This is a story I’ve been meaning to tell for quite sometime now.
When I started my relationship with Jesus, I knew He had planned for me to have a role in the church. It was this calling in my heart that I knew where my life and career would be headed no matter what I did. I never went deeper into that calling though. I told myself I was happy enough with that information but I never wanted to know more of the details about my calling. Was I scared?
I think so.. Maybe God was going to ask me to do something too crazy..
Hahaha..
Now look at me. I’m on this mission trip around the world. That is so crazy! I never thought I’d be doing something like this before.
BUT..
The World Race is just another stepping stone in my faith.
Apart of me thought that maybe I’d just stay a missionary for all my life after I got a taste of the World Race. Actually, as we went through month 1 of the World Race, I realized that there is no way I could do this my whole life.. Yes, it’s very rewarding and completely amazing! It’s something I’ll never forget for the rest of my life! But, now I know that I’m not called to fulltime missions.
So, my heart was searching. I was looking for my next calling in my life.
“What’s my purpose, God?”
I asked and cried out in prayer.
The Bible says, “ask.. and your shall recieve.”
I asked..
And God gave me an answer…
It’s month 2 of the World Race now. We are in Draganesti-olt, Romania. All squad month.
55 people under one roof.. but of course there isn’t enough beds so we men stayed in our tents.
We are almost to the end of the month. To be honest, the month felt a little spiritually dead.
I hadn’t really focused on my prayer life much and the last thing I remember praying about was my calling in my life. The reason why it was on my mind so much is because the first day our contact brought us to the church and asked, “What is your purpose in the Kingdom?”
I was a little caught off guard but I still managed to stumble over my words and say something like any Christian would that has ever been to a Sunday School class. It was shallow and had very little thought backing it up..
The month coming to a slow end.
I had been thinking about what I said on that first day.
“How could I still not know my true purpose in the Kingdom?”
A storm was expected to come in sometime in the night. I haven’t seen rain or a storm since I was at home. You know Oklahoma is notorious for their storms and tornados. So, like any other Oklahomie, I was pretty excited! I knew it would keep me from my hammock for the night but I had no clue what the night had in store for me.
I got in my tent, ready for the storm to come rolling in. I laid there hoping it would come before I fell asleep but I wasn’t fortunate enough for that. The wind howled and it pushed my tent back and forth with ease. Still no rain or thunder to sing me to sleep.
I woke in the middle of the night. Not to thunder or rain.. but to the lightning.
I looked at my watch to see what time it was. It read 4 a.m.
The lightning wasn’t what I was hoping for. The flashes of light were so bright that it made my whole tent light up. I tried to close my eyes in hoped that the rain and thunder would follow the lightning soon. I had no luck.
The lightning was increasing..
I rolled over thinking sleep would find me soon again. Nothing..
The lightning is getting brighter with every strike.
I felt like it was flashing only over me. I took a look outside my tent and saw nothing. Almost 10 seconds of no lightning..
“How is this possible?”
Back in my tent to sleep and there it is again. Flash after flash!
I started to get a little scared. I began to pray.. I asked God to protect us who where outside in the tents.
God – “Its all going to be okay. You’re safe.”
Me – “Okay, God. Thank You.”
Then I started to pray for the people in the town. The storm that was coming in seemed like it was going to be a big one. I prayed safety and protection over the people.
As I was praying over the town and the people in it, I felt God speak to me..
Me – “God.. Are you calling me to Romania…?”
I did not want to be called to Romania!! I was drawn to the place. I didn’t want to live there. And now I’m getting this feeling that God is breaking my heart over this town…
Me – “Ohhh no.. You better not be calling me here!”
God – “Cameron, are you willing to do whatever I ask of you?”
Me – “Yeaaahh.. But not here… Come on God…”
God – “Will you not follow My Will for your life?”
Me – “…You know I will… please, don’t bring me here…”
God – “Yes or no? Are you willing?”
