Don't you just love Sister Act?
I don't know how exactly I was called to do missions; my heart has just always been for missions. While I love doing missions in the states, I'm always pressed with the longing to reach those outside of this country. The further into the process I go for the World Race, the more at ease I feel. The more confirmation I receive that this is where I'm supposed to be. When fears start to plague my mind, He provides me with Truth to fight it- immediately. As I begin to consider if this is something I'm doing for myself as an escape- again, I'm provided with scripture that assures me that it's for Him. For His glory.
About four years ago, I was looking up different kinds of missions that I could go on and I came across AIM's website. From there I came to the World Race. Something about it just completely grabbed my attention. Problem- you have to be 21 to go. I at that time was definitely NOT 21, I still had a few years. But that didn't stop me form continuing to go back to that website every once in a while.
Then in February of this year(2011) I just started thinking about it again. I hadn't thought about it in probably close to a year. I got my hands on a computer and went back to the website. It had been such a long time since I had thought about the World Race that I even forgot you have to be 21 to go. I'm now 21.
But. . .
I was still a foster parent to my cousins.
But. . .
Only until June.
But. . .
I don't have any money or a job for that matter.
After a few days of thinking about it, I went back to the website to maybe request more information. I did, and ten seconds later my cursor was hovering over the "Apply Today" button. One left-side click later and I was staring at the "which route" do you want to apply for? page. I clicked October 2011. Next, I came to a basic information page. I quickly filled it out.
Hit continue. "In your own words what is the Gospel?" In words that were too true to ever be my own, I answered the question.
Continue. "What struggles do you have?"
Oh, NO! I hate answering that. Do I have to? I only hesitated long enough to say "Oh, NO!" I was already answering with brutal honesty before I had time to see if there was a skip button.
Emergency contacts. No problem, I always use Jorel.
Wait! I need TWO?! One quick text to Kelsi- all done.
References. Easy. Done.
Submit.
WHY DID I DO THAT?!?!?!?!?!
But I was filled with the peace of mind and confidence that it would all work out.
For those of you who might ask, "why not stay home and do missions from here?"
Well for one:
For a while now, I've had the Sister Act song of "I Will Follow Him" continuously playing in my mind. Along with the words- that I ended up researching to find is said 22 times in the NIV translation- "Follow Me." True I can and should follow Him here at home just as much as I can somewhere else, but then I was brought to Romans 15: 18-22.
I dare not boast of anything else. I have brought the Gentiles to God by my message and by the way I lived before them. I have won them over by the miracles done through me as signs from God–all by the power of God's Spirit. In this way, I have fully presented the Good News of Christ all the way from Jerusalem clear over into Illyricum. My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else. I have been following the plan spoken of in Scriptures, where it says, "Those who have never been told about him will see, and those who have never heard of him will understand." In fact, my visit to you has been delayed so long because I have been preaching in these places.
It freaks me out to share the Gospel with others, but at the same time, I am consumed with the desire to bring that good news to those so lost because they've never heard it before.
And second response: I want to ask you a question? What if everyone chose to think the same- I can do missions at home? Then how is that spreading the word? How are we doing what He asks if we all stay in one area? In order for a seed to be planted in new soil it must travel. Carried by wind or animal or some other movable force. God has asked that some of us be that movable force to carry His seed to new nations. Since many are not able or willing to go, I will.
I will follow Him
Follow Him wherever He may go,
And near Him, I always will be
For nothing can keep me away,
He is my destiny.
I will follow Him,
Ever since He touched my heart I knew,
There isn't an ocean too deep,
A mountain so high it can keep,
Keep me away, away from His love.
I love Him, I love Him, I love Him.
And where He goes,
I'll follow, I'll follow, I'll follow.
He'll always be my true love, my true love, my true love.
From now until forever, forever, forever.
I will follow Him.
Follow Him wherever He may go.
There isn't an ocean too deep,
A mountain so high it can keep,
Keep me away, away from His love…
We will follow Him,
Follow Him wherever He may go,
There isn't an ocean too deep,
A mountain so high it can keep,
Keep us away, away from His love…
(too much repetition for me to finish)
How many times does He tell us to "follow Him?"
Once in Judges 3:28
7 times in Matthew 4:19, 8:22, 9:9, 10:38, 16:24, 19:21
4 times in Mark 1:17, 2:14, 8:34,10:21
5 times in Luke 5:27, 9:23;59, 14:27, 18:22
5 times in John 1:43, 10:27, 12:26, 21:19; 22
THAT'S 22 TIMES!!
And how many times do we do as He commands?
*The song is from the movie Sister Act. I have no rights to it all.
