In some ways it doesn’t seem real yet that I actually am going on the World Race! Only 4 more months and I will be leaving the comfort of America and embracing life on the other side of the world… Wow!
Here’s a little background of how I got to this place:
Growing up, I read countless missionary stories including Amy Carmichael, David Livingstone, Hudson Taylor, Mary Slessor, George Mueller, Jim Elliot, and many others. These stories planted a seed in my young heart, and from the time I was little I’ve wanted to be a missionary.
Over the past few years, I have continued to feel God leading me into mission work. And it became a reality when I traveled to Japan in 2012, then Panama in 2013, and last summer to Baja, Mexico.
I also spent two years at Teen Mania Ministries in Texas, serving in the ministry, taking classes, and deepening my relationship with God. Last summer, my plans to stay for a third year fell through and I came home. It didn’t make sense at first, but now I can see that God was preparing me for the next step of my life.
I discovered the World Race last July, right around the time I decided to come home. Ever since then, my desire to travel and go on the Race has grown. God has specifically given me a love for Asia…. and when I saw that there was a route travelling only to Asia, I knew right away that I had to be a part!!!! It’s like God opened the door at just the right timing and said, “I’m calling you to go!”
I believe all Christians are called to be missionaries, whether here in America or overseas. Jesus said to make disciples of ALL NATIONS, and for me, that means traveling to other countries. I want to share God’s love with the unreached – those who never have a chance to hear the name of Jesus or to understand how much He loves them. They are the ones who need Him the most!!
Sometimes I wonder though…. why me? Why did God choose me and not someone else? Some days I don’t feel worthy. I’m just a girl from a small town in Northern Michigan; I can’t change the world.
But I CAN change someone’s world. Maybe it’s loving an orphan who’s never felt real love; maybe it’s sharing the hope of Jesus with one person who has never heard it before; maybe it’s serving an underground church that needs to know they are cared for and not forgotten.
I can say YES to God when He says to go. And even though I’m just one person, I believe my life can make a difference with God on my side.
I want my life to count for something great. Yes, I am excited about the adventure of the World Race, traveling, and experiencing different cultures…. But more than that I’m going on the Race because I want to share God’s love in the darkest places of the world.
This is one of my favorite missionary quotes:
“I have but one candle of life to burn, and I would rather burn it in a land filled with darkness than in a land flooded with lights.” (Ion Keith-Falconer)
