Hey y’all! So this is my very first blog post…not counting the good ol’ Xanga days. I’ve always found it very difficult to put my thoughts into a clear and orderly fashion, so please bare with me. This upcoming journey is dear to my heart, feel free to follow my words along the way so you don’t miss a beat!
As most of you know, I am a believer of Jesus Christ. He has given me a never ending itch for His world and has planted missions in my heart. Four years ago, the Lord slowly began to show me His work all over the world through documentaries, YouTube videos and various online articles. With all He showed me, I began to understand that the plans I had for myself were not the plans that God had for me. His plans were and still are much bigger than I will ever know…
So the story goes, I dropped out of college and began studying at Christ For The Nations Institute in Dallas, TX. I studied Biblical Theology and began building a solid foundation for my personal faith. My three years at CFNI were easily the most arduous and best years of my life, such a rewarding time for me. My beliefs were blossoming and I received powerful teaching that I will never forget. I encountered God in new ways and His presence invaded my heart and mind daily. I think He knew I needed it amongst the challenges that come with living with multiple girls in a tiny dorm! However, I couldn’t imagine CFNI life without them, I loved my roomies!
My last year at CFNI, I studied in the school of Global Missions and fell even more in love with the nations of the world! I made the choice to follow my calling to an internship in the Philippines for a life changing four months. It felt unreal to finally be serving the gift that God gave me, the people of Asia. I met some of the most wonderful people and still call them friends to this day. I keep memories in my heart of all the little children and their big grins as we danced and sang together. My dreams were coming true, I was no longer learning of a culture from a distance, I was living life with them.
After many tearful farewells, the time had come for me to return to America. HELLO reverse culture shock! I stepped off this high of experiencing new things, new people and a new way of life into REALITY. All of a sudden I’m back home and welcomed by a scary sense of not belonging. Fear struck pretty deep and I cringed at the thought of getting “stuck” in Dallas, TX. I felt a sudden urge to hit the ground running and make something happen because after all, Janet knows best! I joined a missions agency, made plans to raise my funds and move to Thailand for two years. Missionary Job Security: CHECK! Sounds pretty perfect, right? Well, it didn’t all go down as I would’ve hoped. Reality kicked in and I knew I wasn’t ready for all of what was to come. I began to doubt whether or not this was my next step. I spent months agonizing over what I was suppose to do and felt more and more unsettled as the time passed. I decided I would take time off from everything in my life, except my job. I needed to simplify my life and find inner joy again. Then, out of nowhere, God introduced me to a little (not so little) thing called The World Race. My eyes became like the emoji with the heart eyes, wide and interested! The researching began, whether it was videos or word of mouth, I wanted to know more. I fell in love! I summoned the courage to apply and set up an interview shortly after. Honestly, there wasn’t this big, booming voice from heaven that told me to do it. I had to overcome my fear of failing (another day, another blog post) and take a “leap of faith”, as they say. The word of my acceptance was my green light to hit the road, or should I say ocean? The peace and joy in my mind was enough confirmation for me. My heart was no longer unsettled and the journey had begun!
So here’s a little bit about the trip…
• I will be gone for 11 months starting in September and will be going to the following countries (one each month):
India, Nepal, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Japan, China, Mongolia, and the Philippies
- While on the race the team and I will serve through partnership with churches
and ministries and work in orphanages. We will also be ministering to women and children who are victims of prostitution as a result of human trafficking, and bring restoration and hope through the love and power Jesus Christ to many tribes and nations! - The total cost of the trip is $16,255. This will cover meals, lodging, and travel by land, sea, and air, as well as my travel insurance for the 11 month mission.
Please prayerfully consider partnering with me on this mission by making a one time donation or becoming a monthly donor! All donations are tax deductible. 🙂
If you have any questions about what I am doing or how you can support me, please do not hesitate to ask!
Sending much love to all of you.
P.s. The link to give online is on the left side of this page that says “Support Me!” and if you would like to give by check please email me your address so I can send you a support card with instructions on how to do that.
