“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” Luke 10:2
It is official! God called, I prayed, God called again, I prayed some more, God called loudly, I said, “Wow, are you sure, God?? Yes, send me!”
In July 2014 I will be leaving for the World Race! During this journey I will visit 11 different countries in 11 months. The World Race is organized through Adventures in Missions. It will be an intense trip….both physically and mentally. Each month will be different but I do know that my team and I will serve those in need by partnering with local churches and ministries to work with orphanages, plant churches, minister to women and children trapped in prostitution as a result of human trafficking, teaching English, and most importantly….bringing the Gospel of Jesus to the people around the world. I and my team will be traveling to Albania, Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, South Africa, Swaziland, Botswana, India, Nepal, Mongolia, and China.
I surrendered my life to the Lord about a year ago. At that time, I really didn’t know all the changes that would occur throughout the next year but I did know I was tired of the lifestyle I had lived for the past 10 years. Over the past year, the Lord has gradually been revealing to me His next step for my life.
After I returned home from my first mission trip to Africa in June 2013, I told God that I would do whatever He wants me to do with my life. I soon after signed up for my second mission trip that departs in December 2013. I originally had planned to go back to East Africa but my plans changed and I am now going to Haiti. I discovered the World Race about a year ago and God has not let this adventure leave my mind. The 1-2 week mission trips are great but God kept revealing that there was something more. I had dreams of the World Race, I’ve had friends of friends go on the World Race but I just didn’t think it was a good fit for me. However, God’s plan is always bigger. During prayer on many different occasions, I kept asking God if He was asking me to go on the World Race. Well, God literally spoke to me in a dream I had about 2 months ago. I’ve never heard Him speak so clearly. It was truly amazing. God told me to GO and that He will be with me til the end. I applied for the World Race the next day. I had a phone interview 2 days later and 2 weeks later I got the call that I had been accepted to the World Race, Route 2!
So, after much prayer, tears, brokenness, and obedience I know that God’s plan for my life short-term at least…is to embark on this wonderful, life changing adventure. Will I be giving up my comfort and wordly ways? Yes. Will I be living out of a backpack for a year without a bed? Yes. Will I be quitting my job? No. I will be taking a sabbatical for 1 year. This adventure is no doubt going to be one of the hardest thing I have ever gone through, but also the most rewarding. I won’t be here for the holidays next year and I will miss one of my best friends wedding. I will miss my family and my dogs more than words can say, my friends, the lake, and my bed. I’m taking myself out of an extremely comfortable life and my world will be turned upside down.
“….let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of faith.” Hebrews 12: 1-2
