I've always been a people person.
I truly believe God has blessed me with the gift of mercy.
I've always been able to walk in the shoes of others,
in attempt to understand their personal struggles.
During my teenage years I used to think about joining the Peace Corps.
Seemed like something I would love to do, but I just didn't think I could, so I let it go.
I remember watching late night infomercials asking for donations to feed families
in third world countries, and I remember my heart breaking for those people.
With an empty pocket, all I had to offer was my love, but it didn't seem like enough.
How could I help? I just didn't think I could, so I let it go.
It wasn't until last year that I really understood missions.
I remember talking to a girl from church who is a missionary.
She told me the steps I could take if I wanted to go.
I was drawn to help, but I just didn't think I could, so I let it go.
The enemy told me I was too uneducated, too broke, and not Christian enough.
That loving these people wasn't enough. That I wasn't enough.
But guess what? The enemy LIED.
In February, I went to a youth conference (Winterfest) in Rochester, NY.
Winterfest is a 3 day conference, so we stayed in a hotel for the weekend.
There were about 20 of us in my church group.
I'm a little old to be going to Winterfest,
but I was interested in seeing God move amongst these kids.
I had no idea God had a plan for me.
One of the speakers was talking about a trip he took to Africa.
He talked about a little boy that stole his heart.
A boy who had nothing, but was so happy with what he did have.
A boy whose Mother wanted nothing to do with him,
so he did well in school in hopes that she would change her mind.
My heart broke for this little boy, literally. I was sobbing.
That's when God brought back my desire for missions.
When I got home, I googled missions trips.
My hopes weren't very high in finding one I could be a part of
because I just didn't think I could.
But God told me not to let go.
That's when I stumbled on the World Race.
I knew from the first click that I wanted to be a part of this trip.
I showed everyone in the room the website, in excitement.
I wrote down the January route numbers on a piece of paper, and put them in a hat.
I drew Route 4, applied, and the ball started rolling for me.
The Saturday before I got the acceptance call, two women prophesied over me.
They had no idea who I was or that I was applying for the World Race.
They told me that I had a joy in me. The joy of the Lord.
They told me that God put it there and has let it grow.
They told me that there would be people around me in a desert, in deep despair.
They told me that these people needed a healing.
They told me that the healing was the joy.
So, that's what I'm going to bring them. The love and joy of the Lord.
