Todos conpartimos un corazón // We all share one heart
What does it mean for you to go on this journey coming from a hispanic background?
– I want to let other hispanic people know that its possible and that we are welcome and needed in these spaces. I think a lot of others feel like they couldn’t be a part of something like this because people wont support them or they believe they aren’t good enough but in fact they do have skills that are needed. God equips the called, if we are willing to step out and obey He will provide. It might just be the ability to speak a language other than English, but God can use that to reach and connect with people who don’t know Him. I want there to be diversity in the mission field because God’s kingdom is diverse, when we come together we become a better picture of the kingdom.
What does the great commission mean to you?
We are called to serve God, not only in the mission field but in our everyday lives and to share Jesus’ love with those who don’t know Him. We are here to spread His name. The decision to follow His calling was not about my goodness but about who He is and His goodness. We are all called, not a select few, its for everyone!
Could you share a little bit of your heart about why you’re going on the world race?
Recently I’ve had the opportunity to return to Haiti and this time I had to trust the Lord completely with financing my trip, and He provided over and beyond what I needed. He abundantly blessed that trip and I feel He is calling me to step out in faith again into something even bigger than before. I got to see God’s kingdom grow and life change happen in the lives of little children and a whole community brought together by His love. The changes that occurred in that village touched me and God placed it on my heart to continue to bring His word and love to the lost not only in Haiti, but all over the world. After returning home God began placing people in my life that encouraged me to pursue The World Race and that walked with me through my questions and gave me the courage to step out in faith in this big way. I know that God has been preparing me, and I’m excited for the opportunity to grow deeper with Him through this.
Why did you pick this specific route?
God has blessed me with many friends who live internationally and through those friendships I have learned about so many beautiful cultures. This route will be going through Southeast Asia, specifically through Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, and Myanmar. When I hear my friends talking about where they live with so much love, and they tell me about the need that their country has, my heart goes out to them. I have always felt a pull towards Southeast Asian countries but He has allowed that to be magnified. On this route I want to go stand in the gap and meet the needs with the love of the Father to nations that my friends call home and that God has led me towards. This route will also allow me to share God’s word in my native tongue. During the last 4 months of my trip, I will be traveling through South America with my team. This time on the trip will be especially powerful for me because I can relate to the culture of the people. I want to be someone that the people in these countries can relate to and that they can see God working in my life. Maybe this will allow people to be more vulnerable or open to God’s word because we are similar. I know that I’m called to go and that God will bring people into my life that I can impact for His kingdom and that will help me grow in the Lord in return.
Are there any other thoughts you’d like to share?
I know that this trip will be difficult and that a year is a long time to be away from ‘real life’ but God is faithful and I’m ready. In the past few months the Lord has been growing my faith through the process of fundraising. This is much more than I can do on my own, and He is helping me to lean in and rely on Him instead of on myself. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus talks about His provisions. Whether it be clothing the flowers of the field or providing money for my trip, He will be faithful to who He is and to what brings Him glory. He is teaching me to be patient in the process.
Thanks to my amazing Teammates for help making this possible. World Race here we come!
