This last week (June 15th-19th) I got the chance to go to Oklahoma City for Youth America Camp. During this week I got to be a leader to 140 of our middle school and high school students. We played games, got competitive (GO GREEN TEAM!!!), played pranks, and overall had a blast. We also got to hear from many amazing speakers, worshipped God, some students raised their hands in surrender to God for the first time, some excepted Jesus Christ and devoted their lives to Him. Some spoke in tongues, and got called into full time ministry. Each individual had a unique, divine and personal connection with Jesus, including myself.
I went to OKC stressed out about all of my preparation for The World Race. Having to raise $1,500 in 2 weeks for my second deadline was absolutely crazy and brought me so much anxiety. Early in the week I made the decision to not worry or think about my finances while at camp but to completely focus on God and what He was about to do.
I continued to pray, asking God to provide for me. I was scared that when I got home I would look into my account to find that nothing had changed. That I would have the same amount of money that I did a month ago.
When we were driving home from camp I was more then scared and nervous to look at my account. I finally got up the nerve to look and can I just say that God never fails! During the 5 days that I decided to give up my worries, God provided me with $1,000!! No matter what you need, BIG or small, God will provide!! That $1,000 was just what I needed to be reminded that God has all of my worries in the palm of His hand. That I have no need to fear because its in His control.
Days after coming home I have been given another $540. I have now met my $9,000 deadline due at the end of June!!
Over all I need to raise $4,000 more!!!!! There is nothing normal about me raising $16,000 on my own. The only explanation to my fundraising is God. He has provided in ways I would have never imagined!!
During camp I also had another amazing encounter with God. I have only heard God speak to me once and I didn’t even know it was him until months later.. The last night at camp I kept asking God to speak to me. I was so desperate to just hear his voice! After a long time of praying during worship and not hearing anything specifically from God, they asked those who have been called to full time ministry to raise their hand. I don’t remember doing so, but the next thing I knew was that my hand was raised up high. At that moment I knew that I was being called into full time ministry.
If you would have asked me a few months ago where I wanted to go in life and my answer would have been to find a good job, get married and be a stay at home mom. It blows my mind how in a matter of a few months my whole world has flipped upside down!
I believe that everyone is called into ministry. That you can minister wherever you are whether in a pharmacy, school, hospital or fast food service. But I have been called to fully dedicate my life’s work to making the name of Jesus Christ known.
I don’t know where I’m called to. I don’t know if I’m called to be a missionary in another country, or a pastor. All I know is that for the rest of my life I will be serving Jesus Christ.
I ask that you pray that God opens my eyes to the things I love and the things He is calling me to. I hope that going on this trip that my heart will be opened to things I didn’t know that I loved. That I find new talents. That God guides me and shows me the place I can best be used by Him. I’m so ready to see specifically where God is calling me. I’m so excited to begin my ministry with Him.
Also continue to pray for finances. I am almost fully funded! I just have a little ways to go! Pray that God continues to provide and continues to stretch my faith in Him.
Thank you to all who have helped me get to the places I am at! Its been an amazing journey and has stretched me and my faith in God tremendously!!! My mind has been blown! God is so good and so awesome!!
