As I think back to the time I was called to the missions’ field, there is not one distinct moment that comes to mind. My passion for missions is something the Lord planted in my heart long ago. In high school I got my first experience of missions work and fell in love with it. After going on several trips with my youth group I knew it was something I wanted to continue to do whether that be short or long term.
My sophomore year of college radically changed my life. I found myself in such turmoil. After a few chapel services and reading books about injustice and the world, all I wanted to do was quit school and go do missions work. My heart and soul never longed to do anything so much in my entire life. After telling God I was quitting school to go to the missions field, he gently reassured me of his plans for my life and reminded me I was at school for a reason. I still had no desire to be at the university I was attending. I was determined to transfer to a school in Michigan. Apparently one transcript did not make it by the deadline. So I stopped playing soccer, changed my major, and stayed at school, where the Lord provided me another taste of missions for that summer. I spent 2 months in Zambia, Africa, a place that has always been on my heart (well, I have wanted to go anywhere in Africa). Upon arriving, I fell in love with the people, the culture, and mostly the children who were orphaned. All I have wanted to do since stepping foot in those orphanages is go back to start more.
It was in my sophomore year, too, that I heard about a friend who was going on the World Race. I thought about, prayed about, and knew I wanted to go on the World Race since that moment. After graduating from college, I immediately began looking into different missions options. My heart could barely handle any more of a wait! I looked into several options, and narrowed it down to two. After much prayer and debating with myself about what to do, I began pursuing a different trip, but doors slammed shut. The World Race was staring me straight in the eyes with a big smile and then I knew the Lord had given me another chance to do what he created me for.
