How I Was Called to the Mission Field

We were asked to write a blog about how we were called on this mission trip. Here is my story…

Missions on my Heart:  Ever since I was in 8^th grade, there has been a whisper in my
heart for missions work. When I was
14, I went on a mission trip to Mexico and began to sense the deep need for
love and service across the nations. It was there I got to see a glimpse into some
of the amazing work that can be done through missions! I especially cherished loving
on the kids. Although many memories from that trip have faded, the faces of the
kids we played soccer with and worked with, still linger in my mind. There was
just something so touching about these little souls; they had so little, but
their joy was boundless. Even through my most selfish times, through all the
years of pursuing my own personal athletic and academic goals, that whisper
remained.

Road to the World
Race: When I graduated
from college in 2007, I knew that God was calling me to do something, but for
the first 18 months or so, I had no idea what that would be. I continued to
have an increasingly strong desire for missions work, especially in a foreign
country. I began to question what the rest of this life He’s given me would hold and slowly
started getting back to my roots. I am driven by purpose, so I asked the Lord,
“What is my sole purpose here?” His answer was “to further my kingdom”. Ok, so
how do I do that Lord? I realized immediately that I could not further His
kingdom when I was so wrapped up in my own! Ouch… the truth often hurts; but
this was my wake-up call. Throughout this time my soul began to rumble for so
much stuff that’d gradually been growing in my heart. I knew that God was
calling me to step out of my comfort zone and do something RADICAL, but I
wasn’t sure exactly what that would be.

I began looking
into different mission opportunities through various churches and programs, but
none seemed to be quite right for what was on my heart. I wasn’t looking to go
on a trip and come home feeling more thankful or better about myself. I
felt the Lord was calling me to something more, something deeper. I was scared
of where this may lead but something in me continued dreaming these wild
dreams. I wanted to find a way to make a difference and have a lasting impact
for His kingdom. Then, one day in January 2009, I found the World Race, or you
could say, it found me. At first I couldn’t help but laugh. I thought, you’ve
got to be kidding me, God you must be getting a kick out of this. Most who know
me, know my tendencies to cling to structure, organization, routines, and clean tidy
ways. Sure I like adventure, love it but a lifestyle of adventure for a year…. SCARY! Deep down, I knew immediately
that this is what the Lord wanted me to do. It was exactly what I knew I needed to pursue in order to truly follow his will for my life. I still just smile when I think
of how perfectly he knows me inside and out, better than I know myself. He did create me after all! Not
long after, I was visiting a church and received a very clear message that
I was to pursue this opportunity. I knew this was God’s will for the next year
of my life. Then of course, satan got to work and the doubts set in: am I
really worthy enough, am I spiritually ready, how can I take a year out of my
life, I can’t possibly raise that kind of money, I’ll miss my family too much,
etc. etc. It was very overwhelming and for a month, I kept pushing it to the back of my mind. But then I slowly began the process of trusting Him. I began
to seek wisdom and counsel from those close to me. I knew it was what the Lord
wanted for me, and gradually one by one, the Lord knocked down each and every
roadblock I put up.