As I dive into this journey ahead of me, I feel so blessed to get to share it with you. I feel overwhelmingly loved with the support that is pouring! With that, I would love to share a little more as to why I chose to apply for the World Race:Semesters and why I chose the Philippines.
Originally, this summer I had the intention of studying abroad. But as that deadline approached, I was overwhelmed with stress and unrest as I felt a continual lack of peace with that decision. While I didn’t know it at the time, I feel that lack of peace was because the Lord was calling me to do something in a different direction. It wasn’t until I started looking into World Race and reading about their amazing work for the Lord’s kingdom that I felt at peace with my summer plans. This brought me so much joy and assurance that this was the Lord’s intended path for me at this time in my life.
My long-time best friend and I both applied for this route to the Philippines. We had been looking into doing a mission together for several months and had been very prayerful about that decision. We selected the Philippines according to our own strengths and desires in serving. Currently I serve in a children and youth ministry in inner city Phoenix and am constantly filled with so much joy even through challenges because of the relationships I have been able to build with the children. With my passion and several years of experience working in children’s ministry, I was naturally drawn to the Philippines because of their partnership with Kids International. I noticed that they had the mission statement of James 1:27, which is the same mission statement of the orphanage I have served with in Guatemala, so it is a verse that has been on my heart for a long time. I also did some additional research on Kids International and was further pulled in that direction knowing their core values and aspirations were teaching, loving, and serving the kids of the Philippines. While these three values may seem very standard for any ministry, it really spoke to my heart because my high school youth group that I grew up in had a motto of “teach, love, serve.” The simple correlation meant so much to me and reaffirmed my decision to apply to the Philippines.
Overall, this whole process really helped me understand the Lord’s hand in my life. There were several other routes I considered and would have loved to be a part of, but I selected to apply for the Philippines because of the confirmation I felt from the Lord that He will be able to use, grow, and challenge me no matter where I am. As long as I show His love and go into it with an open heart and mind, there was no wrong option. The Lord is so joyful over a servant’s heart, and it is amazing how he can tug our hearts to align exactly with His will.
I am so thankful for all your support and being alongside me in all my preparations!
