5 years ago I never would have imagined myself in this position. Heck, 6 months ago I never would have imagined myself preparing to leave the country for close to a year. If you told me this is what I would be doing…I would tell you that it was a mistake, you were talking about the wrong girl.
I grew up in a world of athletics. It always took precedence in my life. I went to a Christian secondary school that allowed a few opportunities for international missions that I let pass me by. My freshman year of high school I got varsity playing time because my teammate went on a 2-week mission to Africa. I learned sign language through the deaf ministry at my church, but when a group drove down to Mexico, I opted out. I never looked back. In 2012 when I was considering doing an internship at my church, I let my collegiate volleyball career take priority, again. One of the only things holding me back was being scared of doing an international or domestic mission. Yet here I am. God doesn’t just use those who are bred for this. He shows those who never thought they could do missions, that by His grace they can. I look back and wish that I had gone to Mexico, Bolivia, or Paraguay… But now God has me where I am supposed to go. ASIA. Now I will have the opportunity to wholeheartedly serve God for 11 months, undivided and in wholly pursuit of my beautiful maker.
Proverbs 3:5-6Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.
I now know that it was all in God’s timing. Maybe the next 11 months will make me fall completely in love with missions and I wasn’t ready for that at 15 or even 20. Here I am ready to set out and see God’s heart for these 11 countries. I am ready to see God use me for HIS purpose. As I think about my journey ahead I remember the tattoo on my brothers arm: Isaiah 6:8. “Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?”
I said, “Here I am. Send me.”
