Let’s just be real, you all saw this coming.
Some time in February, I began the application process for The World Race Gap Year. I’m not gonna lie, I didn’t think anything would actually come of it. I had always been interested in this trip but never pursued it. So I thought I’d send in an application to see what would happen and if I got accepted, I’d go from there. It’s funny though, because as I began to answer all of the questions, God began working on my heart. And even though I’ve known for a while that my heart is to serve, I finally asked myself why I wasn’t.
It was during my application process that I realized I was going through the motions. I had a major that I loved but every time I sat in class, I wondered how I could apply what they were teaching me to the mission field. And even after 6 months of asking myself that, it never occurred to me that my heart wasn’t in elementary education. It never occurred to me that I don’t need a degree to do what I love.
I’m not saying I’ll never go back to college, and I’m not saying I’m becoming a full time missionary in a foreign country. Although, if that’s what the Lord has planned then sign me up. All I’m saying is that I don’t know. I don’t know where I’ll be two years from now. I don’t know what kind of job I’ll have or where I’ll be geographically. All I know is that I’m young. I don’t need to have everything figured out and despite popular belief, I don’t need to know everything. Shocking, I know. The only thing I am certain about is the desire I have to serve God, the love I have for His people, and the heart I have for the nations.
So, family and friends, I’m going to stop wondering what I’m supposed to do with my life and let God show me while I do what I love; what I’ve been called to do.
In September, I’ll be leaving for The World Race. It is a nine month long trip to three countries– Guatemala, Malaysia, and Botswana. I’ll be living out of a tent and a backpack with a team of other students who will serve along side of me. To some, it might sound crazy awesome. To others, it might just sound crazy. But I like crazy. And I am overjoyed and humbled to have this (there’s really no other way to say it) freaking incredible opportunity. We will spend three months in each country just doing life with the people there, loving on them and serving them any way we can. And for those of you who know me, you know this is a dream come true. There is nothing I’d rather be doing.
Here’s where you guys come in: I need prayer. Lots and lots of faithful prayer. This will be a tough transition as I’m sure you can imagine. So prayer before, during, and after this trip would be a huge blessing.
And then there’s the part that no one ever really wants to talk about. I’ve struggled with this whole fundraising thing for a while. How do you ask people to fund you going on the trip of a lifetime? These aren’t medical bills I need help paying for, I don’t have a life threatening disease. But that’s just it. I may not have a life threatening disease, but this trip is to reach people who do. My eternity isn’t at stake. If I don’t go, my soul condition doesn’t change. I will still get to stand before my Creator and be welcomed into His Kingdom. This trip is not about me. This trip is about God working through me to bring His people back to Him. I’m not asking for a hand out to fulfill my dreams; I’m asking for a partnership to reach the lost and hurting. This is an opportunity to be a part of something bigger than ourselves.
Twelve thousand dollars is a lot of money. It’s kind of an overwhelming amount of money. But if there’s anything I’ve learned in my four short years of mission work, it’s that money is just money. And God is faithful.
Excited is an understatement but there really aren’t any other words to describe how I’m feeling. Thank you to everyone who has encouraged this passion of mine and prayed me through my crazy life. I can’t wait to share this journey with you.
