My calling has always been clear. I’ve always known what I would do in life, even without truly knowing I would grow up to be exactly what I told my kindergarten teacher I was going to be. In order for you to understand, I have to tell you my story from the beginning. In my first couple years of life, my parents had the joke that I would be the kid to come home and say I was going to be a missionary in China. I was 4 years old in kindergarten. I specifically remember the day that we (my kindergarten class) were all lined up in the gym and one by one the teacher asked us, “what are you going to be when you grow up?” I was quick to tell her that I was going to be a missionary in China. This where everything starts to fall into play. Oblivious to the jokes my parents had made, I came home to tell them what I was going to be when I grew up. A missionary in China. CRAZY RIGHT?!?! I did the exact thing my parents had always talked about, without even knowing what I was doing. Now for the further explanation of why I chose China, at 4 years old I didn’t know of many other places in the world and China seemed to be the only option. The whole point of this story is just to explain how God was speaking to me when I was just a kid.
Fast forward 14 years later and my plans are still the same. I spent all summer praying for a mission opportunity and I found The World Race. I knew this opportunity was for me and I had no doubts about saying yes. I had already said it 14 years ago. I was ready to commit, but I needed some other people to commit as well. I was never worried about this. God wanted me to go so I knew he would make a way. As I explained this calling to my parents, slightly concerned about their response, they told me how they had been preparing for this day since I was in kindergarten. My mom and dad explained to me they could never hold me back from what God wanted me to do, even if it meant sending me across the world for 3 months. I quickly found my supervisors upon my acceptance for the trip and explained the opportunity. They were very excited to give me the time off. Everything had worked out. Everyone said yes. Now it’s time for fundraising, prayer, and preparation. I’m sitting here, writing this blog, still in awe of how God works. Still trying to believe that I’m actually accepted. Still trying to process how amazing it is to have this opportunity. I’m saying yes to God and I encourage you to do the same. The happiness it has brought to me is awesome and I can’t wait to share this love with the people I encounter on this journey. I appreciate the prayers, donations, and support for me as well as the team I’ll be living with. Remember, your support makes you the sender and I wouldn’t be able to go on this trip without you.
