“What’s next?” “What are your plans for next year?” “Where do you want to go to college?”
All these questions are asked multiple times a day and after so much thought and also prayer my answer used to be “I want to go to college either at Liberty, Olivet, or Grand Canyon. I want to study Social Work with a minor in Non- profit business.” I was excited about this plan because I knew this is what I wanted to do with my life. Like don’t get me wrong I am terrified for college and I still couldn’t decide where I wanted to go but I was glad I had a plan.
Then the worst of the worst started to happen. I felt like God was calling to me to something so much scarier, so much harder and I was not going to do it. I said to myself the rest of my life won’t be ruined if I don’t listen to God this one time right? But Jesus just kept pushing. God was calling me to (wait for it)….the world race. Like why God why???
I kept feeling called time after time even after I would try to forget and deny it. After months of this I finally decided I am just not going to listen. Then about a month ago I was at church and during worship I was feeling the same feeling like I need to go but I was shoving them down. Then they announced that there was going to be prayer booths at the end of service and said I would go but I wouldn’t say anything about the World Race and if they said anything I knew it was God. The service was really good, it was all about just sitting and listening to God. Not having an agenda when we pray but to let his will become our prayers.
Throughout the service I talked myself out of going to the prayer booth but then at the end my friend who didn’t know the situation said adamantly that I needed to go to the prayer time.
The first thing they said was “I know your called to the nations and many nations” and then they went on to talk about my heart and love for people. It was such a cool experience and amazing to see God move and work in this way. They kept using the phrase “love them well”, which has been a big deal to me lately. God spoke and he spoke clearly.
After this I went out and told my two friends that I was with and this is the first time I told anyone about this new and crazy calling. They were so excited for me and really encouraged me in it. I was so scared and literally freaking out. My new plan was to just pray really hard about it the next couple days to be sure. So that week I really tried to rest in Jesus and have no agenda in prayer. Through this I felt compete peace about this and told a couple other people who encouraged me in it.
I decided to tell my parents and this was very scary because it was a complete shock to them. I sat them down and told my exciting news and there was a long silence after that. They said they want to pray about it with me. My dad kept saying weird things like, “you will be gone for New Years”, like why new years? And my mom was just quiet. After I told them, I realized it probably wasn’t the best time because my brother, Jace who is currently leading a gap year squad on the world race, was on a 10 day hike without communication.
That Sunday we went up and prayed at the altar. This was a really sweet time. My mom told me that in that time God gave her the picture of them dedicating me as a baby. They wrapped me up like a present in a beautiful dress and gave me as a gift to God. They gave me to God and said “do whatever you want with her.” So my mom said if this is what God wants for you, this is what we want for you.
After this I applied got accepted and now we are here. I am so very excited but also crazy scared. I know this will be such a growing time for me. I kind of feel if I have this opportunity why not?
I will be leaving in September and getting back around June. I am going to Ethiopia, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Cambodia.
This is a crazy turn of events and I am so excited for it but the only way I will be able to do it is with your help! If you feel lead to donate it would be so greatly appreciated! Also subscribe to my blog below so you can come along on my journey. Love you all!!!
