At 15 years old, God put a burning desire in my heart for Africa. My church sponsered a man from Kenya, and I still remember the first day I met him when he visited us. I was wide eyed and amazed listening to him tell stories about what life was like there. After he left, I searched and searched for ways to visit, but it never worked out. I came to realize that it wasn’t what God wanted me to do in that moment, and that I wasn’t ready. I knew that when the time was right, God would send me. He had to teach me a few things first..
As much as I would love to say that my walk with Christ has been a smooth and easy journey since 15 year old me, it hasn’t. Quite the opposite actually. However, I think that the most beautiful testimonies are the raw and ugly ones. The ones filled with struggles and setbacks. No one wants to feel pain, to be hurt, or to fail… but without these things I wouldn’t be who I am today and I am so thankful for them. My whole life I was raised in church. I very rarely missed a Sunday. My entire family is Christian, so it was easy for me to assume that I was too. I thought that because I went to church that I was saved. I was very wrong. I had absolutely no true connection or relationship with God, it was just a monotonous routine. When I entered high school, I began to stray away from everything I knew. I started avoiding going to church and slowly God rarely crossed my mind. I was consumed in, well, me. I only wanted to do what was “fun”. This got me into A LOT of trouble. I became disconnected with God and my family. After I graduated, it only got worst. I committed myself to unhealthy relationships and friendships that left me empty and unsatisfied. It was like I was searching for something to fill the void of sadness that had been in my heart for so long. Obviously, I had been searching in the wrong places. The mistakes I had made and the consequences of them slowly crept up on me. They became unbearable. The guilt, the pain, the thoughts of what I’d done, I couldn’t cope with them anymore. My previous coping mechanisms were no longer effective. I remember sitting outside, just me and my thoughts. I began to pray. Almost immediately, I felt this overwhelming joy, joy that I had never felt before. I knew that God was telling me it was going to be okay. All I had to do was lean on Him and trust that He was leading me to something amazing. Thats the moment I realized all my pain and suffering was going to be used for my own good. After this night, God put someone in my life that helped me find a church where I belonged. It was amazing how everything lined up to get me exactly where I was supposed to be. After attending this church for a few months, I was baptized by the most amazing man who soon became my best friend and second dad.
Six years later and a lot of lessons in between, my burning desire for Africa came back even stronger. I wasn’t searching for opportunities, it was just always in the back of my mind. Sometimes God is extraordinarily subtle… and other times He makes it 100% clear that He wants you to do something. Good thing I learned not to ignore Him. This is where the World Race comes in.. In the most odd and random places The World Race was brought up to me. Whether it be at work, family talking about it, or overhearing a conversation while I was out. It. Was. Everywhere. After contemplating it for some time, I decided to look into it. I applied for a spot, and told myself if I didn’t get it, that it was okay maybe it really wasn’t what God wanted me to do. Well what do you know.. I got the spot. Lord was I excited. Needless to say, this has been a journey FILLED with struggle but it has ultimately led me exactly where I needed to be. Always trust in Him. Trust in His timing, His voice. God is so good.
Jeremiah 29:11- “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
