Nothing comes for free. It is kind of like there is a price to pray no matter what decision or path we choose in life. And I think the price one is willing to pay depends on the priorities in life. My price to pay in order to go back overseas for 4 months? A lot.
Leading a Passport Trip for Adventures in Missions never really crossed my mind. I knew my place was to be home with my family, friends and church. Though there was always this deep longing in my heart to get back overseas. And then it all happened, an event that would change the immediate course of my future.
I applied for nursing school- the best one in Denver and surrounding region. Made it from 800 applications to the 300 interviews. Now they were cutting that number in half. I waited patiently for the email/phone call/letter. It finally came. I was not accepted. I haven’t experienced too much rejection like this in my life, so this was a tough one. I have always excelled in school and academics so to be rejected from the school I had planned on since high school was a big blow to my ego.
That same day a post came on Facebook- relaying the message that AIM was desperate for leaders for their Spring Passport trip. Okay God, is this the thing where ‘one door closes another one opens?’ I think so. And even though school wouldn’t have started until June anyway- the opportunity to lead a trip seemed like the perfect timing.
Word came today that I was accepted to be a leader for this trip. I will be going on the Central America Expedition which goes to El Salvador, Costa Rica and Panama leading a group of 5 women and 2 men with one other co-leader. I found out all this and ran down the hall screaming and skipping. Yes I am excited. I truly never thought this is what I would be doing with my life during this season, but apparently God had other plans.
But what is the price to pay since I am leaving with less than a month’s notice. (At least for the World Race I had like 9 months to prepare). I will be spending my birthday overseas. Lent and Easter away from church. Dogsitting for my Pastor. Missing a couple of super awesome concerts. Worship. A wedding. My mom’s graduation from college. A lot will be happening in these 4 months I am away. So the question is: going overseas as a leader this time worth missing all of that? And though it is tough to disappoint after committing to things, the answer is Yes. I am willing to pay the price of missing all these fabulous events back at home in the States in order to serve/live overseas once again. There will be more birthdays, more concerts, more dogsitting, more worship services, more Easters, more weddings. There is but this one chance to go on this trip. And I can’t wait!
