So for a little honest introduction…about me and to answer the question of why in the world would I want to live out of a backpack and sleeping bag for 11 months in some pretty hard and dangerous places around the globe. Well it all goes back to when I was 10 years old…(this is where you settle in for story time…so grab a blanket and cuddle up). Well when I was 10 years old I felt called that I was going to be a missionary and somehow work with orphans even if it was just financially. Back then I was freaked out about the prospect of being an actual missionary so I told God that I would be a short term missionary and go places for a year or less. Well God must have laughed and said…we’ll see little one, because over the years God started eliminating each and every one of the limits I put on him.
Some of the walls that comprised the box that I stuffed God into where my fears of leaving my family, possibly being hurt or killed on the mission field, and of course the fear that God would call me to be single all my life as a missionary. Slowly but surely God wrapped my heart in his hands and calmed all of my fears. I now take the perspective that I am thankful for the 18 wonderful years I had at home with my family before I went to college. I will always cherish those years with my family and will continue to cherish each time I have to privilege of coming home for a visit. It was about a year ago that I began to trust God fully for the safety and outcome of my life. When I read the Bible I realized that Jesus never called me to live a safe and comfy life where everything is secure. The more I started pondering what a life looked like when it is fully resigned to Jesus’ teachings I realized that included trusting him in the midst of possible dangerous situations on the mission field, because the Gospel message is worth risking my safety. Finally, God calmed my fears about never getting married. I realized that God said in Jeremiah 29:11 that he has a plan for my life. So God gave me peace to pursue what he was telling me to do which in this case it is serving orphans with my life. If that plan one days includes the blessing of a husband to serve with then what a joy, but also if God’s plan does not include that blessing then my blessing will be to continue delighting myself in the One who knows me better than I know myself, my Papa Jesus.
So as God resolved those fears He began to give me dreams without limits. For the last several years my dream of helping orphans has expanded to such an extent that if God were not in this I would feel completely overwhelmed. My desire is to build ranches in America and around the world that function as a home and trade school for orphans. I have decided to name it Abba Ranch after the children’s true Father in Heaven. On the ranch, orphan children will be raised in small family homes to learn what “family” looks like, and will be trained in a trade to prepare them for a successful transition to adulthood. This dream is why I chose to study business in college. I want to own several companies, which will allow “my kids” the opportunity get real-work experience in their trade before heading out into the world. The profits of each of the companies will help the ranches to be self-sustained. Now having graduated this past Spring from Pepperdine University and setting out to pursue this dream, I know the best way that I can possibly prepare is by first going out there and learning from those who have gone before me and have relentlessly served the needs of orphans around the world. This dream….is why I feel called to participate in the World Race. It will allow me to see, learn about, and work with orphan groups around the world. I want God to consume me so much that He flows out of my very being into those around me. I want to learn to talk about him anywhere and everywhere without fear of the response of those who are listening. So this next year will be a preparation ground with stepping-stones towards my life dream of bringing Papa Jesus to hurting children.
