“That’s not a good idea”, “One person can’t change the world” , “Reallyyy????”,”Why would you even want to go”, “That’s way too dangerous” , these are all things I’m used to hearing on the daily after I tell people I’m going on the World Race Gap Year 2016. I understand its not the norm. And most people are just interested in learning more so the comments never really bothered me. At this point I was grounded in my decision and felt peace and comfort alongside it. It wasn’t until someone said to me one little phrase that things started to change. “How did you get chosen?”.
Chosen. How was I “chosen”. A rush of responses ran through my head. “I had to fill out an application”. ” I had to do an online interview”. “I had to wait for them to accept me” . But none of those responses seemed fitting. I began to question, how was I “chosen”. I mean I’m just an average girl, living in a middle class community with a good family. I haven’t done anything miraculous in my life , I’m not really popular at school, I spend time watching movies and eating anything I can get my hands on. So how was it I was “chosen” to travel around the world for 9 months to spread the word of God. For the rest of the day this question plagued my head. I started to doubt what made me special. I didn’t feel worthy. I got scared. I let fear take control of my thoughts. So I decided to just sleep it off. I said a prayer before bed asking God to grant me comfort. Then I went to sleep and at 4 am I woke up to use the bathroom and it hit me. There I was in my dark bedroom, alone, no sounds, no light. And I felt God telling me ” I chose you”. He chose me. For what ever reason the creator of this earth was the one that chose me for this. I could go through all the reasons of why he might have chosen me but truth is I didn’t know. I had no answer for that question other than that “He chose me.” I felt this overwhelming sense of peace. I just knew that God wouldn’t have sent me down this path if it wasn’t his will. I always new that God’s divine plan is greater then my own but in the dark and silence it became clearer to me. He chose me. He chose me. He chose me. I could say it 100 times because every time I do I feel more liberated. Every thing I have done leading up to my application has prepared me for this, because he was ALWAYS working through me. I let my self be his vessel and he took control. As Isaiah said “Here am I. Send me.” so did I. And boy our God does not disappoint.
I am about to embark on a journey of a life time. There will be great trials but also great Triumph. I will be leaving October 2016 to travel for 9 straight months stoping in 3 different countries for 3 months at a time. The Lord has chosen for me to serve in Thailand, Malawi and Guatemala. This ministry could look like anything from teaching English, to working in an orphanage , to rebuilding house’s or school’s. Everyday could be a different task. A different trial that God has given us. But everyday is about using the love God has given us to serve his people. To use his endless river of love to send these people the greatest gift of all, God’s grace. I said send me and God said “Go!”. I am his daughter and I know that he will lead me. So in return I lay down my life for him. He’s got my back and he’s got a plan. And that’s all I need to know.
But before I can begin the race there are a few ways I could use your support!
1. Prayers, Prayers, lots of them, the more the better!
2. I’m working to raise a total of $13,805 to complete my trip. This fund covers my transportation, food and housing for the whole nine months of my trip.
3. If you could consider financially supporting me. Not only would that mean the world to me but it would get me one step closer to spreading the word of God. I ask that you consider giving a monthly gift of any sum. If you can’t give a monthly gift I ask that you may consider donating in any way possible. Every $1 is one step closer to me completing my fund. At the end of the day I know that the Lord will provide financially and spiritually.
So I will continue to open my heart to the Lord so that he may fill it with love and grace. As Mark said in 16:15 “Go everywhere in the world and tell the good news to everyone!”
May Christ Continue to fill you days with grace,
Emily
