We were asked to write about how we were called to the mission field…well here is my story. To set the stage, I feel like the picture above accurately portrays my perspective on the world: cloudy, unfocused, and unaware.
In the early months of 2008 right after graduating from Liberty, I felt perplexed. I mean I really felt like “well I got a college degree…now what?” For some reason I felt an urge to go on a missions trip…if not multiple ones. I starting joking with my roomates about how awesome it would be to lead short-term missions trips throughout the year for different churches. (quick insert…I had never been on a missions trip, nor left the country) Shortly after me sharing this idea with my roomates, I found the world race website.
I was googling missions trips, and found AIM, and then the WR. I was blown away by the idea of such a missions trip. I read and clicked everything I could to learn more about this trip that night. I began to read blogs from other world racers. Excitement filled my soul, and it would not cease.
I prayed for about a month before ever applying. I asked God if He wanted me to do this. I asked Him to remove my excitement if this wasn’t what He wanted for me. During that month, my passion, excitement, and desire increased.
Meanwhile, my friend, Buddy Waddell, casually invited me to come to Guatemala with him in May 08. Buddy’s parents are full-time missionaries and house parents for 11 orphans and their own 4 children. They also run a elementary school, host short-term missions, and do village ministry. I was stoked, and we began to make plans for me and two friends to go down for 16 days. While raising support for Guatemala, I was accepted for the World Race. God truly used my trip to Guatemala to ignite even more passion and excitement for the poor, the broken, and the fatherless.
So here I am…weak and feeble masked by strength and security. I have surely done plenty to deserve hell for all eternity, but the Lord Jesus Christ is so good. His grace and His blood have cleansed me. His strength, His power, His comfort, and His Joy will surely sustain me. It blows my mind that He would give me such an amazing opportunity to see the world as He sees it, to experience life above and beyond, and to grow in intimacy with Him.
May I see the world as Christ does. May I be aware of those that are hurting and desperate. May I show compassion like Jesus. May I be obedient to His Holy Spirit that truly LIVES in me!!!
May He open my eyes, remove the fog of my life, and allow me to see!
