Hey everybody! So first thing you guys should all know about me is blogging isn’t my strong suit so bear with me on this one. Also, nobody told me I have to be formal so we are going to be super un-formal and relaxed on this blog page. 🙂
For those of you who don’t know, I’ve decided to do something with my life that some might consider crazy. It’s called Gap Year. I’m going to be leaving the comfort of my home and my country for 9 months. Yes, 9 months!! I will be going on a long-term mission trip to South Africa, Europe, and the Philippines (3 months in each country).
But why Nick, why would you do that?
Well it’s simple! I’m doing it because I feel that God has called me to do it, and man would I be crazy not to do what God called me to do!
But there is need right here in America Nick! Why do you have to leave the country?
There is need in America, both spiritual and physical! But there is a lot of need outside of this country too, and I will have the rest of my life to do what I can to help people here at home. Actually, here’s a cool verse that helps explain the heart of what I’m doing!
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the Earth,” (Acts 1:8).
Also, I found some interesting information while searching the web today! Did you know that if your family’s income is greater then $10,000 a year you are richer then 84% of the world? and if it’s greater then $50,000 a year then you are richer then 99% of the world! (Here’s my source just incase any of my high school English teachers are reading)
http://www.oregonlive.com/hovde/index.ssf/2012/08/income_in_perspective_americas.html
So seeing that I’m filthy stinkin’ rich compared to the rest of the world, I’m further convinced that I need to do this. Not only for all of the people that I will come in contact with on this trip but for myself too. This trip gives me the ability to live life like the majority of our world does. I will have less and I will work more but in the end I will have become less and He will have become more and that’s the only thing that truly matters in the end.
I’ve been spoiled my whole life. I get food whenever I’m hungry, I have clean water whenever I need it, I have video games for when I’m bored, (heck! I have electricity to power my video games! and a roof over my head to protect me from the weather while I play them!) and I have a soft cozy bed with fluffy blankets and awesome pillows (PS my bed is tempurpedic, just thought that was important to share). But don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining, I’m insanely thankful for all I have! (and not just because Thanksgiving was last week). I just feel that I have so much that I can help give to people who aren’t as lucky as I am. In fact, I wanted to do more then just give, I wanted to go.
Furthermore, this trip will give me the opportunity to be humbled. It’s one thing to hear about how poor the rest of the world is but it’s another thing to go live with them; to do life with them. I firmly believe God has put this desire in my heart, the desire to be his witness to the ends of the Earth.
Hey Nick, one last question, what exactly are you going to be doing there?
I’m going to be doing a whole range of things! I won’t know specifics until closer to the launch of my trip (which is in August) but I can tell you things that I most likely will be doing! I will be bringing a positive and loving attitude with my awesome team to places that need it. We will be caring for orphans and shining the love of Christ in places that have no light. We will be doing construction and helping out whoever however depending on what their needs are. Finally we will be evangelizing. We will share what God has done in our lives and what he can do in their lives. How he can bring them hope and how he loves them as his children. Here’s a video from the world race (which is similar to Gap Year except it’s 11 countries in 11 months instead of 3 countries in 9) that will help show what the journey will be like!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiYUDhkLpTw
Thank you for reading this post! It means a lot that you took the time out of your day just to see what’s going on in my life, even if I don’t know you!! Keep following my blog and I’ll keep you guys posted on how Gap Year is going! If you want to be a part of this journey and if you feel that God is calling you to help send me then you can make a donation! Just click the support me link at the top right!
Love you guys and best wishes! Have a wonderful day 🙂
