Watching everyone around me discuss their nexts steps in life had me stressed. I didn’t know where I was going, and I didn’t know how I was going to get there. After beginning my freshman year at my local community college, I realized I really had no plan at all. I was really just hoping for the best, and I began to question where God was taking me.
In the summer after my high school graduation, I flew to Peru with an amazing missions organization and had an experience with God like nothing I had ever felt before. It was my first time going out of the country and my first missions trip, but it would not be my last. Getting baptized in the frigid pool water of our hotel and finding friends who became family sent me home with a passion and a heart for missions. Coming home from an experience like that gave me a hunger for more, and I wanted to pursue the word God had laid on my heart. I wanted to “go” and “do” new things for Christ. However, we all know that we tend to get busy and seemingly overlook what God tells us to do, so, instead, I did what I was “supposed” to do. I enrolled in college, went to classes, and worked a job.
I know that none of you have ever been disobedient with God, so I will just fill you in on what that feels like. I had never been so loved but felt so alone. I didn’t understand. I prayed continuously for God to show me my passion, but there was a stillness in me. Something I had to learn in my walk is that in some seasons you have to be alone. I was asking God for more, but how can God trust me enough to give me more if I am not faithful with what I already have? Therefore, I began to train for my trial I was not yet in. I stayed faithful. I began to apply to several different ministry schools, look into internships, and eventually came across an ad for “Adventure in Missions: Gap Year.” At this point, it wasn’t going to hurt to simply “apply.”
You see, failure became my new motivator. Getting turned away from those other opportunities led me to this one. Getting knocked down will always teach you to get back up. Usually, you dream of being involved in a program like this for years, but, instead, my interest for the program began three weeks ago. It only took three weeks for God to show me that He was cultivating my calling. In all the times of my disappointment, He was teaching me. I wasn’t ready four months ago for this. God was preparing me. Oddly enough, my failures got me farther than my success ever did. I am thrilled beyond belief to see what God has for me in this journey and what will unravel from it. Traveling to Guatemala, Thailand, Malaysia, and Swaziland while partnering with the local churches to help in the communities, and building relationships in the field has me grinning ear to ear already. I want to share this adventure with you guys, and, more importantly, I want your prayers. I know that with your support I can reach my goal before I leave in September of 2018. Be looking for more updates from me because it’s going to be a powerful adventure.
