In 2010, I flew to the other side of the world for the first time. Ireland treated me well, and I realized there was a big world out there patiently waiting for me to explore. I felt more at home in a foreign country than I had ever felt in the USA; I didn’t know what to do with that feeling, but I knew it wasn’t going to be the last time I felt it.
In 2014, I went on my first international missions trip to Kathmandu, Nepal. I began that trip nervous, a little anxious, very excited, and extremely unprepared. While those 10 days encompassed the most difficult experiences I’ve ever had spiritually, emotionally, physically, and mentally… this trip was the launch pad of my purpose.
In 2016, I went to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Twice. The first: I spent 10 days doing some construction work on a house in the slums, I taught a little girl some English, became best friends with one of the kids who lived in the house I was working on, and witnessed a miracle. Once again, I felt a sense of true belonging somewhere other than my home country. The second: more miracles, more ministry, more leadership experience. I didn’t want to leave.
In August of 2016, I went to Ireland again. This time, ministry focused. I saw need of Jesus in the country my family is from. I saw the brokenness, the hurt, the insecurities, and all the lies the people are still believing. I saw tenacious kids, passionate about something, but not realizing the potential if their passion was focused on Jesus. They are so close, so so close.
In 2017, I went to Tijuana, Mexico. For this trip, I asked God to show me something new. I don’t think I realized the weight behind my prayer, because God’s answer was above and beyond any expectation I could have set. The very first night, He reintroduced me to the core piece of His nature, the characteristic of God that He in turn defines: LOVE. The ins and outs of this trip, from the worship songs we listened to during our team devotional down to the message on Sunday morning and the prayers of strangers who don’t know my intimate relationship with the Lord, all pointed to the recurring theme of His Love. It blows my mind how God continues to overwhelmingly amaze me in the simplest of things.
Which brings me to…
In 2018, I’m going on the World Race. 11 countries in 11 months, all with new experiences and lessons and opportunities for God to move. I’m so excited to jump into this next season of crazy adventure with the Lord. I leave in January and return at the end of the year, so the entirety of next year will be spent on the mission field.
This is my blog, well, it’s more than a blog. This is a page where people can partner with me on this opportunity. This is a page where I’ll post my thoughts, feelings, excitement, concerns.. you name it, it will be here. I will be updating this fairly regularly as I prepare, and I’ll continue to post while on the Race as well. If you would like to stay updated, subscribe to receive email alerts! Otherwise, keep an eye out on Facebook or Instagram because I’ll be sharing these posts there, as well.
Like I said, I’m super stoked to be going on the World Race, and I’m honored to be blessed with such a strong support system of friends and family to get me there!!
Love y’all,
Grace.
