For some reason, I’ve always had a vivid memory of my pre-k graduation. I recall lining up with my classmates in our royal blue graduation robes. One of my teachers proceeded to make her way down the line to ask each restless student a few questions to read as we walked the stage. When she came to me, she asked what my favorite part of school was, my favorite animal, my favorite color, but then she asked me a question I didn’t know the answer to, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
Pondering this as seriously as a five year old girl could, I responded, “I want to be a missionary.” My thought process for this was very simple. Since I didn’t know of any other job I wanted to make my life’s work, why not tell others about Jesus?
Today, I obviously have been presented with more job ideas and have a better understanding of my interests and talents, yet nothing has beat the logic of, “Why not tell others about Jesus?” Because of this, God has continued to develop my interest and passion for missionary work. When I became sure of this calling, I began to do my research, and interestingly enough, Costa Rica was the first country that made its way into my path as a reasonable fit for the work I had in mind. (If you haven’t already read my “About Me” blog post, I’m interested in teaching english as a foreign language in a Latin American country.)
This brings me to the instance of coming across a World Race Semesters social media post. I had vaguely heard of the World Race through word of mouth, and becoming more curious about their ministry, I followed them on social media. One day, I was nonchalantly scrolling through my instagram feed when I came across a World Race announcement about their new Semester trips. I clicked on their website link to explore what routes they were offering. I was hoping they’d have a ministry in Latin America I would be available to attend, and sure enough, the Semesters’ Costa Rica trip fit perfectly into my schedule!
However, as perfect as this seemed, I had no idea what my family or friends would think of me leaving the country for half of the summer before attending my first year of college. I also didn’t want to rush into things. I wanted to be sure this was a part of God’s plan for my future, so I spent the next month in constant prayer. I wanted to seek God’s heart and will relating to this matter. In time, I applied for a spot on the team. God was faithful, and later, I was officially accepted!
Since then, God has still been working on my heart and I’m doing my best to continue to listen and be obedient to Him. Sometimes I tend to become caught up in my own mind and worry about how I will raise enough money or have enough time to complete everything that needs to be done, but it has become a reminder and great practice to give God my worries and accept His peace in return.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord,” Isaiah 55:8.
This verse reminds me, if this is the path God has led me to, He will provide efficiently and in the way and time He sees fit. If it were up to me, I would be working and fundraising tirelessly to raise the money I need in the shortest amount of time possible, but God has revealed to me that He wants this experience to be a blessing to me, to others, and a display of His faithfulness and power.
Please continue to pray for God’s hand to be at work in my heart, the hearts of my team, and the locals of Costa Rica. Even though my heart is focused on Costa Rica, pray that I will be content with where God has placed me now, and I will continue to hold a mission mindset here in Boerne, TX.
