Am I crazy? Of course. Hear me out though.
It’s EJ.
If you know me, great. If you don’t, Click on the “About Me” tab to see a little of who I am.
I’ll catch you up a bit here.
I’m a Senior at App State.
After graduating in May, I felt a strong pull to do something different. Not for the sake of being different, but to create an impact that ripples throughout the world.
I’m leaving America for 11 months to serve 11 countries. If you’re reading this, you’re likely wondering why. So Let’s dive in a bit.
You know how it goes if you went to public school.
This is life: Go to school. Get good grades. Get into college. Attend college directly after graduation. Graduate with a degree. Intern. Enter the professional work force. In some cases, Marry. Have Kids. You know….
I’ve always been a bit of a wild child. I was energetic and off the walls as a kid. I felt built for adventure – like it was pumping through my veins. Life seemed colorful, an array of tones and hues. Soft pastel blues and greys, certain seasons demand a cherry red, warm yellows, roses, and lively greens.
I knew I was made for something more.
After meeting Jesus, like FOREAL FOREAL meeting Jesus, parts of life that never made sense, began to make sense.
I knew that the core of my issues came from thinking my life was solely about me. It’s not.
As graduation approaches, I feel like I’ve followed the path I was expected to. Which is why my decision to give away what some would deem “precious networking and career building time” and dedicate to something far more grand, seems a bit – ODD.
Jesus.
In one boat, I am completely calm thinking about living out of tents, lugging myself from country to country, leaving those whom I love dearly, living out of a backpack for almost a year.
In the other, I am PETRIFIED.
Let’s do this.
This opportunity came to me through word of mouth. From the day I accepted Jesus, I saw missions as the “next step”. Or a way to prove my “holiness”. If you know anything about missions, this is absolutely the wrong mindset.
So I withheld myself from short term trips that enticed my from time to time. I wanted my heart to be in the right place. That is, I wanted to truly believe I was serving nations for Jesus, and NOT for my image. 5 years of prayer later, It’s time. This isn’t about me. It’s not about adding to my ‘Travel Resume’. It’s not luxurious. It’s not, by any means, EASY.
What am I doing sleeping in tents and living from my backpack for a year?
“Some days will be packed full with construction, VBS, evangelism outreach, building relationships with orphans, or praying for the sick at a hospital. Regardless of the pace or the activity, every day will be focused on being a part of God’s kingdom work.”
I’m about this. I’m all in. I am saying YES. OH YES.
Joy electrifies my entire being thinking about this. If you’re HIPPITY HYPE to follow along my journeys, hit ‘SUBSCRIBE’ under my profile photo. You’ll receive updates on how the Lord is working through me overseas.
In the meantime, note the H.U.G.E $19,200 fundraising goal I have to meet. Ahhh! The Lord is so good, and so much bigger than that price tag. We have such a good creator. Will you join me and help send me overseas?
Feel free to comment any questions, text me, call me, email me.
Lots of love,
Erin Michele
