So I have less then a week before I leave for the greatest calling the Lord has laid on my life; 11 countries in 11 months, sharing the Gospel and love of Jesus! And as my time to depart comes quicker then I'd ever imagine, many family and friends have been asking questions of how I am taking in all of this. So I have decided to stitch together a list of Frequently Asked Questions so you can know what it's like to be a soon-to-be World Race missionary! Hope you enjoy!
I've gotten this question multiple times; quite frankly, I'm lost for words. There will be times where I'm sitting at work and I get overwhelmed and try not to freak out because it has just hit me that I'm leaving. My eyes begin to swell up with tears and I quickly walk away from my desk freaking out. There are also other times (thinking about fundraising) where I'm completely bummed and my heart gets cold and pessimistic. But for the most part, I'm completely in awe and so excited. When I read other missionary blogs about their Race and see what God is doing and see the people they are serving and loving on, it makes me want to leave that very moment and hug the orphans and bring a smile to the indigenous elderly and preach the Gospel on the corner of the village market. I'm so excited and so humbled that God would send me to be His hands and feet in this world.
What country are you most excited for?
All of them really! I'm really excited for El Salvador because my dad was born there and knowing his testimony and what he went through to get to where he's at now, it makes me want to go and bring hope to that nation and her people. I'm also really looking forward to go to Uganda. That country has always been in my heart through friends who've been there and all of the awesome stories they've told me. Australia and the Asian countries are other nations I'm excited to serve too! It's way too hard to just pick one country! I'm excited for all of them!
Where are you staying in each country?
Hostiles, on the floor of the local church, the pastor's house, anywhere we can get a place to stay! It really depends on what country we are in and where they are having us. We as a whole squad fly/drive into the country together, but when we get there we are split up throughout the nation with our teams of 6-8 and then serve where we are needed most. So subscribe to my blog and find out with me what I am called to do and where I will be staying at!
You would think spiders or illness or safety would be up there in my fears with us going into hostile, often dangerous countries. But I think my biggest fear is going to a nation and not showing them the Gospel of Jesus. Yes, humanitarian work needs to be done, and we are doing it for sure! We are called to be agents of reconciliation as a Church. But also with that we bring the good news of Jesus. My fear would be not loving on people like Jesus would want me to. I want to show the nations where true love and hope and peace reside in, and that can only be found in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. That and honestly, not getting enough funds for my trip. My fear is having to leave early because of financial reasons. I'd be heartbroken!!
What are you not looking forward to?
Traveling. Spending 10-20 hours in a crowded bus, on a plane, in a taxi, wherever, doesn't sound appealing to me. I'm already bummed about being in a plane for more then half a day, or sitting in a 20 person bus with 40 people in it. I'm gonna need the Spirit to sustain me, hahaha.
I'm praying that people, with seeing what God is doing and seeing where funds are going, would come together as a Church body and help bring the Gospel to the nations through financial contributions. Many people have been absolutely amazing and graciously have sown into this calling and have gotten me overseas. Now comes keeping me there. Spread the word, share my stories, and contribute financially is the most tangible way of showing your support. It's as simple as donating online through the links posted on my home page, or sending a check to the Mission headquarters:
Adventures in Missions
PO Box 534470
Atlanta, GA 30353-4470
(*Please make sure you mention that the donation is for me.)
For ministry purposes, I can't wait to teach and preach the Gospel. Something about standing at a revival or a street corner or in a brothel and preaching the Word of God seems so appealing to me, haha. And not just preach the Gospel, but to teach the vast mysteries and beauty of the Gospel as well. I'm also looking forward to playing with the kids! Soccer, wrestling, tag, dancing, painting, teaching English, it's gonna be so freaking fun!
Non-ministry wise, just traveling and being able to be in awe of God's majesty through the many places I will be able to go. I'm really looking forward to just be able to see the world and see the greatness of God, dive into the culture and eat the AMAZING food!
Pray for me. God will not only be working through me, but in me. I know there are a lot of painful nights ahead, where the Lord will be doing a lot of pruning and refining in my heart. I'm praying for that. I'm praying God will let me suffer the flesh so I may be more like Christ. Pray for my team and the people of the nations. Keep us in your hearts. Please please please consider contributing to our mission trip. I say "our" because ultimately I only play the role of going; the Church, you, are the senders. I want you to take up your calling and come alongside in what God is doing throughout the whole world and be part of something bigger then yourself!
Besides the super duper obvious like family and friends and my church, I'm really just gonna miss the every day stuff. Being able to eat just about anything I like, going to the bathroom in something other then a whole in the ground, hot showers, Netflix, the little things we take for granted as Americans. And Chick-Fil-A!!
My old self and how I came on this trip! Definitely going to love how God will change me on this journey. I am definitely not gonna miss who I was and I am completely embracing who God is calling me to be and am so stoked with how He will change me through this trip!
If you could describe in one word why you are going and what has motivated you to do this, what would that word be?
Not a word, but a name: Jesus.
