We were asked to write a blog about how we were called to this mission trip. Here is my story…
I was blessed to be raised in a Christian home, with very supportive, loving parents. They instilled in me and my brother strong, Christian values from a very young age. When I was in ninth grade I had my first mission trip opportunity to Reynosa, Mexico. I went with my high school youth group for one week. This week changed my life. I bonded with my group, experienced things I never had before and saw God’s love in a whole new way. It was there in Mexico that I saw how God transcends all languages and cultures. As the pastor prayed in Spanish over a family I begin to weep. I couldn’t control myself. God was there! He’s always been there and will forever be! I was so touched as I saw first hand God’s hope being shared with a mother and her children. It was in that moment that I saw how God had used a high school youth group for His greater glory and I knew I had been a part of something big. I returned to Reynosa three more times, each year experiencing more of God’s continued grace and His wonderful mercy!
When I started college I prayed for more opportunities to go places and serve, not knowing exactly to what capacity God would use me. During my freshmen year of college God had laid a burden for the city of New York on my heart. I was used to helping in poverty stricken villages of Mexico, so I knew that an inner city mission trip would be a whole new experience. So I applied for a college spring break mission trip to the NYC. I went with thirteen other college students, and again, my life was changed. I was stretched in many ways, working with the homeless and doing some different outreach programs throughout the week. God calmed many of my fears and showed me the importance of relying on Him.
He later gave me opportunities to travel to Puerto Rico and work with a camp there, while providing a VBS program for the children in the community. God has also given me opportunities to work with certain hurricane relief efforts for both Katrina and Ike–He has really cultivated a passion within me to work with people and give back.
The furthest and perhaps the most impactful missions opportunity God has given me was the one to Chennai, India in 2008. Even today, I struggle for words to describe my experience in India. I felt like when Slumdog Millionaire came out I it gave people a glimpse of the India I saw and then people understood a little more about what I was trying to explain. My aunt and I traveled to India, where we stayed in an orphanage, Gilgal Gospel Mission, with 30 children. We were “esteemed guests” and therefore were given one of their only bedrooms. Each day I woke to children peering in our window, waiting for us to walk them to school. I would have three girls on each hand as we walked down the dirt covered streets to their school. It was pure joy to see those smiling faces and be able to play with the kids. I’m always reminded about “faith like a child” when I am given opportunities such as these.
I know that all these unique opportunities and experiences were God’s way of preparing me for the World Race. When I first heard about it in 2007 I honestly thought, “Man, I’d love to do that, but I’ll never be ready.” Well even though I don’t feel “ready” I have seen how God has prepared a way and that this is in His perfect plan. I’m thankful He uses us right where we are, jsut as we are. He has allowed certain things in my life to fall in to place in order for this to happen. Sometimes I lie awake at night and think, “God, really?! You want to use me?” I am so blessed by Him and all that He does in my life and I cannot wait to serve Him in this capacity!
