We were asked to write a blog about how we were called to this mission trip. So here’s my story…
First, a little history- Ever since I was a little girl, I believe I have had a heart for missions. I grew up with very missions minded parents. It was not unusual for us to have international friends over for dinner, and our family ate every night on map of the world placemats. You get the picture. I went on several mission trips in middle school and high school, and I believe the Lord continued to grow in me a heart for missions and service. When I got to college, that love for missions really started to translate into a love for the poor and a heart for social justice. I spent last summer in Argentina, and was reminded again of my love for missions and other cultures.
Fast forward to this fall- I got back from Argentina and returned to Clemson. I had had a great summer, but I was ready to be home. With the start of school came the constant reminders that I was graduating and the ever constant question of “What are you going to do with your life?” The truth was I had absolutely no idea. With lots of pressure from my professors, I started looking into graduate school. But after coming to the conclusion that I was not even completely sure what I would go to grad school for, I realized that probably wouldn’t be the smartest decision. So with that option gone, or at least on hold, I started considering other ideas. I had several ideas for what I could do, but no idea how to decide. One of the ideas in the back of my mind was the World Race, however; it was also the most far-fetched, impractical idea.
I had first come across the World Race last year while looking at mission trip options for the summer. Several people had mentioned Adventures in Missions to me, and I came across the World Race on the website. I was immediately intrigued by the idea, and put it in the back of my mind as an option for the future. However, when I thought about the idea this fall, it was honestly not one that I thought would ever happen. I had no idea how I could ever get that much money, and I definitely had my share of fears associated with the concept.
But the idea kept coming into my head. And I found myself spending hours on end reading every blog on the website and watching every video. Maybe it wasn’t so crazy after all. What if I could actually do this? I started praying seriously about the idea. One Saturday in particular, I just started praying that if God really wanted me to do this, that He would give me some sort of confirmation. I normally don’t pray for signs, but this time I did. I ended up going camping that night- basically on a whim, because it beat staying at home alone. Me and a friend, who I did not know all that well at the time, got separated from the group, and started talking about our futures, etc. Then, basically out of no where, she looked at me and said, “Have you ever heard of the world race?” My heart started racing. I think I got the confirmation I was looking for. I basically went home and applied.
After I got accepted to the trip, I will admit to you that I still needed a little convincing that God was actually calling ME to do this. I felt so inadequate and I had a lot of fears that I had to lay down one by one. However, in my heart I knew I was going to go, and not going never really felt like an option. But with every fear and hindrance that comes to mind, I have heard God gently say to me, as He said to Moses, “I will certainly be with you…” (Exodus 3:12). And I think that is all I need to know. So I took a deep breath, signed the scariest release form I have ever seen in my life, and committed to the adventure of a lifetime.
As I have began to prepare for this trip, God has continued to amaze me by the way He has opened doors. My family and friends have been so supportive, which is so important to me. After deciding to move home in the spring, I had to find someone to sublease my house in Clemson- something that everyone knows is impossible to find. The first girl I called said yes. Everything that has happened has continued to confirm in my heart that I am exactly where I am supposed to be. I am so excited to see what happens next!!
