For as long as I can remember, I have talked about traveling to Europe. When I was younger, I would stock pile books from both the library and the clearance bins at stores on all the different countries.
I still have a row of these travel books in my room today. I see them every morning when I wake up and love the thought of actually seeing these countries that have stolen my heart.
Since being home from the World Race, I have wondered when my turn would come when I would be able to use my passport to get on a flight not just my driver’s license. (see blog: http://gwendebaun.theworldrace.org/post/is-it-my-turn-yet) Just like always, Papa gave me the answer.
It started a few months ago, I was praying and wondering what to do this summer. I wanted to travel around the states, visit some family and friends, maybe even do school work. It came down to when I wanted to graduate. I realized I really wanted to graduate in December of this year, so summer classes were my best bet (which is what I am doing now). As my spring semester was ending and my summer classes starting, I felt stuck. I was talking with one of my friends at a coffeeshops telling here I have this big giant idea of what I want to do, but I have no idea what steps I need to take to get there.
The next day I was (finally) checking Facebook and saw on the WR Alumni page someone posted about a mission trip to England. My heart soared when I saw it, so I took a screenshot and honestly forgot about. Flash forward a weekish of doing homework, working, hanging out with my family and I sat down to start some homework in my room. I was about to bring up the webpage I heard Papa louder than I had in a long time.
Email her. He told me.
I knew exactly what He was talking about, this lady about the trip to England.
She got back to me quickly with a small brief on what the trip was about. I felt so much excitement as I was reading her words that I wanted to say “Yes” right then, but I knew I needed to pray about it. I messaged some close friends and asked for them to join me in these two days of deep prayer that I would be doing to see if this was what God wanted me to do or what I wanted to do.
During the first day of praying, every time I thought about England, my heart soared. I got happy fluttering butterflies in my stomach, smiles, laughter, infinite joy. I could barely contain it! When it came to praying about the finances, I felt insane peace. It seemed like nothing was standing in my way.
The second day during my prayers, I started praying about what we would be doing there. My contact mentioned there was a lot of evangelism and street ministry, which are not my strong points, but I figured, what a better way to get better at these than by doing them. Sure, I’m fine it they aren’t my ‘gifting’ but I would love to get to a point where I am more comfortable with them.
Thus, at the near end of my second day, my alarm went off to remind me to email my contact my decision. My mind and soul were set, Jesus wanted me to go to England. To a land that holds my heart and passions even though I have only seen pictures.
July 12 I leave from the Atlanta International Airport and fly out to London and then travel down to Bristol where the six of us will be working with Bristol City Centre Church, a branch on Kensington Baptist Church. We will enjoy a week of evangelism, street ministry, pouring into the small groups and church members. We will help with teachings and evenings of gathering.
I am unbelievably excited to go see this wondrous land of England, meet new people on this team and in the cities. Plus, Papa even opened up my schedule to allow me to stay a few extra days and talk with a potential church plant couple I have been speaking with for months in the states.
I am so excited for this next chapter of seeing a new land. I would love for you to join me in this adventure through prayer and even financial donations if you are able. Please visit my GoFundMe account for more updates and news about my trip as well as my social media pages!
https://www.gofundme.com/278pzr8
Peace & Prayers
