It was the summer of 2013 when I first heard about The World Race (WR) from a co-worker at the little pub I worked at. He was handing out his prayer cards, sharing a little bit about what his trip would look like and kindly asked if anyone would like to support him prayerfully or financially. Although I have had a heart for missions for years, my heart was elsewhere that summer (a post to follow in the future) so I said, “cool” and didn’t really think about it again or feel called to support him (especially since I was a poor college student who was trying to support myself now living off campus).
February 2014 I found myself searching the internet for organizations that went to Africa doing ministry and randomly came across The World Race. As I began to devour their website I felt this information seemed familiar and then I remembered back to the previous summer when Kyle introduced The World Race to me. I watched the video that explained WR and my heart had been captured. I began to read blogs for hours on end everyday. The more I read the more I could feel this passion, this calling, the Holy Spirit prompting me to not let go the idea of possibly taking this journey in the future!
As months went on I prayed earnestly for the Lord’s direction in my life. I mean, I already knew that one of my callings was to become a Nurse and when that journey came to a pause I began to second guess that calling and considered jumping into The World Race right away! The thought of ending my complicated journey to Nursing to do missions sounded much easier than having to wait to finish Nursing school before doing missions. (Read my pre-nursing journey here: http://africangirl4life.blogspot.com/2014/05/right-where-he-wants-me.html). But the Lord’s timing is always better than our own.
Summer came around and I found myself accepted into the Nursing programme, I was curious how WR would be incorporated into my life and WHEN! With more prayer and seeking His will for my life I felt Him guiding me and calling me to apply for September 2015 (which would be right after I graduated Nursing in July) and if that really wasn’t His timing for me then the door would close.
As October opened up the application for September 2015 routes, I prayed, applied and waited. One month with the whole process, I was accepted! Thrilled, relieved and nervous at the same time, I couldn’t believe that what I thought was His will for my life might truly be the path I’m walking now! I find myself second guessing what I feel the Lord telling me or calling me to do all the time. I allow Satan to fill me with fears and uncertainties, but by being persistent and faithful in desiring to seek the Lord I am reminded of His faithfulness.
Not gonna lie – through this whole process I think,”Why did it take so long for my heart to respond to my calling for missions that I have had for so many years?” The answer – the Lord had things He knew I needed to go through and learn before my heart would be as prepared as it is now, so He protected my mission heart for when it would be ready to respond for what He is calling me to do.
“Arise Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you. Darkness as black as night covers the earth, but the glory of the Lord rises and appears over you. All the Nations will come to Your light; mighty kings will come to see You radiance.” Isaiah 60:1-3
