This upcoming school year I’m ditching college.1 Well let’s just say I’m taking a slight detour… Instead of basking in all of the glory that being a college freshman has to offer, I am, by faith, going on a nine month mission trip to…(drum rolllll please!) Thailand, Malaysia, Costa Rica, and Ecuador! I can see your confused faces now, so allow me to elaborate…
It was the first few weeks of my senior year in highschool (bear in mind, that was about four months ago) and I worried what God’s plan was for me. Where would I go to college, what would I study? I was uneasy and something wasn’t right. So there I was sitting in my room, a little ball of stress, (probably eating ice cream)2 procrastinating the best way I knew how… scrolling through social media (specifically facebook) when all of a sudden I saw a post about the World Race. Click, scroll… WHAT! Wait a second, hold the phone. Was it possible that someone had the ability to travel the world and make disciples so easily! I saw in front of me an opportunity to not only fulfill my overflowing heart for missions3 but also what seemed to be a rather logical next step. No way! I had to know more, so onto the website. Click, scroll…. WHAT! It was possible!! Well maybe for someone else, but definitely not me, right? I had things to do, commitments, college to think about! So I moved on. It was a few days later and I couldn’t shake it. I needed to know more! so I researched and then researched some more. Finally I prayed. “God, what do you have for me? I am so absolutely and completely lost! I surrender myself to you God! GIVE ME PEACE!” It was silent. So I moved on, until one day I decided to check the website again. WHOSH, as I read more an incredible (and I mean incredible) peace washed over me. It was the first time in all these weeks where I felt so calm, so assured, so, well,… certain. So I prayed again and it went something like this: “look God here’s the thing, you are my father. You have all the authority, and I am yours. God is this your will? I want to do this but surely I don’t NEED to do this?” And then I swear I heard God, my father, THE KING OF KINGS chuckling. As if to say “have I ever not been faithful?“4 Next thing I knew I was applying, I continued praying asking God to work through this opportunity. Then before I knew it I was being interviewed… and then finally the very next day I received a call. I HAD BEEN ACCEPTED!5
So here I am right now sitting, and rejoicing in God’s sovereignty. I know, you probably have some questions. I regret to tell you I probably don’t have all the answers. Here’s however what I do know:
A) I’m going on a 9 month mission trip next year
B) I expect the unexpected
C) My God is PERFECT in all of his ways
D) I can’t wait to update you when I know more
E) This is an adventure and a gift!
(And finally)
F) I NEED HELP!!!
IN REGARDS TO SUBJECT MATTER F:
This trip is no doubt an exceptional answer to prayer and I am so blessed! This trip is not free however, and I will need to raise $15,800 in order to partake. But here’s the kicker MY GOD ALSO IS THE GREAT PROVIDER!!! (What! What a crazy awesome God with insanely beautiful and perfect qualities!) I am absolutely confident that He will continue to bless me! If you would like to support me on this amazing adventure PLEASE do at least 3 of these 3 things 😉
1) keep me in your prayers!!!! (I cannot stress how appreciated that would be!)
2) Subscribe to my blog so I can keep you updated!!!
3) There is no gift too small! Even if its $5, I would be so honored and blessed if you would support me on this trip!
1 I fully intend to get my college education when I get back! Come on guys, it’s me were talking about!
2 the details escape me. However, during my “stress spells” you can usually find me eating ice cream.
3 check out my ‘about me page’ to find more information 🙂
4 a rhetorical question of course, God has ALWAYS been faithful in my life!!!
5 all I can say to that is GLORY BE TO GOD!!!
Yay! You’ve made it to the end of my VERY FIRST BLOG!!! I just want to say that you all mean soo much to me and I cannot wait to take you with me on this adventure! Please email me at [email protected] with any questions you have!!! Or comment down below! & If you are new, check out my ABOUT ME page to get to know me!!
With SOOO MUCH love,
Emma Joy Briner
