When I was 11 years old I was blessed with the opportunity to go on a mission trip through my church with my family. From the time we left home and throughout the trip my eyes were wide open. I was blown away at the differences, the adventure, and how well I could adapt in such a foreign environment. Our group explored each day with something new and different. We went from home restoration, door to door ministry, and plenty of soccer with the youth group while we were abroad. I was amazed at how much I loved it there.
One day we went to the mall and I had my mission group’s shirt on. It mentioned “Cristo” on it, which is Christ in Portuguese. A man approached me randomly and asked me what it was and what it means. I told him the stories I know and the parables I was taught at this age. We talked with him, with adults present, for roughly 30 minutes or so before he asked to be baptized. So we proceeded back to our hotel and he was baptized in the hotel pool. Everyone surrounded the pool as the man was submerged in this pool and raised with tears in his eyes looking up. I’ll never forget that moment. That’s when I began to realize how powerful God really is. I was young, mildly educated on Jesus, and unconfident on exactly what I was telling him. It didn’t dawn on me till later just how amazing it was that God worked through an 11 year old boy and brought a random stranger in his 30s to God.
Now, I’m thriving for more. More God, more adventure, more powerful encounters that He brings to the world daily. I want to be a part of it. I want to be God’s hands and feet to those who are desperate and lost. Those who can’t see what’s in front of them. Those who are at the brink of giving it up. I want God to work through me, like He did in 2002 in Itu, Brazil.
I’m a licensed EMT in Texas. That certification alone pushes you into situations where it is absolutely brutal at times. You witness things, hear things, smell things, that will never leave you. I chose this career path to be in the trenches with those who need it most at the time. It’s the person I’m striving to be. To be the person that picks you up when you think you’ve fallen your last. The person who helps you in times of desperate need. It’s a gift God has given me and I’ve witnessed it early on. I love it. Don’t get me wrong, it’s horrific at times, but to know God is working through me each and every day is what pushes me through. No matter the struggle.
My family is full of missionaries and I’ve always felt the calling as well. To truly sacrifice your way of life for others is something I can’t get out of my mind. It’s something that comes up in my head daily. “How can I get involved?” “How can I possibly do that?” Well, I’ve answered the calling. I had been praying for about 2 years for God to present an opportunity that will be challenging, but immensely powerful. A way that God can use me even more. The first time I watched The World Race promotion video I could not stop smiling. Then it led to me in tears towards the end of the video. Something inside me knew this was it. I heard the pounding call from God as my heart beat quickly in my chest. I fell upon this verse on accident later that night as I was reading. “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Who shall I send?” And who shall go for us?” And I said, “Hear am I. Send me.” Isaiah 6:8.
As intimidating as 11 countries in 11 months sounds, I am beyond ecstatic. I can not fathom what God has in store for me. I can’t wait to pray over those in India, to wash the feet of the children in Nepal, to cry with those in Vietnam, to share stories and smile with those in Cambodia, to preach with those in Botswana, to play soccer and love the children in South Africa, to teach with those in Swaziland, to explore God’s beauty with those in Argentina, to feed those in Chile, to believe with those in Bolivia, and love as Jesus loved with those off the amazon in Peru. I want to be the hands and feet of God.
“Here am I. Send me.”
