“He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.'” (Mark 16:15)
This is the story of how God got a hold of my heart and called me to be a missionary and spread His love all around the world.
My parents have been missionaries in Japan for 27 years, so when I was young I just naturally assumed that I would become a missionary when I grew up too. However, it wasn’t until 2 years ago that God really got a hold of my heart and gave me a calling to missions and a passion for people living in developing countries. There have been three significant events in my life that God has used to reveal His plans to me and to bring me to where I am now.
The first was during a mission trip to the Philippines in 2013. Going to the Philippines was the first time that I had ever been to a developing country, and it changed my life completely. I had never seen people living in such poverty until then, but I had also never seen people living with so much joy, love, and community. I had never felt so at home, in a place that was not my home, than I did when I was serving God and His people in the Philippines. Through that trip, God gave me a desire and a passion to help those living in hopelessness and poverty, and to spread His love all around the world.
The second way God revealed His plans for my life was through the book, ‘Kisses from Katie’. Apart from the Bible, this has been the most influential book that God has used to shape my goals and dreams for the future. God used Katie Davis, the author, to teach me that He can use ANYONE, even an 18 year old missionary kid from Japan, to further His kingdom and spread His love. God also showed me what it means to sacrifice my plans and dreams for His, and what it means to love others with Christ’s love. If you haven’t read this book, I definitely recommend that you do. It could change your life. After all, it changed mine.
The third way was when I met a World Race Gap Year squad while I was in the Philippines. It was the first time that I heard about the World Race, and ever since then it was been my dream to go. I had always thought that I would go straight to college after graduating high school, but God had a different plan for my life, and I’m so excited to go on this journey with Him. He is so faithful, and I anticipate how He will work in and through me to impact the nations as I follow His calling for my life.
