We were asked to write a blog about how we were called to this mission trip. Here is my story…
God has started a journey within me right as I was entering High School. It was here that I really began to see God through teaching Sunday School and growing a heart for other cultures, especially Africa. I would hear numerous stories from Africa and all of the hurt they continually would face. I did numerous research papers on AIDS/HIV and the effects it had on communities, families, children and countries. Furthermore, to hear that many died daily from starvation and unclean water, I knew I needed to help.
Another key part of my preparation for the mission field was Operation Christmas Child. Originally it began as a competition within the office to see who could create the most boxes, but it soon became so much more for me. Within every gift we send out we put a letter from our family and our address. Because of this I was able to start relationships and partnerships with people all around the world. Daily, I would receive e-mails of deep pain and sorrow from these families of the harsh circumstances they daily faced. Through a simple ‘shoebox program’, my eyes quickly were opened to more and more of this world.
From here I went on to the University of Nevada. I quickly became involve with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and my passion for people, God and other cultures grew. I would find myself hanging out with International Students and singing songs in their native language. I found myself completely fascinated with the differences in culture and have (extremely) long conversations with them.
It was my college experience that taught me to step out of my comfort zone in order to share the great love that I had to others. I discovered with time that I soon would feel comfortable in that ‘new zone’ and be stretched even further to a ‘newer zone’. Just like a snowball effect, I soon saw that my zones became tremendously larger with time. Through this, I was able to see God move in tremendous ways, learn more about myself and grow in my faith.
And this is where I am at now. I want to ‘keep the ball rolling’ and continue to stretch the limits of my comfort zones in order to reach out and love those around me even more effectively.
