leaving for 11 months to Ireland, Ukraine, Romania, India, Napal, South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique, Thailand, Cambodia, and Taiwan.
God has definitely opened doors for me. My family has been so supportive! I'm moving back 'home' after nine years of being on my own! I am so excited for the opportunity to bond with my parents before I leave. I am selling my earthly possessions; which is such a freeing opportunity! I am saving and raising money, which is very hard for me. I am a very independent person and have trouble asking for help; financially or otherwise, but I know this is what God has planned for me and I will stop at nothing to achieve His plan for my life.
I am so excited for the next ten months before I leave. I will be growing in so many ways! God has already started to stretch who I am. I can't even begin to imagine what the following eleven will be like! I will be dirty, stinky, and poor; in return I will be growing immensely, loving the "un-lovable," and sharing God's love in ways some have never seen. I will be witnessing to other religions, rocking babies who are never held, building churches and schools where the Gospel is just being shared, teaching English, doing VBS, and becoming friends with "the least of these."
Never questions God's plan for your life that does not match your plan! His is so much better!
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans
to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11
Never fear! A concept all through His word, yet the hardest for me to grasp!
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid;
do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Isaiah 40:28-29
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 (Chelsea's favorite!)
Love God. Love People. Serve God. Serve People.