I have been getting asked this question for several years now. As I was getting ready to graduate high school, this question was tossed around a lot. All throughout college and especially as I was about to finally graduate, I felt like it was being yelled at me. And now, all throughout the race, this question was brought up every time I met someone new. I even started asking myself this question.
“What are you going to do after this?” or my personal favorite way of asking, “What are you doing with your life?”
Something that I’ve always struggled with was my identity. I never really knew who I was or what I wanted to do with my life. That’s one of the main reasons why I would shut down every time this question was being directed towards me.
In college, I bounced around from major to major because of my indecisiveness. I started out wanting to be an art teacher. When I realized that I hated public speaking, I shut down again and changed my major. Next up was math. I’ve always loved numbers and loved the idea of using this degree to open up my own boutique. That was until one of my professors made me dislike math and I didn’t want to continue anymore. I shut down again. Thus came another major change. I finally stuck, and actually graduated, with a major in psychology, even though I never knew what I wanted to do.
One of this biggest things I’ve learned on the Race this past year was who I am and who the Lord has made me to be. He has reminded me that no matter what I thought about myself, he has made me exactly as he wanted to. He didn’t make a mistake when he designed me. And even though I didn’t know what I was going to do with my life, he did.
“Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you; A prophet to the nations, that’s what I had in mind for you.” Jeremiah 1:5
In El Salvador, the Lord gave me a vision of what life was going to look like when I returned home from the Race. He told me that he wanted me to head up a missions department in the church. And you know what I did? Laughed. There’s no way I could ever lead people in that way… But over the course of the next month, the Lord showed me that I am in fact a leader because that’s who he made me to be.
In Honduras, the Lord gave me my spiritual dream. He reminded me of all the things I wanted to do when I was in college and trying out different majors. He revealed to me that they were still on my heart but they didn’t work out then because of his plan. These plans were not going to be used to further his kingdom in the way he designed me to do so.
Spiritual dream:
1. Head up a missions department in the church and take out teams to the nations.
2. Take these teams to places where we can build long-term relationships with the local people there.
3. Open up a small boutique and sell items from these locals in order to help them support their families and community
In Guatemala, the Lord opened the doors for me to take the first step in order for this spiritual dream to come alive.
So what am I doing after the Race? What am I doing with my life?
I am ecstatic to announce that I have been accepted into a second year program through Adventures in Missions come this October! I will be moving down to Gainesville, Georgia for 5 months to attend CGA [Center for Global Action] and I will be in the field leadership-training program. During my time there, I will be taking classes to learn how to develop character and ability to lead others, specifically how to lead on the missions field.
This next season is essential for me not only as I start this journey of chasing after my spiritual dream, but as I continue to live my life for Christ on the mission field, whether that be at home or on the other side of the world.
As I enter this next season, the Lord has showed me that I’m not done fundraising. In order to attend CGA, I need to raise $6,000. These funds will cover the costs of housing and the actual program. While people might be hesitant to donate because this is not an actual missions trip, I kindly ask you to pray about it. CGA and what I learn through this season has the potential to have a bigger impact that me just going on the field. By going through this program, I will gain the knowledge and confidence to lead others onto the field. Would you prayerfully consider partnering with me on this next season of my life that the Lord has called me to?
Thank you for loving and supporting me so well on this journey and I can’t wait to continue sharing this next journey with you all!
