We were asked to write a blog about how we were called to this mission trip. Here is my story…
“Mission field? Who…me?” Broken, hopeless, depressed, fearful and dark described my life 3 years ago. To think that God had a plan to not only give me a new life, but to use my life to glorify Him was unimaginable. I was bound to alcohol and nothing I did to try and stop drinking lasted very long. It was only a matter of time until I would start drinking again. At my lowest point I was finally ready to surrender my whole life to God, even alcohol. I knew that everything I had tried had failed and that He was the only one who could help me. I didn’t know it then, but that night is when Jesus set me free! 
I started going to a Christ-centered 12 Step program, Celebrate Recovery, at a nearby church. I found so much healing through this group and began to let Christ’s love and grace fill the deepest holes in my heart. I finally was experiencing what I had been taught growing up in church, a personal relationship with God. As my relationship with Jesus deepened I wanted to start going to church again. I had felt for so long that I had been running from God, and it was so great to want to run back to Him. I started attending the young adults service at the church I had gone to as a child and throughout high school.
In the summer of 2008, I went with a small group of 4 other women to Jordan on a mission trip for 2 weeks. We traveled to different churches throughout Jordan equipping and encouraging the women there through various presentations. We held a conference where I was able to share my testimony and how God can use our brokenness to draw us closer to Him. I was also able to give a nutrition presentation and food demonstration in Aqaba, Jordan. God really opened my eyes to the rest of the world and how big He is while I was in Jordan. He showed me how He has transformed my life and given me the desire to share this transforming power and eternal life through Jesus with those who don’t know Him.
Nutrition presentation and food demonstration in Jordan.
In the fall of 2008, I had the opportunity to go to Antigua, Guatemala for 2 months to study Spanish. While I was in Guatemala I met a team from the World Race. I thought that the World Race sounded great, but that it wasn’t something for me. I returned home to Arizona the end of October. My grandpa had unexpectedly passed away and a few weeks later my uncle also passed away. This was a really difficult time for me. I had to feel sad emotions and grieve, without having alcohol to numb my feelings. I knew that God was there, but I found it difficult to draw near to Him. God is so faithful though! Despite how I was feeling He was with me to carry me through this time.
In December, one of the leaders who went on a different mission trip to Jordan asked me if I would be interested in going back to Jordan. I was so excited and immediately said yes! I had been praying about where God would have me serve this summer and it seemed as though this was the door He was opening. The early planning stages of this trip were underway. However, we found out that many of the workers that our team would be serving alongside were going to be back in the U.S. over the summer. I was disappointed that this mission trip wasn’t going to work out, but I knew that God had a plan. I continued to pray about where He would have me serve. I was willing to go wherever He called me, I just needed Him to lead the way and guide me on where to go.
A few days later, I remembered the World Race team and decided to check out their website. Typical Chelsea would have read and researched everything before even thinking of applying. Not this night…I found myself filling out the application online and with a couple of clicks of the mouse, my application was sent in and my references were being contacted via e-mail. Each step of the process seemed to go very smoothly and quickly.
So here I am today, only a few weeks later, and a part of the October 2009 World Race Team! I am so excited that God has given me this opportunity. My greatest desire is to live my life for Him. I can’t wait to see what He has in store!
