When I first got the phone call that I had been accepted onto the World Race, I was in complete shock. I was standing at the stove in my kitchen making myself an early dinner before running off to night class. I heard the vibrations from my phone sitting on the counter beside me and saw the screen light up with a number I didn’t recognize. The area code was from Georgia. I remembered that the number that had called to do my phone interview earlier that morning was also from Georgia. I felt my mouth go dry and my palms beginning to sweat. There was no way that they were already calling back to let me know if I was in or not. I had just interviewed six hours earlier. I scooped up my phone and answered, probably sounding a little bit out of breath. I don’t think I heard very much after the words “I would just like to congratulate you and welcome you onto August 2017, Route 2.” It was all so overwhelming and I only had two weeks to make my decision. Would I spend the next year after graduation as a missionary? Or would I do something else?
Over the course of the next two weeks I spent a LOT of time with the Lord trying to figure out if this was His plan for me. Although I feel that Abba doesn’t have just one singular plan for our lives, I wanted to be faithful and discerning in my decision. It would be all for nothing to commit to this without hearing from the Lord that it was right. I took a break from all social media so that I could use my free time to speak to God. The problem was that I spent a lot of my time speaking at the Lord and I wasn’t very good at waiting for His reply, but nonetheless He worked. As some of you know, I have the privilege of leading a worship community on campus called Vespers. It has been such an amazing place for me to sit at the feet of Jesus and to build community with others. On Wednesday of my second week after being accepted, with just two more days to decide, I was at Vespers. I was sitting with the three other leaders, Jesse, Justin, and Anosh, and we were praying for the evening and all of the people who would join us and I found that I just couldn’t speak. I felt absolutely silent. I turned to God in my journal and I heard him say loud and clear “I NEED you to STOP speaking for a bit here. Just listen to my voice, I have an answer!” And so I did. Throughout the rest of the evening as people came and we worshiped I just listened for the Lord and he showed up so clearly. He struck down my fears and anxieties and with absolute clarity He called me. He showed me that the World Race was most definitely in the plans for me.
I committed the very next day and got to tell all of my close friends and family the exciting news. I’ll admit, the responses were somewhat mixed. Most people responded with enthusiastic excitement for me and the journey ahead, but other voiced opinions of anxiety and fear for me. However, in the weeks since I officially committed the Lord has been FAITHFUL. In moments where I have experienced fear or doubt He has given me reminders of His call. In the face of opposition or criticism he has provided ample support to counteract it. When it has felt stressful He has gifted me with incredible peace. Most importantly, when it has been exciting he has given me a joyful song to sing. I have absolutely no doubts that Abba is doing a new and exciting thing in my life through the World Race, and although it will be incredibly challenging it will be SO GOOD.
If you’re already asking “Where are you going?” “When do you leave?” I have some answers for you. I will be embarking on my mission year THIS August, 2017! The exact date is TBD but as soon as I know, you will know. Although the route is subject to change for various reasons I am currently scheduled to go to India, Nepal, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, and Columbia in my 11 months on the field. I will be privileged to spend one whole month in each location.
If you’re still reading this insanely long post, THANK YOU. It is all so exciting and I look forward to continuing to share in this journey with you over the next two years as I prepare, and then eventually launch. Please keep me and my squad in your prayers!
–Kristen
