Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercessions for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
~Romans 8:27-28
How was I called? It was all God. Without Him, I would not be going on this trip.
It's not something that happened throughout the course of a couple weeks, or even months, but many years.
Age 6: Received Jesus as my Saviour…. the start of my walk with the Lord.
Elementary school: Heard stories about missionaries. This was my favorite part of clubs, and would later be my favorite thing to teach in Bible clubs. I loved hearing about Amy Carmichael loving the children in India, God providing meals for George Mueller's orphanage, and how the Holy Spirit worked in the hearts of men and women to be missionaries in China when Hudson Taylor prayed. I knew then that I wanted to be a missionary.
High school: I had the amazing opportunity to be a missionary… in my own community! Backyard Bible clubs, camps, and Vacation Bible Schools filled 5 summers, as I learned about trusting God to provide, being flexible, and growing closer to Him.
College: I couldn't tell you who the speaker was or what He spoke on, other than missions. He asked who was willing to go and tell. I knew. I was being called.
Short-term missions: Mexico, Bangladesh, and Taiwan. I am so blessed with so much! Hearing about poverty and the struggles in other countries is one thing. Seeing it is another.
October 2011: God reminded me just how blessed I am, reminded me that I am called to share the Gospel, reminded me that there are so many people out there who need Him. At this point, I didn't know exactly what God's plan was for me, but I knew two things:
1. God is in control.
2. He is calling me to follow Him, wherever He may lead.
February 2012: I hear about the World Race. At first, I made excuses for why I couldn't go. But the Holy Spirit kept working on my heart, pulling me back to read blogs, find out more.
April 2012: Applied for the WR, was accepted, and now the preparing begins. No, now the preparing continues. God has been preparing for me. And this I know:
1. God is in control.
2. He is calling me to follow Him, wherever He may lead.
