We were asked to write a blog about how we were called to do this mission trip. Here is my story…….
God has carefully shaped me and prepared me for each specific moment in which He has presented to me throughout my life. Every situation, relationship and experience has been carefully constructed and given to me as a blessing. Every joy and every challenge has been carefully sewn together into an intricate puzzle that is His story for my life. He has presented me with many different paths of opportunity but always with a choice…..a choice to follow Him.
Throughout a life of incredible blessings, I haven’t always chosen the path of following Him – at least not in full trust. My intentions have been good by nature, but with myself at the center and my personal goals and desires clouding my vision. Since I started my relationship with the Lord my Junior year of college….I have to admit, I have had one foot in- and one foot out….just in case following Him was inconvenient or difficult, I always had an easy way out and a list of excuses.
There are many moments in which God put before me that led up to my decision to go on the World Race. I have always had a heart for working with people and serving the Lord. The opportunity to work with at-risk youth in New York sparked my desire to serve, in particular…those in need. Throughout college I began to realize that it wasn’t only those who were classified as “in need” by society that needed the Lord, but the friends, family, and co-workers I encountered every day. I then realized that not only did I have a heart for service work, but wanted to tie in the message of Jesus – Hence, I became a High School youth group leader at my church. The students I worked with were incredible in their selfless desire to know God. We would discuss life questions, hot topics, teen issues, and biblical questions. I desired for them to know God, and for them to learn from all my mistakes. I wanted them to understand how much God loved them and prayed for them to follow Him. We talked about missions and life, but I began to realize that I wanted this relationship so badly for my girls and encourage them to not limit themselves and to truly trust God – and all long I wasn’t seeking this out in my own life.
I have had a deep desire for mission work since high school but have never acted upon it due to my own fears, and telling myself I was not worthy enough. For six months after I found out about the World Race, I lined up a stack of excuses for why I couldn’t go on this trip, and how it would be simply impossible for “someone like me.” I didn’t have the money, I couldn’t leave my job and ever be successful again, I didn’t want to lose my house, I wasn’t spiritually ready, I had loved ones that I would miss too much, and frankly…it just seemed crazy! Over the past six months, God has consistently broken down the doors of every excuse I could come up with. He continues to open doors pointing me in the direction of missions in a way that I can’t deny. With this trip, I am laying down all my fears, selfish desires, and excuses and going all in. I am giving it all up to God in ultimate trust to use me in the nations as He wishes. Not only do I know I am very clearly being called to this mission trip to touch the lives of people over seas…but I strongly feel that I am being called to this trip to rock the foundation of my family and friends in ways that inspire them to take risks, follow God and do great things. I can’t wait for you to go on this journey with me. Thank you for reading my heart.
“Grace Falls” – PERU by Krissy Whaley
