We were asked to write a blog about how we were called to this mission trip. Here is my story…
Okay, this is a very broad subject for me so I will start at the beginning. I was raised in a Southern Baptist church, remember accepting Jesus into my heart at age 3 (I know it sounds weird), and was baptised at age 7 on Easter Sunday. I’ve known my whole life that Jesus calls us all to missions, whether it be at school, work, or across the world. However, I didn’t think much about my mission field for most of my life. Even throughout middle school and high school, I went on various mission trips around America and one in Prague, Czech Republic, but these were more trips with the mission stopping when I came back.
My sophomore year in college, God transformed me in a way that I didn’t think was possible. He made me new and alive and exhilerated by his very presence! I encountered the Almighty God and his beautiful heart for me and for his people. My thinking began to shift and my mission field was clear. While on my college campus, God was calling me to pray. It sounds so simple but it changed my life. I was in a prayer room every Friday and Saturday night from 8pm to midnight. Then I was on a leadership team for 24/7 prayer on my campus. I felt that this is what God had called me to and at the time that it would be what I’d do for the rest of my life. I never thought of myself to be one of those people who travel around the world spreading the gospel. I eventually learned that my mission field is wherever God wants me to be and changes as He leads me.
Last year, a guy who went to my school came and talked to our college group about this mission trip he went on to 11 different countries in 11 months. I had heard of it before because a girl from our group went on it my freshman year. My intial thought was, “That’s sounds awesome but I could never do it. I’m way too girly.” I know it seems ridiculous but the thought of not showering for a while or not wearing make up freaks me out sometimes. The trip kept coming to my mind and I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I asked God if this was something he was leading me towards but kept denying it was for me. After about 6 months of thinking and praying about it, I filled out the application but didn’t turn it in because of that $39 application fee. (I’m kinda cheap…) I finally submitted my application in September of this year and when I was accepted, I knew it was God’s will for me and I had to commit to his calling. And so for the next couple years, my mission field is again clear. I am excited, nervous and a little scared. But I know God has more in store for me than I have ever imagined! He is so good!
