Giving up everything and leaving behind a “normal” life, for 11 months? Crazy? Insane? Difficult? Maybe, but I can think of nothing else. I’ve been called to participate in this mission trip of a lifetime, “The World Race” and spend 11 months proclaiming the gospel, spreading God’s love and serving “the least of these” in 11 different countries.
To me, this seems like the most natural decision. The most natural place to go. The most natural thing to do. Thinking of NOT doing this makes my heart and soul physically hurt, as if I am going against everything God has in store for me. Thinking of NOT going gives me anxiety because I know it is where I am supposed to be in January 2015. Why would I feel called to do this if it was not God inspired? I’m certainly not going away for a luxurious, all-expensive paid trip! Quite the opposite in fact! I’ll be living out of a back-pack for 11months, at times sleeping in a tent, not being able to shower even at times. But I don’t think about those things as negative. I think about them as part of the adventure that is ministry to those less fortunate then us.
When people say that they could never do something like this, or that they are so proud of me for going on a mission trip, I find it difficult to understand where they are truly coming from. For me, there is nothing more I want in life then to have the God-given opportunity to be a missionary, go on to the mission field and serve as Jesus did. When I went on my mission trip to Nicaragua, everyday felt purposeful and real, meaningful and God-inspired. I felt connected to life in a manner which is not possible in this technology and increasingly sex-based life of Canada.
I am going on this “world race” because, for me, it’s God’s plan. It’s not a way to “escape” my life here, it’s embracing the life I am meant to lead. Will it be difficult? Of course! Am I insane? Maybe in the eyes of some! Is this crazy? Not if you believe in the power of mission work and changing lives! I’m so excited that this journey has started for me, even if this is still the beginning work. I cannot wait to see what God has in store and I look forward to you joining me in this journey through this blog!!
