In January of 2014, I attended a conference in Atlanta, GA called PASSION. While many of the speakers shared what God had laid upon their hearts, God laid something upon mine. It was while attending this conference that I felt God tug at heart and call me to mission work. Not knowing what that would look like or how to even begin, I stood where I was sitting in full commitment to God I would see this through. After graduating college and ending up back in Memphis, TN (my hometown), I grew bitter and confused with where God had placed me. While thankful for Him providing me a job, it was not in my field of study nor a mission position. Or so I thought. God began teaching me that mission work starts wherever He has you whether at home, work, school or another country. By the end of Feburary 2015, I began fully understanding the mission-mind God was trying to instill in me. Randomly, one day I surfed the internet for “traveling missionaries” and the World Race website came up in my options. As I read through the information ad testimonies, I felt this overwhelming and calming peace move over me. I will never forget it. Although I prayed night after night on my decision to apply, I believe I knew the moment the Holy Spirit swept over me while reading the routes that this is what my furture was going to hold.
When you start seeing doors opened by God Almighty, it is a true sense of awe and wonderment. As I was deciding on applyling, I asked for prayer in my life group at church (Bible study class). No sooner as I could get the details out, the new, young, adult, single man in the room spoke up – “I’ve been on the World Race. It was awesome. You should totally do it.” It was like God hit me with a waterballoon in the face. As I shared my new calling and future with those around me, I received nothing but support. I couldn’t be more sure, however at times I doubt my abilities to make it through. Thankfully, those are the times the Holy Spirit swoops in, I get into the Word and prayer, and reassurance falls over me.
I can not wait to start this adventure with God. I look forward to all He will teach me and the ways He will use me. While I never imagined living out of a backpack for 11 months, I know this is going to be the experiance that leads me to a more personal and in-touch relationship with the Lord. This calling will and is changing my life. I can not wait.
