So. I’m going on an 11 month missions trip to 11 different countries…what?
Do you ever think to yourself “is this real life?” I do. All. The. Time.
When I moved to Charlotte 10 months ago I did so with a desire for change, and a new start. Boy, did God deliver.
Hearing about the World Race was intriguing to say the least. An 11 month trip to 11 different countries, abandoning everything I know, and giving God complete control of my life? Crazy. But even thinking it was crazy, there was a part of me that thought it would be so amazing to be a part of such a great mission. However, I remember disqualifying myself immediately: I just started a new job. I have a dog. I have WAY too many bills. I could never fundraise that much money. I don’t know anything about the world. I couldn’t possibly make a difference in people’s lives. The chatter went on and on. So I continued to live my life, all the while the thought of traveling and ministering to others looping in the back of my mind.
Then in June I got let go from my job. Yes, the job I had moved to Charlotte for just 7 months prior. We’re not going to go into that, but lets just say it was the biggest blessing of my life. The NO that I received from Man turned into a huge YES from God. Not long after this turn of events did I realize that I was being called to something much greater than myself.
It took me several weeks to come to terms with the direction my life had taken. I was thrown back into the job search world, while combating thoughts that I’d failed at my job, failed my degree, failed my parents, failed life in general. But God knew my heart and everything I am while I was busy thinking of everything I wasn’t. He helped me uncover the truth about my passions and purpose, and put me on a path of self discovery.
I wish I’d written down the day that I realized God was calling me to the World Race. I have an impression in my mind, an “ah ha!” moment where I finally understood why everything was happening the way it was. If it hadn’t been for my move to Charlotte, attending Elevation Church, joining my eGroup and meeting Paris who’d just got back from the race, dealing with a broken relationship, and losing my job, who’s to say that I would have ever figured out that my desire to travel and to love people could be used for God’s glory?
After making the decision to pursue this new adventure I began to do more research. I learned that I’d be a part of a squad of 30-50 people, broken down in to smaller teams of people that I’d be surrounded by on a constant basis. Have you ever heard that God has a sense of humor? Well He does. Until this year I would have told you that I don’t really like people. So joining a 30-50 person squad sounds like a good idea right? Wrong. But God has taught me through my small group that it’s ok for people to be different, to have opposing views and opinions; these are the things that make us uniquely us and enables us to grow and learn as God’s children.
It’s funny to look back on the last year of my life. It’s so very clear that God has been with me the whole time, lighting my steps day by day. He’s been preparing me through relationships, experiences, and interactions for the journey ahead. I am so grateful for everything He’s shown me and everything He will reveal in the future.
I hope that you will follow along as I make my way through this crazy thing called life! You can subscribe to my blog to receive updates about what I’m up to, and you can also contribute through prayer, financial support, and words of encouragement!
Thank you SO much for taking the time to read my first [published] blog! I can’t wait to see how God continues to work!
