Thank you so much for checking out my blog! Here’s a little insight into what I am doing and why!
Basically, I am preparing to go on a nine month mission trip to Costa Rica, Guatemala, Thailand, and Eswatini, where my squad and I be learning to live and love more like Jesus.
I graduated in high school in may of 2019, and did the typical college thing, except not so typically! I ended up studying abroad this past semester, and told my sister one night while I was away that I loved my trip, but would like it better if it was focused solely on Jesus. My heart began to stir after a conversation with one of my friends on spring break, when she randomly asked if I had ever thought about being a missionary. I remember telling her that ever since I read the book “Kisses from Katie” many years ago, my biggest dream had been to move somewhere, start an orphanage, and adopt a bunch of kids so I could love them like Jesus did. However, it never seemed attainable or conventional because I didn’t want to live dependent on other people’s money for the work that I longed to do, so I allowed myself to forget about it.
During my first week home from my study abroad, I talked my mom into letting me visit a friend who had just gotten back from her race so that we could catch up on each other’s past seven months of life. Every story she told me that day left me covered in “all the goosies.” Near the end of our talk, I told her about the stirring I felt, but the conflicting expectations of my family, as well as the ones I had for myself. She suggested that I take some time to simply lay everything down and ask God where He wanted me to be this coming year. So, I did exactly that. Over the next week, I prayed about it, seeking guidance and direction, just wanting to do what God wanted me to do. On March 27th, after randomly opening my Bible, I ended up at the story of Jonah, and in the first sentences, I found my answer.
“The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: ‘Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.’ But Jonah ran away from the Lord…” Jonah 1:1-3
Instantly, I knew in my heart that the Lord was inviting me to go on the race, and that I needed to be willing to follow Him out of my comfort zone, into the unknown. I would love for you to join me in this journey, and you can do that in whatever ways suit you best!
1. You can begin by subscribing to my blog, where I will be posting updates throughout preparation, training camp, launch, and my trip!
2. I would love for you to partner with me in prayer over the coming weeks and months for whatever God has in store.
3. Finally, if you are able, I would appreciate a donation of any amount, because I simply can’t do this alone. You can do that through my blog, or through venmo @abbyshurtz
Thank you so much for reading my story thus far, I am excited to watch as God continues to grow me through this coming season of trust, vulnerability, and dependence on Him.
All my heart,
Abby
