Shut the door God, or maybe just maybe give me the key.
Ever since I was a little girl, I knew I was in love with mission work. The very first time I remember serving, was probably when I was 7 or 8 years old painting parking lots and planting trees at a middle school. A couple years later I remember packing beans and rice with my girl scout troop and feeling so devastated that I wasn’t old enough to go with the adults to Africa where they would serve the meals we had packed. I went on my first mission trip in 7thgrade, to Austin, Texas and I absolutely fell in love with the change of pace. I was able to leave my comfort zone and normal every day life, and I found I was most in step with God’s will and most fulfilled in actively watching His Kingdom before me. My heart was overjoyed to step into this all-day servant role and I knew that I was called to missions. Since then I’ve been on about 12 mission trips between middle school and high school, including 3 mission trips to Honduras and also leading middle school mission trips.
About two years ago, I heard God whisper to me a simple word, go. I didn’t know what it meant or how I was supposed to go and do mission work as a high schooler, but as I began to walk with my hands open I saw God lead me to the World Race. I asked a lot of questions and spent a lot of time in prayer confused and unknowing, and He kept shutting doors. But He continued to leave this door to the World Race cracked. Even when I thought I knew what He wanted for my next years after high school, I really didn’t. I had to accept that He was going to make it clear in His perfect timing. After I applied to the World Race this door swung wide open and everything fell into place. With the support of my parents, friends, and family I plan to pursue this adventure before my freshman year of college.
The World Race is a 9 month Christian mission trip to 3 continents around the world. One of the unique things about the World Race is that it’s not only a mission trip but also an intensive discipleship program designed to launch my generation into our specific kingdom calling. Through the World Race, my team and I will serve in partnership with churches and ministries in local communities to preach the Gospel, plant churches, work in orphanages, minister to women and children trapped in prostitution as a result of human trafficking, and bring the restorative hope of the Father’s love to many tribes and nations.
I am asking those closest to me to join me in this incredible opportunity to bring God’s transformation love to the nations. The primary way you can do this is through prayer, both on the field and as we prepare to launch. His word says that when “you present your requests to God, the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus”. We are asking for prayers for safety, for provisional funds, and for renewed energy to love on the people around us. The other way that you can join me is by giving financially. The total cost of the trip is $15,800. When you give, please know that you are serving and growing the kingdom of God through your dollar donations, just as if you were with me on the field.
Thank you God for the way you make your plan known to your children, and thank you for the key to this journey.
