I must be crazy. I must be out of my mind. What college graduate with a good job right out of college would ever think to leave everything she has, and live out of a tent for the next eleven months? That’s absurd.
In 2 Corinthians, many people thought that the Disciples were out of their mind, but their response to those people was, “that if we are out of our mind, we are out of our mind for the Lord, but if we are in our right mind, it is for human masters.” We are not called to serve Human masters (Galatians 1:10) we are called to serve the Lord, and at times, He will call us to do some radical things. And this, for me, is one of those times.
In the Bible, Jesus told his disciples to take up their crosses and follow him. My cross looks a lot like a backpack for this journey.
When I decided to go on this mission trip, I was originally supposed to leave in September, however, my trip got pushed back to January. Thinking that I was leaving as soon as the summer was over, I didn’t look for an apartment or a place to stay. Once I found out that I would be postponing my trip, any lease that I could have gotten would be too expensive, so I have been sleeping on peoples couches since August. This sounds crazy, and it is, but I’ve also never had to sleep in my car. The people I love, and who love me, have been so amazing in opening their homes to me. The Lord said “What you do to the least of these you have done to me.” To all the people who have opened their homes to me, may God bless you tremendously.
Another thing I was concerned about was work. Who’s going to hire someone who’s leaving in 3-4 months to be gone for a year? No one, or so I thought. The Lord will always provide. Let me say that again, the Lord will ALWAYS provide. Just a few weeks ago I was blessed with a job at a high school in Houston, teaching kids algebra. Who would have EVER thought that I would be doing that. And not only that, but they hired me knowing that I was leaving in January, so that I can still go on this mission trip. The Lord has pulled too many strings for me to let my pride get in the way now.
One of my biggest issues that I’ve struggled with over my lifetime is pride. Don’t let them see you down, don’t let them see you cry, and don’t ever ask anyone for help. You’re too independent for that. This has been one of the biggest struggles deceptions I’ve come to accept. I hate asking people for help, and even more than that I hate asking people to support me. The fact is that I am NOTHING without Christ and I can do NOTHING on my own. The Bible says, “If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” (Ecclesiastes 4:10) I’ve fallen too many times and have struggled to get back up on my own. I can’t do that any more. The Lord has put so many people in my life to help me through my times of need and that has shown true now more than ever. Even though it has been a struggle, I’ve had a roof over my head and food in my stomach. The Lord has watched over me thus far, and I KNOW that he will provide once again as he always does.
With that being said, I am putting my pride aside and now asking my friends and family for help. Even if it’s only $20, every little bit counts, and if we all come together, I know this mission trip will be possible.
