For as long as I can remember, I have always loved meeting new people and helping those around me any way I can. I guess that is just the extroverted side of me. Growing up, going on mission trips was not the way I envisioned my life. Instead, I saw myself being a famous soccer player, traveling the world for the USA soccer team, just like Mia Hamm. However, I also had this passion that God gave me to reach people who have never heard of Him. And just like God always does, He came in and showed me His purpose for my life, which was way better than I could have ever imagined. During my senior year of high school, we had a guest pastor minister at our church, he prophesied that I would have a heart for missions and people. Just like every other person, I said to myself, “God, if this is really what you want me to do, prove it to me.” The very next day God had me open my Bible to the front page where I had written my favorite verse, which was Mark 16:15 “He said to them go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation.” From the very moment I read the verse I loved it. I could never tell anyone why I loved it, just that something in my spirit was drawn to it. In that moment, God confirmed to me that the mission field was His purpose for me.
Now when I look at a map I do not see countries but instead, I see faces of people who have never heard the gospel. I see kids who are going hungry, forced into sex trafficking, or are just in need of the Father’s love. For the last three years, I have sat in classes at Christ for the Nations hearing about the needs all around the world and the whole time, my heart was saying Go! I spent the last semester asking God what He wanted me to do. Knowing in my heart that I wanted to take what God had taught me and pour into nations. I had learned so much from my classes; now it was time to go.
You may be asking, why the World Race? It’s not about the places I get to go to, however, it is about the people I get to reach with the redeeming hope of the Father. I want everyone to know that God is calling their name. To tell them about His grace, forgiveness, and love that is unwavering. To let them know, they do not have to strive to please a god that is not real and who cannot do anything for them. Instead, I can share that there is a God longing to shower His love on them. I chose to go because I want everyone in the world to know that God loves and wants to see them saved. I want to see their life completely transformed by the love of God that completely transformed mine. Some may think this is just an exciting trip I get to go on, but for me, this is more than a trip, it’s a lifestyle that God has been preparing me for. I have had 3 years of God filling me up and now it’s my turn to take what I have learned and share it with the Nations!
