Why I am going on the Word Race.
Many know, but in the case you don’t, I will be leaving this October for a mission trip. I will be traveling all over Central and South America as well as Southeast Asia and I will be gone for 11 months. I will be living in close community with my squad mates, close to 40 now. I’ll pack my life for a year on my back and see new things, do new things, and experience new things. More importantly, I will be meeting new people. People I will serve and serve alongside. People I will teach and learn from. People I will come to love as I try my hardest to show them the love of Christ. But most importantly, I will have an opportunity to grow closer to God in ways I believe will change everything. I will be leaving the comfort of all things known here at home, for all things unknown out there. But the Comforter will be with me.
Many who know of this trip, have asked questions like
how will you afford it?
what about your bills?
is it safe?
what if you get sick?
you sure that’s what He wants for you?
what if you’re wasting your life?
And I wanted to try to answer them for you, too. Where it may seem selfish of me to choose to embark on a mission such as this, I believe it would be selfish of me not to. I’ve given Christ my heart, therefore I’ve given Him my life. He Himself went on a rescue mission trip to save me. I feel called to live my life as an offering to Him. Who am I to hope, expect, or even demand that I live my life however I see fit? Who am I to say what is acceptable to give Him? Who am I to be so consumed with myself that I believe I have any right to choose the areas I give Him control over. I can’t. And I won’t. I have been crucified with Christ, it’s no longer I who lives but Christ who lives in me. I am not my own. I was bought with a price. I have purpose that He inspired. This won’t be convenient. This will actually take away from a lot of things I could be doing right now. I could be going back to school. I could be looking to buy a home. I could be looking to pursue marriage. I could be doing many other things that bring God glory. And as much as I thought that would be my story, I’m learning to embrace what it means to live His more than mine. I still haven’t exactly felt warm and fuzzy over calling myself a missionary, but I know who He’s calling me to be. He’s called me to be a representative of His Name. To tell of His love. To give hope. Who am I do decide when, or where, that is or isn’t appropriate? This certainly won’t be easy, but I know it will be worth it.
God is calling me to step out of my comfort zone and step into His mission zone and I hope this encourages you to, too. If you feel led to support me, the biggest thing I need is your prayers. Pray that I stay faithful and obedient to His calling. Another big part is funds. I’ll be hosting fundraisers and other fun things to help with this, but I can’t do it alone! And another huge part is your encouragement. Send me a text, call me, hug me and remind me of my why on the days I may feel stressed. Again, I’m hoping to do a small part of fulfilling the Great Commission, and none of us can do that alone. I would love to answer any other questions you have, just shoot me a message!
Until the next one,
Chelsie
