We were asked to write a blog about how we were called to this mission trip. Here is my story…
I am not positive but I feel like I might be a little different than most on how I feel I was called to the mission field, but then again I’m sure everybody feels that way.
To answer this question I must first give you a background on me and what I have been working through in college. I am graduating in summer with my degree in chemical engineering. I have never particularly enjoyed my classes in chemical engineering however I felt that I would like the work more than my classes, but I also knew that most Chem Engrs if they want, can get to travel. This excited me. I’ve been telling myself since about my junior year in college, that I did not know what my future held, but I wanted it to be an “adventure.” And this has always been the word I’ve used, ironically the world race is through, “Adventures in Missions.”
I have also always thought that I would like to take a year or two at some point to do some international ministry work. I don’t know exactly what brought this about, just knew its something I would love to do if I got the chance.
So junior year in college comes and goes and senior year approaches. But with it a new curveball has come my way and that is my sister tells my family, from fairly out of the blue, she is leaving in June for an 11-month mission trip to all over the world. It was fairly unsettling at first to know my sister, someone I have seen atleast once a month for my entire life was leaving for a year. I believe though it was the best thing that could have ever happened to her or my family. My sister is currently on her last month of the world race in Ukraine and will be back a month from today( April 21).
Her leaving on this trip did something big for me. Up until this point these ideas that I had were just ideas. Leaving to do international ministry was an idea and something that sounded great, but in reality I was never sure I would act on, but my sister leaving made all of these things REAL. I can’t explain to you how suddenly I became aware of what I was doing with my life, and what I wasn’t doing with my life.
It’s at this time I decided for a change in path and moved from chemical engineering to law (small steps). I realized I am not going to spend the rest of my life working at a job that I’m just okay with. But this brought about a huge freedom. No longer did I feel tied to pursue something that was safe and would allow me to be defined as successful. It was no longer me chasing something the world told me was good and I was able to open up my hands to the lord. The past 3 months have been accompanied by unbelievable growth in my faith and trust in the lord and the plans he has for my life. Law school is still very much on the plate, its something I can see the Lord working in, and it is something I am very excited about, but I have time right now before law school starts to take a year, and see his world and his people. I have begun to realize that as a believer in Christ I am at the front lines for him. If I say I am believer in Christ but that cannot be seen in my life, what am I really even doing here. Eternal life for me has begun. The moment I accepted Christ as my savior however many years ago, eternity was upon me. But what am I doing with my time here…NOW!
As much as I honestly and truly believe I need to be on a plane in August heading to Ireland, I also realize that the time I have now and the I’ve had time in the past, and especially the time after the race, this of both before and after the race is no less precious in the lord’s eyes and for that matter it is no less his time. I no longer have an excuse of being too young or being _______ , whatever it is, you fill in the blank. I have a limited about of time to live for and love the lord on this earth….what am I really doing with it.
There’s a song called Hosanna and the second verse goes something like this.
“I see a generation, rising up to take their place, with selfless faith, with selfless faith.
I see a near revival, stirring as we pray and seek, we’re on our knees, we’re on our kness.”
This verse is about me and my generation. NO longer is it my parents generation who alone are called to be over-seas for the lord, who are called to provide for the homeless and visit the prisoners in prison. But it is me and my generation. We must rise up and take OUR place, it is our revival that is needing leaders, who will answer the call?!?
