Hello friends and family!!
I have never written a blog post in my life, but it is something that I look forward to doing in the coming months. I am sharing what God is doing in my life. It has been incredible to watch and witness how God has been speaking to me. About a month ago, I applied to serve on The World Race: Semesters. After a few phone interviews and a lengthy application process, I was accepted into this race. The World Race is a mission trip sponsored by Adventures in Missions, an organization that sends groups all over the world to serve and love God’s people. The World Race is typically an 11-month long mission trip to 11 different countries; however, I will be serving on a 2-month long trip to two different countries. My journey will begin in Haiti and then end in the Dominican Republic. I will leave on this trip on May 31stand I will return on August 1st. I am beyond excited for this journey that lies ahead of me.
Here is a little background information on how I came to this decision of leaving for two months. Most of you know that I went to Ghana, Africa after my graduation in May 2017 with my church and I immediately fell in love with not just Africa but missions in general. I loved everything about the experience, and I enjoyed serving those who are in need. As soon as I returned home from Ghana, I began to look at other mission opportunities. After searching for mission opportunities, there wasn’t anything that stuck out to my interest. At this time, I decided not to go to school for a semester and then return in January 2018. Once I returned to school, there was an opportunity with our church to go to Hamburg, Germany that summer. My mother and I raised money to go together, and that was one of my favorite memories! After returning home from this trip, I still felt in my heart that I did not want to be in school full-time and I just wanted to work. But, I went to school dreading every day for five months. Here I am five months later; I still feel this way about school. So, I began to pray and finally worked up enough courage to tell my parents that I don’t want to be in school. I said that my heart was set on missions. I was so scared because you’re taught your whole life that when you finish high school, you go to college, right?! As of today, I am officially a “college drop-out.” My parents have supported my decision. They have been praying for me and will continue over these next few months. I know this decision will significantly affect my future, but I also know in my heart this is what God wants for me right now.
I have been called to be brave and step out of my comfort zone. I know I am doing exactly what God wants me to do and He will be with me with each step I take. I have complete peace about my decision. I get to serve and love on people who have never heard the sweet name of Jesus. I can spread the hope of the Gospel to children who don’t have loving parents like mine. I get to share how there is nothing greater in life like God’s Amazing Grace. I get to help build ministries and churches in countries that need them. How can I ignore a calling I have heard so deeply from Jesus?
However, to do all of this, I have to raise support. Fundraising is my least favorite part of this journey. I found out just how hard it can be when I raised money to go to Ghana and Germany the last two summers. But it is necessary! My trip is roughly $5,500. This amount includes everything I will need while I am out in the field. This is a pretty large number, but I’m not worried about anything. I have seen God move already; He is in control of everything. As of today, I have already raised $1,710 through my first fundraiser. On top of my trip monies, I also need to save enough to make my car payment each month while I am gone. I know that I cannot do this alone. It is my prayer that God would bless others financially so in turn, they might feel led to bless me. If you are interested in supporting me at all, please pray about it first, and then if you feel like you are being led to give, you can contact me at this number (901) 896-9143 or (901) 301-2138.
But, more than money, I need prayer! Prayer is the key to making this happen for me. It is what will make all of this possible. I have been praying more than ever. So, please do the same for me. Please pray that my heart for missions would grow and my love for Christ would grow through all of this. Pray that God will prepare my heart for what I am going to see in the field this summer. Pray for protection against the enemy. He attacks the hardest when he knows God is planning big things.
I hope now that some of you have a better understanding of my heart for the mission field. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your prayers and any financial support you feel led to give! I will keep in touch through these blogs along the way so please be sure to subscribe!!
– Dani
