For as long as I can remember, I knew God had instilled a love for travel and helping others in me. I could never decide what I wanted to do in the future. Travelling around the world and making a difference in people’s lives never seemed like a realistic option to me. The normal thing to do would be to go straight from high school to college, then get a job and work for the rest of my life. I didn’t want that to be it for me.
I wanted to go on crazy adventures, meet new people, immerse myself in new cultures, and make a difference. I wasn’t sure how all of that would be possible, until my mom and older brother went on their first mission trip to Haiti. They only went for a week, but still had so many life changing stories. I learned how God had changed them through this trip and how many people they impacted in such a short amount of time. That’s when I felt him calling me to do missions.
My freshman year, my cousin’s friends were telling me about an amazing 9 month mission trip called The World Race: Gap Year. Immediately, I knew this was my chance to travel around the world, live in completely different cultures, help others in need, and spread the word of God. I have the opportunity to build relationships I could’ve never dreamed to have, and see first hand how powerful God’s love truly is.
My senior year had finally arrived, which meant I could apply for this incredible opportunity. I am so very excited that I got accepted and will be going to Costa Rica, Cambodia, and Swaziland for 9 whole months. I can’t wait to see how this journey will change me and help me grow. I pray that I will truly make an impact on others, and this experience will impact me in amazing ways. I’m so thrilled to be walking alongside God in this next adventure.
