We were asked to write a blog about how we were called to this mission trip. Here is my story…
I remember being about 10 years old and staring at my shoes while sitting in my church during the Missions Conference week. A missionary was speaking. I don’t have a clue who it was or what they were talking about. I only remember that I had gone to church each night that week to hear the speakers. I found their stories so interesting, but I had no interest in being a part of anything like that myself. I distinctly remember praying, “God, I will do anything you want me to do, except be a missionary.” And I meant it! I had no interest in going across the world, wearing strange clothing, being away from modern comforts, and talking about Jesus every single day. Now, my interests and passions are the total opposite.
There was never one supernatural life-changing moment. In high school a friend encouraged me to not be satisfied with a distant and complacent relationship with Christ. He never knew that. It was his lifestyle and wisdom that I admired and that gave me a thirst to know God. I finally began to truly grow. I also developed a love for the Spanish language and then the Latin American cultures in high school. After moving into college and changing my major several times, I ended up studying Spanish Ed. Now foreign cultures and traveling were much more appealing to me. My freshman year I went on a mission trip to Bolivia. We witnessed to orphans and patients at a hospital that provides care for those who can’t afford it as a ministry. I now not only knew of the need for Christ but experienced it. It is now real to me. I lead a second trip back the next year.
Then God broke my heart again. This time it was much more personal. In the summer of ’06 I headed
out to the Grand Canyon to work for the summer. I was part of a ministry team that lead Sunday worship services. I also worked in the deli in the park. I spent more time that summer with the international students who came to work for the summer. Some of them are now very close friends, but are not Christians. We have had so many thoughtful conversations about Christ and our beliefs. I don’t know how many times I have cried out to God to lead them to him. I cannot put into words neither how deeply I long for them to have the hope that I do, nor how joyful I will be if they become Christians. God filled me with a true passion to see others come to know him.
Now I’m signed up to go on the World Race. Now I can see how perfectly God has lead me to this place. He’s given me an insatiable thirst to know him. He’s given me a love for traveling and experiencing other cultures. He showed me how much he needs us to share him with others. And he gave me a desire to be his hands and feet in this world. Thank you, Lord, for not giving up on that stubborn little 10 year old girl…
