I’ve been sitting here at my computer for about an hour, wondering what to say in this first post on this new blog. Actually, to be honest, this is about the fifth hour I’ve spent sitting here at my computer, wondering what to say in this first post on this new blog. Blogging usually comes naturally, so my writer’s block has been confusing… it’s been concerning, frankly. I knew I didn’t just want to open this whole thing with a, “Hi there, I’m going on a missions trip and I need your support.” And I mean, yes, there will be posts here where I ask for support, both financial, emotional, and prayer, because that’s a very real aspect of this opportunity, and a very real need. But I know that, while some of you are friends and family, some of you are also strangers, some of you live across the country or world, and some of you don’t know me very well. And I want to share my heart with you. I want you to know why I’m here, writing on this first post on this new blog.
For those of you who simply followed this link because I put it on Facebook or because someone told you to click on it, and for those of you who I’ve met (and some who I haven’t) and want to be a part of this ever-changing story (my ever-changing story), thank you. As in, times a billion. Thank you for giving me a couple minutes of your time and for meeting me where I’m at. If you’ve never heard of it, allow me to tell you a little bit about this crazy opportunity I have to travel to 11 countries and live out of a backpack and share Jesus with people.
After I graduate in December, I will be partnering with Adventures in Missions and taking part in the World Race: an 11-month missionary journey reaching into 11 different countries to serve “the least of these” in Jesus’ name. Starting in January 2017, I will be traveling to India, Nepal, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Greece, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Botswana, Swaziland, and South Africa. Each day looks different on the Race. Some days will be packed full with construction, VBS, building relationships with orphans, or praying for the sick at a hospital. Other days will include cooking for those in the community, shopping for groceries for those who cannot do so themselves, and spending time praying for the neighborhoods we walk through.
Throughout my college experience, but especially this past year, God has been teaching me about Himself in many amazing ways. I’ve grown to know Him as a true redeemer; someone who takes the messiness of my life and turns it into something glorious. God has been gracious in allowing me to find a wonderful church and campus ministry in Greeley. God has also placed tremendous role models and leaders in my life—women who push me to live out the calling that He has placed on my life. He has been so faithful to me, and I want to be obedient by giving Him my life, my time, and my agenda for the future. The World Race has been on my heart ever since I took a school field trip to the YWAM (Youth With A Mission) base in Colorado Springs as a sixteen-year-old, and five years later, I am saying “Yes!”
So, that’s all awesome. God is awesome, and telling people about him is awesome. But can I let you in on the reason I think it’s taken me so long to write this? I think it’s because, as I get down to the nitty gritty details of the Race, and I think about the fact that I have to raise as much support as I paid for two entire years of college, and I remember that I’ll be missing two of my best friends’ weddings, and I question what would happen if one of my parents got sick while I was gone or my sister and her husband had a baby while I was gone, I get really scared. SO scared. And I don’t know what I do with that fear, besides just cry out to God and tell him that I can’t do this on my own. There is no part of this I can accomplish by myself. I can’t make the Race happen of my own strength, just like I couldn’t make this blog post happen by myself. But here I am, 700 words later, feeling the strength and presence of God in a way that I know is uniquely from him.
I know that’s kind of a lot, and I can’t promise you that these posts won’t be a lot. But I hope that doesn’t scare you away. Keep checking back (or just subscribe), because the one thing I can promise is that God is working and doing amazing things. And I would love for you to be a part of that.
-J
