(This is the email I shared with my entire family on my decision to join The World Race)
“Hi Family!
I have some very exciting news…and no, I’m not engaged or becoming a celebrity!
A few months ago I started feeling a conviction, like I’ve never felt before. Working in “Corporate America” and having my very own cubicle, you adapt to the world around you. A way for me to escape (while getting work done) was to blast all the latest Spotify playlist as loud as possible. One extremely stressful day I started listening to the “Welcome to the New” album by Mercy Me. This particular song “Wishful Thinking” really spoke to me. It was the first time I allowed myself to really listen to what GOD was trying to tell me – WAKE UP!
“Well I guess I’m better late than not at all, or did you plan it this way all along? ‘Cause without suffering GRACE is hard to see. So maybe I’m right where I’m supposed to be.” – “Wishful Thinking”, Mercy Me.
An overwhelming feeling came over me that can’t be explained unless you’ve experienced it, as Christians we call that “The Holy Spirit”. After 10 solid years of trying to figure out “Who I Am” in this world, it hit me: “I AM HIS.” Once I was able to accept the idea that I am WORTHY ENOUGH, I am GOOD ENOUGH, I am SPECIAL ENOUGH, that I AM ENOUGH, the doors begin to open and the light bulbs began to flicker.
I started searching on Google: “Christian, Missions, Adventures, etc.” and www.theworldrace.org came up. I clicked on it, watched the video on the homepage and I KNEW God was calling me for a bigger purpose – that HE was telling me “YOU ARE ENOUGH!“
After sharing my convictions with my cousins Kevin and Amy when they were in Chicago – I really began to pray about this life changing decision I had before me. I could continue to live my VERY comfortable life with a great job, great social life, great “perception” of the “American Dream” – or I could listen to God calling me for a GREATER purpose. A purpose to take the comfort out of my day-to-day and serve HIM.
After months and months and months of prayer and petition I applied, interviewed and was offered (and accepted) to join a team of Missionaries that will travel to 11 countries in 11 months. I know that I am not perfect, but that is okay. HE knows my heart, my desires, my convictions, my every thought, my every sin – and HE’S forgiven me for them. That is why my favorite word is GRACE. He has shown me an abundance of GRACE.
I know I have a lot of SPIRITUAL, EMOTIONAL, MENTAL, PHYSICAL and FINANCIAL work in preparation beforehand but I believe he is calling me to do this. Who knew, right? But then I got to thinking, isn’t that what we are called to do? To be SERVANTS to our Lord and HIS people? I’ve never been more sure in my life, than I am right now and when I get to heaven I most definitely want to hear him to say:
“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” – Matthew 25:23
Can I get an Amen?! Hallelujah!
I have lot’s of preparation in the next 6 months or so; logistics of moving, travel, notifying my job, training camp, packing, paperwork, medical, etc. so I am only sharing this with my close family in hopes you can pray for me and my preparation during this time and the road between now and when I launched January 6, 2016. I don’t know the answers to all the questions but will definitely fill everyone in when I DO know! So for the meantime – you’re in the “Circle of Trust”.
Watch the video on the homepage:
The countries are as follows:
January 2016: Route 4
Mozambique
Malawi
Zambia
Philippines
Thailand
Cambodia
Columbia
Equador
Peru
Chili
Argentina
I love you all. Thank you for being there with me through this process by supporting and praying.
XoXo
Erin, Noonie, Ernie, Nooners, Baby Erin”
“No Borders” by Ginny Owens
Behind “No Borders” by Ginny Owens
