About 3 weeks ago, I committed to an 11-month long mission trip called the World Race which will start in January 2015. Since then, I have told a few people, but have been avoiding the writing of this support letter. I hate asking for things, especially when money is involved. But this is so much bigger than me, so in humility, here’s my heart.
I have always known at some point I would go on a long-term mission trip. The longest I have been overseas was 5 weeks in Africa. I’ve also been on short-term trips to Romania, El Salvador, and Haiti which have all left me longing for more. I have a desire to be immersed in a different culture. A desire for God to use me to meet needs of those so desperate and broken. To be taken away from the distractions and selfish desires that our American culture fosters and isolate myself with Jesus and people in need. The times in my life that I have felt most alive have been on the mission field.
I was listening to a sermon a couple days ago that brought to light a scripture in a way I hadn’t seen before. John 4 tells the story of the Samaritan woman at the well. After her encounter with Jesus, her life was changed. Following that, Jesus met his disciples who had gone into town to get him food (v. 8). When they urged him to eat, he told them he had food they did not know about (v. 32). “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work” (v. 34). That is how I feel about the World Race; my soul needs it. Just as food is a necessity for our life, so is doing God’s will. This is so much more than me wanting an adventure before I get settled down in life. Yes, it will be a great experience traveling the world and many great memories will be made, I’m sure. But spiritually for me, this is a non-negotiable next step for my life and I am praying for a team of people to be a part of this journey with me. I need prayers. I need encouragement and wisdom. And I need financial support. In faith, I believe that just as God has called me to physically serve on mission field, he has called a team of people to be a part of this mission too. We all play different roles in the Kingdom of God, and throughout life these roles may change several times. Right now, I’m being called to go. So from prayers to encouragement to financial support, thank you for joining me on this journey.
