Hi there!
My name is Emma and I am an 18 year old, Jesus pursuing gal who has accepted the call to serve as a missionary overseas for NINE months. There are so many details of this trip and my life that I want to share with you, but I don’t want to scare anyone away with a spread sheet or time line so let me break it down for ya!
Over the past six months I have been pursuing an opportunity to serve as a missionary under the organization Adventures In Missions. After an application, interview process and prayers on top of prayers (that have yet to cease) I was accepted into AIM‘s program, World Race: Gap Year.
“So you’re called into ministry?”
“What about school?”
“Are you not going to college?”
Of course I have been called into ministry. As a Christian, I believe it is each of our callings to live out the gospel and love people in the name of Jesus. For me, this is a lifetime call and these nine months are only the beginning. As for school, I will be taking a year off. I have known many graduates who knew exactly what they wanted to do after graduation, but this has never been me. While searching for what to do next, the Lord lead me to Gap Year and has opened every door along the way. People, the Lord is so good! If only we will humble ourselves to his guidance and authority He will provide. Just a tad bit of what I’ve already learned!
Here are a few trip details: Gap year runs from September-May just as if I were going to school. Prior to the trip, in July, I will attend a 10-day training camp where I where will be challenged and strengthened both spiritually and physically. More info on training camp to come! What will I be doing for nine months? Serving, leading, learning and ministering. This usually involves evangelism, teaching English as a second language, prayer walks, worship, and humanitarian work although it will vary depending on each country and ministry site. What better way is there to share the gospel than to live and love the way Christ did on earth! I will be on a team of 55 squad members (youth missionaries, age 18-20) and then divided further into smaller teams that I will do ministry with daily. The route I will be on (and chose myself) is route #4. Team #4 will be going to 3 continents and 4 countries:
1) Guatemala, North America
2) Thailand, Asia
3) Malaysia, Asia
4) Swaziland, South Africa
Something you may see me use quite frequently is Gap Year’s motto, 3in9. Although it is fairly self-explanatory, the 3 represents each of the continents I will visit in 9 months’ time.
So, there you have it! This little Indiana girl that has been on a plane only once and never left the country is following where Jesus is leading and I’m over the top excited! Thank you Jesus, for choosing to use me. Thank you for qualifying me through your grace.
And friends, thank you! As I walk where the Lord is leading I have no fear of walking alone, because 1) Jesus, duh! and 2) I have a wonderful community of friends and family that I know will walk with and support me along the way. Here’s to new exciting adventures!
XO, Emma Lynn
