We were asked to write a blog about how we were called to this mission trip. Here is my story…
I can remember listening to a member of the Traveling Team talk about how God called her to serve. For the most part of my life I had this negative attitude towards doing mission work overseas. I felt like America has a large need for missionaries and what right do I have to go to another country if we need help here. Then I felt God tugging at my heart and the opportunity for serving in China came up. I walked out on faith and signed up for teaching English in China. For six weeks I worked at an English Camp and grew strong relationships with the people of that small town. God blessed our team to witness 8 girls give their hearts to Jesus Christ.
When I returned from China I had a strong passion to be around internationals. At Campbellsville University I was blesed to be able to assist many International residents. I grew close to people of Mongolia, Taiwan, China and Kenya and even became best friends to a girl from Japan. I knew then that God was calling me to serve Internationally.
After graduation I accepted a job in Eastern Kentucky at a boarding school, Oneida Baptist Institute. At Oneida I was blessed to be the English as a Second Language teacher. I learned the culture of students from Ethiopia, Nigeria, Sierre Leonne, China, Korea, Japan, Thailand, Mongolia, and many other countries.
After working at OBI for 1 1/2 years I felt a tug on my heart again that it was time to go. And I went far away to Ethiopia. I served the people of Addis Ababa and Debre Zeyit for 3 months. I felt at home in Ethiopia and was able to be invited into the homes of many of my former students.
Upon my return to the States I knew for sure that God was calling me to be a full-time missionary. I didn’t know where to begin so I just continued to do what I’ve always done: teach and tutor. I’ve met many wonderful students from Mexico and Kosovo.
One day I was up late on Facebook as usual, uploading pictures and I saw an advertisement for a World Race. I immediately clicked on the the link and read all about the World Race. I read up on Adventures in Missions and realized that this organization was the one I am supposed to go through.
What helps me know this mission is right, is I have had a few people tell me it is time for me to “settle down” and “get a real job” and I am confident in knowing “settling down” is not what God is telling me to do. I know that I am to travel and tell all about God’s goodness and the World Race is who I am to travel with.
