Hello! My name is Carlie Harrison. I just recently graduated from a Discipleship Training School through and organization called Youth With A Mission. For 3 months I got to learn about God and grown more in depth with Jesus. During those months I learned that He is not only a God who cares about me, but that He knows! He knows about my past, present, and future. Another theme of that time was that He has made me for the nations. With that being said the next 2 months was outreach phase, where we got to go to Nepal and Hong Kong. While in Nepal we went to an orphanage to help them build another building to expand, along with being with the kiddos. They were so happy to see us and get more people to play with them. We also got the amazing privilege to build a tea house, kind of like an Airbnb but in the Himalayan Mountains. It was an 18 day trek through the mountains to reach the next location to extend more income for the families so they wouldn’t be forced to sell their children as sex slaves. In Hong Kong we got to be apart of several different ministries like schools, sports, elderly, drug and rehab, red light districts, children, and street evangelism. I saw kids ask questions about who Jesus is. Being able to tell them that He wants to have a relationship with them sparked a light in their eye. We were able to teach and show how God was moving on our own personal life. The testimonies of people in my group were able to touch hard places of people’s lives because we show them we have been through a similar things.
Through gaining more of a compassionate heart for those people, I also gained a greater understanding of how God wants to use me. While living out of a backpack, not having a shower everyday, and relying on God to provide. That life style seemed to fit me so well. Not being able to check my phone for messages or likes on a post was so freeing. It got me thinking how I did live back home where I didn’t really need God. I had a job, a house, endless supply of food, a phone, wifi, shoes, etc… Everything was just giving to me. Thinking more deeply about that I was super thankful to live such a life, and how my parents have provided for me. When I got to see the lifestyle of others they just seemed so content with so little. I kept thinking “These people are so happy, why? They don’t have anything.” Then it hit me, they are so happy because God was their everything. Why would they need anything else? The less you have the less you have to worry about.
The whole trip was so eye-opening. God has stretched my heart for the ones He loves so much. He has shown me that following Him isn’t the easiest but it’s worth the most. I continually had to remind myself that I don’t need anything. God has given me peace about being present in the moment that I am in right now. I also want to pursue my relationship with Him and the call to go to the different nations. Seeking after a desire in your heart is scary but so fulfilling knowing that just by following and allowing God to change you, everything else will be added on to what the Father has promised.
I know that He will bring me to places that I would never imagine being. It’s the moment I get there, I will be there. As for right now I am looking forward to the journey that is to come on the World Race, which is an 11 month 11 different countries mission trip. It is going to be really challenging being gone that long. I know that the Lord will bring me closer to where He wants to use me. I have had dreams of being around children in different cultures dress in their country’s attire. The way God has used me in the past with different cultures is just the start of this journey to come. I would love it if you would join me and watch how God moves! It’s going to be an amazing journey, don’t miss it!
