Hello family, friends, acquaintances, and anyone else who may stumble upon this link,
For those of you that don’t personally know me, I am a sophomore at Carroll University studying exercise science and psychology with a new emphasis on Chiropractic. However, I’ve recently decided to take next semester off of school (I know, cue the gasps). When I first entered college into a prestigious direct admittance Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program, it kind of seemed like my life was already laid out in front of me for the next six years, which was nice … at the time. For those of you that do know me, you know I stress about everything. And I mean like, everything everything. Which is why my world was turned upside down in a 90 mph-twisty-six-flags-rollercoaster kinda way when the Lord Almighty told me it was time to walk away from that program and take a step of faith beyond my comfort zone.
Now, it’s not that I just woke up one day and decided it was time for a break from the studies. It just sort of happened. Ever since I went on my first missions trip to the Dominican Republic about 4 years ago, I’ve obtained a passion for serving God and His people. One that consumes all 5 feet, 4 inches of me, and then some. A big part of me for the past couple of years has felt the urge to pursue missions, but I always felt like I was doing something wrong — I mean, you should’ve heard my parents’ initial reactions. But something I’ve been learning a lot lately is that if you aren’t happy with your life, do something about it!! Don’t get me wrong, I fully intend to return to school next fall, but right now, God has other plans and I’m rolling with ‘em. Thankfully, Adventures in Missions allows me to unapologetically follow His path while going into the world and evangelizing through a program called the World Race: Semesters.
I first heard about the World Race while on my trip to the Dominican Republic a few years ago when one of the college students on the trip had just returned from it. She had done the full 11 countries in 11 months trip, and the way she talked about it just completely captivated me. I figured there was no way I could ever convince my parents to let me do that, so I looked into The World Race: Semesters program. Through this program, I’ll be spending mid January through the very end of April in Southeast Asia… while living out of one backpack. My trip will kick off in Thailand where a group of other college-aged students and I will be teaching English to children, evangelizing to women who have been victims of human trafficking, and spending time with the native people. We will then travel to Cambodia where we will work with New Hope Orphanage teaching English to the kids, leading Bible studies, and working with local pastors.
With all that being said, there is a lot that’s going to be going on for these short months before my team and I embark on this onceinalifetime journey. I have to be mentally prepared, as realistically, these next few months are going to be the most uncomfortable I’ve experienced yet. I love nature just as much as the next guy, but the only tent I’ve ever slept in has been in my backyard. Not to mention the showering from buckets and living amongst bugs the size of my head with names I can’t even pronounce. However, after working at a camp for the entire summer (some of my most spiritually challenging months yet), God has shown my worn-out self how to be comfortable with being uncomfortable if it means spreading His truth to those around me. And trust me, I very well know that the months I spend in Thailand and Cambodia will be nothing short of me questioning why I even thought this was a good idea. Yet, it will also be a time full of growth, discovery, learning, serving, and a grocery list of other things. By taking this leap of faith, I’ll have the opportunity to show others the love that I have received, which is pretty darn exciting if you ask me.
I would be lying if I said I wasn’t filled with hundreds, if not thousands, of different emotions while preparing for this next season. Between the thoughts of not knowing anyone I will be spending months in a foreign country with, the mystery meats I will be eating, and the approximate ten (maybe??!!) shirts that will fit in my one backpack for the entire couple months, it’s safe to say I’m anxious and fearful for what is to come. But more than that, I’m filled with joy. Joy that fills me because I know my God is a God of unwavering love to sustain me in my doubts. Joy that is constant in reminding me I am exactly where I need to be, for I am confident in that statement more now than I ever have been before.
