I know I’ve been called to missions since 2008 in the summer following the death of one of my best friends, Ashley Collis. In all reality, I’ve been called to missions for longer than I can remember because there’s been evidence of it since I was about 5 or 6 years old, but I’ve also spent most of my early life fighting this calling.
Side note: I enjoy looking back at the many decisions and instances that have entwined to get me where I am now. The more that the Lord teaches me, He causes me to grow, and in the process of growth the picture becomes clearer. I know that the picture won’t be completely clear until I meet the Lord in Heaven, but I’m enjoying the glimpses that he’s giving me now.
Back to your regularly scheduled programming:
The process of being called to the World Race has been long.
I initially realized that I was called to missions mid-summer 2008. After Ashley’s death I was in a lot of pain, but God was and has been incredibly faithful to use that experience for his glory. Her death had put into perspective that I had not found my purpose. I didn’t want to waste my life, so I asked God to show me what I needed to do.
One night I decided to re-read one of my favorite fiction series from my teen years. In one of the later books, the main character goes to study abroad in Switzerland and work in an orphanage with refugee children from the wars in the Balkans. It broke my heart. I had read stories about orphans around the world and the developmental issues inherent from that environment, but it took a fictional story to put it into perspective. I’ve always loved children, and I couldn’t fathom what my life would be without the loving parents that I have been blessed with. That week I realized my heart was made to walk in love. I told my parents that week that I wanted to quit school and move to Russia so I could work with orphans.
Thankfully, my parents are good at taming my romanticized impulsiveness on the rare occasions that my own logic fails. They want the best for me, so I usually take their advice. They recommended that I pray about it for a few months, and proposed that finishing school first would be beneficial to me in the long run. The decision was ultimately mine, but I’m glad I followed their advice. Waiting has certainly given me time to grow and gain an understanding of what this calling will cause me to encounter.
In 2009, my friends Brad and Erika Baldwin announced they would be going on the World Race. I had never heard of this organization, but when I looked at the website it blew me away. It was incredibly appealing, but I didn’t consider it an option since I was still in school. Little did I know, it would keep coming up over the next 2 years.
In October of 2010, the Lord spoke to me while sitting in my Italian class, and it was there He told me to change my major. You can read that story here. In the process of changing my major, I thought I would be going on study abroad to Italy, but when that fell through in January I started looking for other options. My mom suggested looking into mission trips to Italy. I stumbled across the AIM website while researching trips which lead me to the World Race website (there is no such thing as coincidence). I wanted to go, but I thought the race wasn’t feasible. I had just failed to obtain the money necessary for study abroad, and I let the fundraising required for the race to deter me.
Distracted from my purpose in missions, I set my sight on the Peace Corps. I was determined this would be the best thing for me. I would be putting my major into practice, they funded all of the travel and they gave a stipend at the end of the 27 month service.
Thankfully, the Lord used a very good friend, former roommate and future racer (Aubrie Quick) to bring the World Race back to my attention for a 3rd time on April 24, 2011. After Easter dinner, Aubs and I were talking about a breakup I’d had a few weeks prior, and the way that the heartbreak had caused me to question my direction and purpose regarding the Peace Corps. It was in this moment that Aubrie asked me to consider praying about going on the World Race. She was considering it herself, and thought it might be a good option for me. I thank the Lord for placing Aubrie in my life.
I fought with God about the Race until August, but ultimately He won. There is no such thing as coincidence, and the Race kept coming to my attention. The irresistible calling that the Lord had placed on my life needed a place to begin, and the World Race is my starting line.
I am so excited to begin this journey. I am excited for whatever the Lord will teach me in this experience. Thank you to everyone who took the time to read this. Your support means the world to me. Thank you to all of the people who commented and left encouragement on the “About me” section. I am so incredibly blessed. Thank you for serving as another reminder of God’s blessings in my life.
I love you all,
Emma
