The question then became, what am I doing that is directing me towards missions and/or ministry? I realized my desk job was not educating me or giving me the experience I need to pursue the passions God has placed in my heart. This revelation encouraged me to take action. I mustered up the courage to contact Vanguard (my alma mater) to see if they were sending any alumni mission trips out this summer. Unfortunately they are not; however they asked if I would like to lead a team of students to the Dominican Republic and El Salvador for three weeks this summer, even better! I’m not just a participant; I get to lead and mentor a group of college freshmen, all of whom have never been on a mission trip before. I hope I can help stir a passion for missions in their hearts as well as expose them to what God is doing on a global scale.
In the Dominican Republic we will be partnering with International Youth Initiative. IYI is an organization that serves Youth ages 12-24. Our ministry will consist of anything and everything that involves youth. We will be running of a coffee shop ministry at the largest University in Latin America, children’s ministry, youth prison ministry and a lot of evangelism. IYI said our ministry opportunities are endless and if there is something we would like to do that the organization doesn’t currently provide they can make room for that as well. While the DR half of the trip is predominately evangelism based, in El Salvador we will be working with Enlace Ministries building a street for a village near Enlace, El Salvador. I’m glad the student’s will be exposed to both evangelism and serving.
We have weekly team meetings and just had our Intensive Training weekend. I am so impressed with my girls, they are all freshmen and this summer will be their Missions experience, but they’re age and lack of experience does not limit their capabilities. There was a day where each team was given $50 to do any type of service project we wanted. They really wanted the students to be creative in this activity and not have too much influence from the leaders. I was discouraged at first because they couldn’t grasp the fact that we could literally do anything we wanted. I tried hard not to offer my suggestions however they could not think of anything for the longest time. Each suggestion I gave they would jump on board and want to do it. Suddenly it clicked and they all decided they wanted to pay for soaps and cleaners and do people’s laundry. We cashed in our $50.00 and headed to the local laundry mat. We separated in teams of three. I was so curious how the students might do, I remember when I was a freshman in college I was petrified to talk to strangers. These girls had no fear and immediately went up to the customer’s in the laundry mat and had some incredible conversations. Their boldness, excitement and willingness to step out of their comfort zone blew me away! These girls are going to bring God’s Kingdom this summer; they are a force to be reckoned with. I am so excited for this next season God has planned for me. I’m nervous I will let the student’s down and that I will fail as a leader, but I know those are all lies. I truly feel this is where God is leading me and I know He never gives us anything we cannot handle.
We each have to raise about $3200 this summer. The cost hasn’t been solidified and as a leader I do not have to generate as much as the students, however I still need to raise support nonetheless. Support raising is always a difficult part of the missions experience, however if God is calling me to full time missions, I guess I should get used to it. I struggled a lot with whether or not send this letter to you, as most of you have continually supported me from past missions, especially the World Race. I am nervous to ask for support because I am afraid that you will think I am asking for money to send me on a fun travel adventure. Yes there is travel involved, yes there is adventure but it’s so much more than a fun trip abroad. We will be spreading God’s truth to the nations and as an individual I get to witness God transform the hearts of these college women and watch them rise up as powerful daughters of the Almighty God.
Blessings,
Kimi Cantrell
(707) 592- 1744
PS. Another step I have taken towards pursuing whatever it is God is calling me to do, is I have applied to Seminary. I have been accepted to Dallas Theological Seminary and Fuller Theological Seminary. I haven’t decided which school I will attend, but I will be starting classes in the fall!
