For a long time now, I have had a heart for missions. I have always loved helping people and knew that God was going to guide me in what He wanted me to do.
Being a senior and having to think about my future scares the heck out of me. I have shot around so many ideas of who I want to be when I grow up… from detective to teacher to princess.
After going to Russia, I know what God wants me to do. God wants me to go out into the world and spread His word. He wants me to go where love is needed… where His love is needed. Before the trip, I was hoping that my plans for the future would be made a little more clear. They were made crystal clear by God with the help of a little boy named Andre.
The last night of the camp, everyone was invited to go up and pray. I went up there and Ryan, Audrey, Claire, and I along with some of our Russian friends all huddled together and prayed. After our prayer, I look back and my little friend, Andre, whom I had really connected with throughout the time we were there, was crying. Not misty-eyed crying but full on crocodile tears crying. I went over and got him, and I went looking for our youth pastor,Dan. When I found Dan, I couldn’t get any words out. I was so overcome by emotion and God’s grace that I was literally left speechless. Dan prayed over Andre and we went and sat back down to finish worship.
Later that night, God was asking me to do more. God was asking me to pray with and for Andre. So after the fireworks they surprised us with, I pulled Andre and our translator, Irina, to the side. I prayed for Andre. I don’t remember what I prayed for but I know it was God’s words, not mine. What I do remember however, was the feeling of God calling me to do something more. I felt God speaking to me and telling me that He wants me to do mission works.
This was the defining moment that made me choose missions. The love we felt for those kids and the heartbreak God made us go through when we left, challenged me and shook me to my core. Those moments are something I will treasure. I can not wait to have more moments like that.
