My mama always told me it wasn’t about “who I am,” but instead “WHOSE I am?”
I am a princess…the daughter of the King of Kings. It has taken 23 years of my life to grasp what that even means. I was “fearfully and wonderfully made” by the Prince of Peace. He is my Heavenly Father and loves me more than I can possibly comprehend. The Alpha and Omega knows my name, and he knows that it is pronounced like this “CAR-EEEEE”.
My name is Khari Chanel Johnson and I was born and raised in Southern California by my incredible parents. I grew up in a Christian home, attended Christian schools, and went to church every Sunday. I can name all 66 books of the Bible (happy to sing them on request) and have never received anything less than an “A” in Theology class. I’ve always known that Jesus loves me, because well the Bible tells me so (as do my parents), but it’s taken more than the Christian education to realize that He wants more than love from me, He wants to know me. I’m still trying to figure out what a relationship with Him entails. I always told myself that I would take my faith more seriously when I “grew up”… when I was in high school… when I went to college… when I had my own apartment. I’ve finally decided to stop making excuses and enter into a serious relationship with Jesus Christ.
Enter: The World Race
I just figured what better way to get to know the Creator of the Universe than pack a backpack, travel around the world for 11 months, and have Him show me all that He created. No big deal, right?
WRONG.
First of all, the idea of carrying around a backpack and living out of a tent and sleeping bag for 11 months scares me the most, like MORE than eating grasshoppers (plus I’ve read that toasted with a little salt, they are quite tasty).
Second, Nature and I aren’t really good friends. I mean I think she is really beautiful, but I prefer to observe from a distance. I’ve never felt the need to immerse myself in her presence aka bugs are enemies, not friends. Cockroaches are extremely problematic for me (I went on a missions trip to Belize and stayed in a “resort” that was appropriately renamed to “The Shack” complete with tarantulas… It really changed a girl. Please reach out to me if you need a good horror story in your life).
So, why would I go on a crazy adventure like this then?? I have no idea. Part of me thinks I’ve lost my mind.
The other part of me realizes that this is something that I have to do, something that I was called to do. I have a hunger for culture and a thirst for knowledge, and an unwavering desire to change the world (or at least try). I need to go out into the world and “serve the least of these.” God is calling me to abandon everything that I know and everything that I have and to “go and make disciples of ALL nations.” I’m deserting my possessions, quitting the dream job, and saying goodbye to my precious family ALL so that I can completely lose myself and then rediscover myself in Him.
And that’s WHOSE I AM.
Here are some fun facts about me:
-
My daddy is WHite and my mama is blACK. (I’m WHACK, get it?)
-
My sister is my better-half – more joyful, more kind, more beautiful. Without her, I am nothing.
-
I’m a foodie, so I really just love food in general. If you’d like me to stop talking about it, then don’t bring it up.
-
Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson are the artists most played on my iPod. I’m still really emotional that they are gone.
-
Seeing really large underwear just makes me laugh hysterically. (I’m laughing right now just thinking about it.)
-
When I’m annoyed, belting out any ballad (Whitney tends to do the trick) at the top of my lungs tends to help with my anger. I’m actually a really amazing singer, ask anyone. The shower is my stage.
-
Big fan of musicals. Blame my grandmother. I wish people would burst out in song and choreography in real life.
-
I’d rather eat than cook. I’m happiest when I’m in the kitchen with my mama and she’s feeding me.
-
I’m not an athlete. I don’t know what P.E. stands for because I didn’t take it in high school, I took it online.
-
Usually spend the weekends at home watching Disney movies with my sister (Christian upbringing remember? Nothing else was appropriate and the rules haven’t really changed.)
-
Iguana is delicious. The perfect texture balance of chicken and steak.
-
The only movie I’ve ever cried in was Star Wars, when Anakin turned to the dark side to try and save Padme. (If that’s not true love, I don’t know what is.)
-
J’adore la France: la cuisine, la langue, la culture, et les croissants.
I hope this has provided you with a better understanding of who I am and what I am about. I hope that you will continue following my journey on the World Race by subscribing to my blog. Please pray for me (Lord knows I need it). Consider supporting me financially and watch how God blesses your life. I hope that the stories of God radically changing my life and the lives of the many people I will serve will inspire you. I pray that these stories will strengthen your relationship with Jesus Christ and will equip you for the dark battle that lies within American borders.
XOXO,
Khari Chanel
