I have been on many different mission trips in the last few years. Most of them have been through my church or my Baptist Student Union group when I was in college. I have been to places such as New Orleans, LA, Gulfport, MS, Savannah, GA and Lakeshore, MS among a few other places. In the summer of 2009 while I was on a mission trip with World Changers in New Orleans I felt that God was leading me to devote my whole summer next year completely to him. At the time I was not sure where he wanted me to go or what he wanted me to do I was just trying to seek his face and be in his will. So I tried to apply for many different mission groups that I thought would be in my comfort zone. God eventually led me to apply to be a Summer Missionary through the North American Mission Board. This was way out of my comfort zone!! I had to pick three places I would be willing to go and they would select the one that they thought was best for me. Well they chose for me to go to Arizona which was my last choice and the furthest away from home. I had no clue what to expect and how it was all going to work out. But in May 2010 I headed to Arizona and was there for a month and a half. It was one of the best experiences I have ever had and I am so glad that I had the opportunity to go. God really stretched my faith and I grew a lot in him through that trip. I went back to Arizona last summer to serve again for two weeks at the same Kids Camp I had served at in 2010. So that gives you a little background on the mission trips I have been to so far.
Since I came home from Arizona this last summer and while I was there in 2010 I knew God was calling me to something bigger than the life that I was living at home in Georgia. I had thought about maybe he was calling me to missions but I was so afraid of what would come of that and how it would all work out. I had been running from it. Well that was all about to change! At a Sunday night service in the middle of July my church's youth had just got back from youth camp and were telling about their experiences there. At the end our youth minister brought the message and then he showed a video. The video was all about how we as Christians need to be going out into to the world and spreading God's word. It talks about how we shouldn't wait and not to let fear get in our way. After the video our youth minister prayed and I knew God was calling me to missions. I went down to the alter and accepted my call into the mission field.
After I accepted my call I began to seek God's face and see where he would like me to go next. I started looking into different places to go but nothing was really catching my eye and sticking out to me. Then shortly after I accepted my call to the mission field a young girl came to our church to speak about a mission trio she would be going on in a few months. Guess what trip it was?? Of course it was the World Race. She left in October and is on the field now. After leaving that service I was not even considering it. It was soooo far out of my comfort zone and so expensive. At the time it just seemed impossible. I was happy for her but I just didn't think it was right for me. Well God had another plan! He kept on leading me back to the world race website and eventually gave me the courage to apply. I thought I would never get accepted but I did!
I will be going to 11 different countries and will be gone for 11 months!! This blows my mind every time I think about it! God must think I am really strong because I have no clue how I am going to get through this. I will be going to Ireland, Ukraine, Russia, Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, India, Nepal, Cambodia, and Malaysia. My team will be partnered with local churches, hospitals and orphanages and we will also have the opportunity to minister to women and children who have been in prostitution and dealt with human trafficking. I hope to be able to show all of these countries God's love and the hope that they can have in him.
I am completely terrified and scared to see what God has in store for me. I have a lot of money to raise and a short time to do it. But, I know that God will provide the way and I just have to trust in him. I am excited to see what God is going to do through this trip. Thanks for reading and for your prayers, encouragement, and support!! If you would like to donate please click on support me and it will guide you through the steps!
Here are some bible verses that have inspired me and help to encourage me.:
2 Corinthians 5:17, Matthew 5:14-16, Philippians 4:13, Romans 8:37-39, Matthew 19:26
Watch this!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPOZNkXIjKc&feature=player_embedded
