All my life I have been searching for something. As I get older that something progressively changes. I think most of us, as kids, wanted to be something audacious like an astronaut; or we read a book about dinosaurs and want to be a paleontologist. I wanted to be like my Dad, owner of an auto restoration business. I've worked with my Dad my entire life. At one point in my life I became consumed with the search for something better. No matter how hard I searched, I couldn't find it. The despair that came from thinking that I would never amount to anything took me on a path of self destruction. I started looking for things that would just make me forget. Unfortunately those things are so easy to find. In high school drugs are easier to come by than alcohol, though I found that too. I dropped out of high school and started working only enough to keep me high. Eventually I found someone special whom I thought able to pull me out of my rut. I know now that instead of her pulling me out, I started to drag her in. After a time, that also faded away. A few years ago, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. When she past away I fell even deeper. I drank myself stupid and didn't care about anyone or anything. I was mad at God for taking her away from me. I can remember being at a crossroad and looking back, if I went down the wrong path I would have died. Maybe not physically but definitely every other way. God chose that exact moment to pull me out of the clouds. He showed me that what I had been searching for all along was Him and that through Him I would find peace and prosperity.
I rededicated my life to Christ on February 5th, 2011 through water baptism and haven't looked back. I found Adventure in Missions online and started reading testimonies from people that have been on the World Race. My heart was instantly touched and I knew God had given me a new purpose in life: To help, share, love, teach, and learn! I applied for the World Race leaving in October and was accepted. I will be going to 11 countries in 11 months; Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Another Country in Asia yet to be determined, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Malawi. Why a country a month? When you go to a country for a couple of months, you get comfortable. You start to get used to the climate, food, and people. When you are only there for a month, you will need to rely on God and your teammates more.
Basically everything I own will be in a backpack. I am selling my possessions to help pay for this amazing experience. I have a hope chest that my mom gave me and what doesn’t fit in it is sold. I have heard a lot of people say that if I spent all this money and time in my own town it would be more influential. What I have to say about that is, I am only as influential as God wants me to be. I could have millions of dollars backing me and be spinning my wheels because I wasn’t listening to Him. I am called to be a missionary and right now my mission field is Vancouver, Washington. Lord willing, in October it will be Guatemala. There is something about asking for and being asked for money that makes us cringe. So I am not going to. I only want those that want to give to do so. The Bible says, ”God loves a cheerful giver". One thing I will ask for is prayer! If you pray, please keep me in mind. I am going to have a blog set up so that you can experience everything with me. My hopes are that everyone that invests in me will take interest and be deeply affected through me. This mission costs $14,300 and Adventure in Missions has encouraged me to raise as much of it as possible so that my mission has an even broader outreach. I had someone tell me the other day that as a missionary, I am called to let those who cannot go themselves, go through me. Thank you for your time, thoughts, and prayers.
Sincerely,
Brandon Boyd
