We were asked to write a blog about how we were called to this mission trip. Here is my story…
This “missions” journey began about a year and a half ago, in Maui. Its a series of events in which God placed me and called me to one thing after another to get me to where I am right this second.
I dislocated my shoulder the first time sometime in June 2007 in a creek in the I’ao Valley in Maui. It was the beginning of the end. I dislocated it again in July and again in October. I had surgery in November, and planned to take only a few weeks off of work. I ended up taking 3 months off, against my will. It WAS the will of the Father. He spoke tenderly during this time to me, and called me to work at Hume Lake Christian Camp, in the mountains of California, above Fresno area. He called me to be a Lifeguard, which, again was against my will, but was ultimately HIS will being done. Who decides its a good idea to be a lifeguard after shoulder surgery. NOT ME, thats for sure. What a crazy thing I did, moving away from my home in Maui, from my great job, from my friends, to work at a summer camp WITH NO plans in August. Yeah, I’d call that crazy. And looking back, I still think sometimes that was crazy. God is crazy, and gets our attention in BIG ways.
my maui crew
Moving forward to the third week of camp, June 2008. The one and only time I went to “overflow”, where the summer staff can hear from the camp’s speaker for the week, is the time that a current LeadTimer and former Hume Lake LIFEGUARD (are you seeing the connection??), Sarah, comes to speak about what shes doing. I didn’t really think anything much of it, except thinking “Hm, that would be interesting. Okay, time to go now.” Well, God had other plans for that. The next day, Sarah comes to do the girls Lifeguard bible study. ALL we talked about was LeadTime. I put my name on the list thinking that it could be something I’d be interested in. Less than 4 weeks later, I was offered a contract with LeadTime. I fought it pretty hard, but eventually, gave in again to the will of the Father. God moved so fast, I could barely keep up! God moved. I followed. Again, God got my attention in a BIG way.
The Pondy Guards (^ ME)
Fast forward to LeadTime. I applied for a house director position with Doulos, but turns out I needed to have 60 college credits, which I DO NOT have. I was devastated and SO confused. I have such a heart for this ministry, and was sad that this wasnt what God wanted or had planned. I was looking left and right for something to do with my life, and NOTHING was feeling right. A fellow LeadTimer and current prayer partner, Tracy, came home one night from a night off, and had a prophesy of sorts for me. She told me that God had said that I needed to be patient, and that he would show me what to do. I think that was a Wednesday. The following Monday, Patrice Deaton, a former LeadTimer and also former and now current World Racer, came to tell us about her experience. I was CAPTIVATED by her experiences. LITERALLY. I sat there with my mouth open, with a thousand questions. I hung out with her, and got more info, and had filled out my application by Friday of the same week. I had my interview the following Wednesday and was accepted on Friday. A week and a half. If that is not God working in my life, I dont know what is. I mean, wow. I still cant believe it. God got my attention in a big way.
Erin, me and Amy at a Doulos Day, UGLY sweaters!
So here I am. God has moved me, changed me in so many different ways in each of those journeys: Maui, Hume Lake, and now LeadTime. I have gained different things from each place. Maui: a love for the culture, great community, a passion and fire for God that I NEVER had. Hume Lake: TRUST, a passion for adventure, a wonderful roommate/lifelong friend (and ALMOST RACER!!!). And LeadTime: learning how to trust, how God provides, how to walk through a desert time, and how to greive. There are so many other things I’ve learned and gained, but that could take me ALL DAY! A year ago, or even 6 months ago, I could not say that I would have chosen to go on the race
I feel that the Lord has called me to the race, but I really cant
tell you why. I know that he wants to break me, mold me and move me in
a way that I’ve never experienced. I KNOW he HAS called me. That is
something I know for sure. I know he wants to do some awesome things,
and use the things I have learned for his good. Its weird to think that
I dont know why he has called me, but as I think about this, I never
really know why he has until its time to leave. I know that he has
called me to things in the past that lead me to the next thing. So
maybe the race will lead me to the next thing he has for me. I have no
clue. But like I said, I KNOW this is exactly where he wants me. He is
confirming the call on my heart and on my life in crazy awesome ways!!
tell you why. I know that he wants to break me, mold me and move me in
a way that I’ve never experienced. I KNOW he HAS called me. That is
something I know for sure. I know he wants to do some awesome things,
and use the things I have learned for his good. Its weird to think that
I dont know why he has called me, but as I think about this, I never
really know why he has until its time to leave. I know that he has
called me to things in the past that lead me to the next thing. So
maybe the race will lead me to the next thing he has for me. I have no
clue. But like I said, I KNOW this is exactly where he wants me. He is
confirming the call on my heart and on my life in crazy awesome ways!!
God has done BIG things in me, gotten my attention in BIG ways, and now is taking me on a BIG adventure! Im READY!!!
