Well, I suppose I will start off with a heads up to anyone reading, to let you know that this is my first blog. The only kind of writing I ever do is with my ukulele, or piano. So this is a new thing for me. It always took me such a long time to write papers when I was in school. Actually, to be completely honest, I even prefer an audio book versus a written book… I suppose it has something to do with the fact that my attention span is that of a first grader, so sitting still is something I find rather difficult. But that’s beside the point, let me get back on topic. 🙂
A little About me.
From a young age I always had so many questions. I didn’t understand so many things we do in our society. I always felt as if there was an empty space somewhere within me, that I didn’t quite know how to fill. I realized that many people try to fill this space with all sorts of things. Which would maybe explain a lot of different addictions, but that is a topic for another blog. 🙂
I was raised in a Christian home so I was always taught about Jesus. I knew the stories of Jesus and what was right and wrong, so I obeyed, but I didnt obey because I loved Jesus or knew him. I obeyed because I was taught it was what I was supposed to do. I had so many doubts that I would have never admitted to anyone about who Jesus was, or if God was even real. I remember constantly contemplating in my mind that if God’s existence was not real then what are we here for? It wasn’t until I truly started seeking God for myself that my mind was completely transformed. What I realized is that the something I was longing for could only be filled with the one who created me. Who has been longing for me since before I took my first breath.
As I started to grow more in Christ I constantly would think about how life couldn’t possibly just be the typical cycle of
birth ->school age->high school->college->married->babies->repeat.
Even the “striving for success” which I was determined at one point to reach, didnt make sense to me. I could never understand why I was investing all my time and life on trying to attain things that are temporary. My parents always taught me that quality was more valuable than quantity, however, in our world of so-called “success” leads you to what? Fame, a bigger house, more expensive car, all of those temporary things I was referring to.
I have always felt there had to be much more to life than this cycle. My pastor used to say a phrase that I will never forget, “the one thing in this world that you can truly invest in that has worth is relationships; the effect you have on people is the one thing in this world that you will take with you.” Living my life this way is something I am continuously striving for. I feel God calling me to set aside everything I thought my life was about and pursue the One who created me as He allows me to be His hands, feet and voice to people around the world who are desperate for even a glimmer of hope.
-This leads me to the World Race.
In April of 2014 I came across the World Race. The World Race is a 11-month mission trip that goes to 11 different countries, beginning next summer. It’s organized through Adventures in Missions (AIM). I will be traveling with a backpack to each country, serving in a variety of ways. This may include working with victims of sex trafficking, setting up medical clinics, doing construction, leading sports camps for children, spending time in orphanages, teaching, and of course doing a ton of evangelism. I will be living in raw, authentic community. In each country we will be preaching the gospel, praying for the sick, and spending time with people in the lowest strata of their social system. It will be one of the most challenging things I’ll ever do, but I’m so excited to let my light shine for Jesus in some of the darkest places of the world while being challenged and changed into the woman God desires me to be.
God has opened this door and I know He will provide for my needs! My desire to serve Christ in this capacity is a result of ALL OF YOU sharing in my life, and encouraging me to pursue His higher calling. I want to go on this race representing the people who have made me who I am.
I am so excited with what God is doing in my life. I am asking all of you to please pray for me, as I begin this journey. At times I get nervous and overwhelmed but He constantly reminds me to “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10). Since graduating nursing school and starting a job as an RN, just when I thought I knew what direction my life was going in, I have been called and so now I will “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation”(Mark 16:15), with an open heart and nothing but a backpack… I invite you to follow along.
-Eliana