… sigh…
Me – “Yes Lord. I will follow You no matter what… even to Romania.”
I could feel my heart to begin to trust God more. I know He has a plan for my life. Now, it seems as if Draganesti-olt, Romania is where I’ll be. This is going to be where He calls me.
God steps in and interupts my thoughts.
God – “Now that YOU know you are willing to follow me anywhere. Even to the places you don’t want to go or do the things you don’t want to do, I have something else for you..
I want you to Preach and Pastor, Cameron.
I needed you to have a willing heart. And now, that you are there, I have told you My true purpose in My Kingdom.”
Me – “Oh wow!!! Yes, Father! I accept Your calling. I’ll do it!”
There was this big sigh of relief over me knowing I wasn’t called to Romania. God used the last thing I would ever want to do to put my heart where it needed to be. So, I would be willing. Now, I know my calling in my life.
After I wrestled with with God over over my calling, I felt this peace come over me. Don’t forget that the lightning was still raging on outside.
But when I quit fighting with God, the lightning stopped.
Jesus entered into my tent.. His presense comforted me. My heart was calm.
PEACE..
I laid there starring at the ceiling of my tent in so much disbelief.
God just called me to preach and pastor… He woke me up at 4 a.m. to tell me His purpose for my life. How crazy is that? Did this really just happen?
Now Its time for Africa. Romania is over, my calling is clear, and my heart is willing.
One of my teammates, Khari, asked if she could call me out on my calling in my life.
Me – “Of course NOT! Haha I don’t think I’ll start preaching until I get back home. For now, I’m in a season of sitting back and learning what it looks like to preach and pastor.”
Boy, was I wrong..
I had prayed these things. I wanted to learn what it looks like to preach and pastor the way God wanted me to. I thought He would just make me a student of all the pastors I would come into contact with.. God had a different method of learning in store for me.
Day 1 of ministry in Malawi..
Our contact, Pastor Harvey Chawinga, said we would start off the month with a two day conference at his church with the local pastors, and we would be the ones bringing the message. We would teach over leadership and wives being submissive..
What?!
Why are we teaching the pastors how to be leaders? Are they the ones supposed to teach us that?
And we have to teach about wives being submissive to their husbands..?
I don’t have a wife.. let alone a girlfriend..
…
I guess I was wrong on how God was going to teach me about preaching.
I’m thrown into the lion’s den.
Welp, here we go..
The funny thing is, when you have nothing to say out of your own wisdom and understand, that gives God all the room to speak. When God speaks, He changes lives.
God used me that first day. I was the instrument, He was the Musician.
It went well… Maybe a little too good. Haha
I was completely out of my comfort zone.
That wasn’t the end of it…
EVERYDAY… We go to the villages all over Malawi, to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
Literally, 6 out of 7 days a week we preach.. I preach!
Not only once a day, but multiple times a day. I get up infront of crowds of Malawians, tell them about the love of Christ, and watch God change their hearts of stone to hearts of flesh.
I can’t tell you how many people I’ve had the opportunity to see come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.. And the healing! Person after person and sickness after sickness.. HEALED!
Our God is good!!
I thought I’d step into my calling when the World Race was over. I had no idea that God was going to have me start a week after He told me!
We still go everyday to preach and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
This is my calling! This is my life now!
Hahaha also, I told my contact, Pastor Harvey Chawinga, about how God called me to preach. Now he calls me, Pastor Cameron. It still catches me off guard sometimes, but I have a feeling I’ll be hearing that for the rest of my life.
Listen to the Lord. Follow His’ will.
You may never know where He’ll take you.
I hope this blog has found you well. God is doing mighty things in my life during this mission trip.
My next financial DEADLINE is in 10 days!
I need to raise $2,800 to continue on the World Race. Pray and consider donating. All donations are appreciated.
I love you all very much and your support doesn’t go unnoticed
🙂
