2.15.17: ””Lead” He whispered to me over and over again. “Are you sure, God?” I replied. And of course… He was sure. In a handful of gentle and miraculous ways He told me so, until I was too. So with trust and obedience and a heart full of mustard seeds, this June I’ll be adventuring across the oceans again. “Go” He called to me like always, this time not just to follow Him, but to lead His faithful servants. With all the courage my heart can give, I’ve been entrusted to lead a group of college students to the other side of the world, discipling and serving along side them as they learn more about the Fathers heart, grow in love for His people, and discover who He has made them to be. Somebody pinch me and pray for me! Jesus, you are too sweet to this wandering soul of mine. Lead me as I lead them.”
Since I was a freshman in high school The Lord has placed a call on my heart for the Nations. Pumping effortlessly through my veins is a love for God and his people all over the globe, specifically the “least of these.” Equally a part of me is the joy I find in encouraging and pouring into other believers, and having the privilege to hear their stories and share life with them. Having those two passions collide by leading a mission trip has always been something I’ve hoped for, and this summer it will become a reality as I travel to Romania and Bulgaria.
The journey up until this point has been long and full of many twists and turns, but looking back I can see The Lord’s faithfulness through it all and that everything was a part of His perfect plan. It goes something like this… right after I graduated high school I went on The World Race Gap Year, a nine month mission trip to three different countries. Although that year was challenging in many ways, I always knew I was right where God wanted me, and my love for international missions only grew. Upon my return I was anticipating going to college, but that door closed a little unexpectedly and as always, another door opened. After only 3 months of being back in the US, I said goodbye again and went on a Passport trip with Adventure In Missions to Thailand and Cambodia. Those three months were some of the best of my life, specifically because of the eight incredible girls I got to grow and serve with, as well as because of my selfless leader who discipled us all so well. Because of the impact that season had on my life, I knew someday I wanted to lead an AIM trip, believing that somehow God could use me and my story to help disciple young believers on the same journey. But as it often does, life got the best of that dream and before I knew it leading was only an after thought to school and work. Fast forward to this past December when I found myself in Shell, Ecuador. I had traveled there by myself to serve with a missionary family who does outreach in the jungle, but Jesus had bigger plans and allowed my path to cross with a World Race Gap Year team. Not only did our paths cross, but I actually lived and served alongside them for the three weeks I was there. I enjoyed my time in Ecuador and knew that God had led me there for a reason, specifically so I could have the opportunity to serve with, pour into, and be encouraged by the Racers who were in the same place I had been over a year ago. And with that, the little whisper in my heart to lead turned into joyful urgency. So here I am, just 50 days away from leading eight college-aged girls to Eastern Europe to go and make disciples of all the Nations.
On June 3rd, after a few days of training, my team and I will be traveling to Bulgaria to reach the city of Dupnista with the Gospel. While there, our ministry will involve partnering with the local church to do kids ministry, English lessons, street evangelism, house visits, and church services. After a month in Bulgaria we will move on to Romania, where our ministry will be much the same. Ultimately, our ministry vision is to bring the the Hope of Jesus Christ to the people we will encounter. As a leader, my mission is to lead my team logistically, enable them to communicate the gospel effectively through their ministry, challenge and encourage them as they grow in their relationships with Christ and each other, and serve them the best I can. To think that I was chosen to hold this responsibility continually humbles and amazes me. I can only pray that The Lord would do immeasurably more through me and my team as we follow Him.
Behind every person who answers “Yes” to the Fathers call to “Go,” are the people who faithfully and diligently give of their prayers and finances to make it possible. Ultimately, I ask whoever is reading this to pray that The Lord would go before us and prepare the hearts that we will come in contact with. Pray for the eight girls on my team as they raise funds and more importantly as they take this step of faith and spend their summers following the Lord’s call. As for me and my co-leader, please be praying that we will continue to faithfully follow the Father as we lead our team through His strength alone.
Along with being supported through your prayers and encouragement, I need the support of my friends and families financially. In order to leave in June I need to raise $2,000 for the two months I will be there. That cost will cover all of my airfare and transportation, housing, and food. I know from my past trips that God always provides a way to go when He calls, so I am believing in faith that every penny will come through. Truly any amount helps and is the biggest blessing to me. If anyone feels led to give, you can do so via the fundraising link on my blog. Thank you thank you thank you!
Thank you to everyone who has believed in my, prayed for me, supported me, and encouraged me as I have been embarking on this journey with The Lord. I am truly overflowing with gratitude for the faithfulness of the Father and the people He has put in my life. I am SO excited for this adventure and all God has for me and my team!
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified. (Isaiah 61:1-3)
