I'm pretty sure somewhere in my support letter it says something like "I knew I always wanted to go" but that isn't entirely true. I remember when and where I was the first time I felt that teeny tiny prickle on my heart. You know that one what makes you a little uncomfortable? I believe we call it conviction. Anyway in 2008 I was sitting at church and a young, beautiful couple was explaining how their organization, LUO, worked in Nicguara. The village they were working with was a dump. I mean it. These people literally lived in trash heaps. Lindsay explained how the young girls were prostitued out so that their parents would have first dibs at the garbage, yes garbage, to resell. My heart literally broke and Lindsay's words and mission bounced around in my mind for days and then weeks. It was the following weeks that I began to understand why people described their calling as a burden. I was burdened for these people.
I finally graduated from college this past December and I began the much dreaded job search. I was desperately seeking the Lord and was praying for my one yes. I knew that if I was offered mulitple jobs that I would get all worked up about which one to take so I prayed for one. The problem with only one yes is that you get a lot of no's. It was during these awful days filled with applications, job descriptions, resumes, and cover letters that I stumbled upon the World Race. I had never heard of it before. I breifly read the description and filled out the application without much thought. I thought it sounded completely crazy, too crazy even for me, and I didn't think anything would come of it.
I had been church shopping since moving to Nashville and went to a new church the following Sunday. I walked in alone, finally found a seat and debated leaving during the worship because I hated being surrounded by so many peoople and yet I was still alone. The lights came back on and I read the sermon seris. Honesty about where you are and hope for where you are going. That morning the pastor preached being obedient to whatever the Lord is calling you to. There was also guest speakers from missionaries in Haiti encouraging us to obey when the Lord calls us to go. I couldn't deny that missions had been placed on my heart and my radar.
A few days later I recieved an email telling me to set up an interview. I honestly was kind of shocked. No one else had responded to any of my applications. I set up the interviewed and fasted before I interview. I prayed that my words would accurately reflect the work the Lord has done and is doing in my life. I wanted my heart to be communicated clearly. It wasn't until after the interview that I realized how badly I wanted to do this. The more I thought and prayed about it the more I really wanted to go. How could I pass up such a crazy and rare opportunity?
I got the acceptance call at 2:30 on a Tuesday. I was honestly speechless. Seriously. (For the record: this is unheard of for this communication major.) I was in that state of shock for about 30 minutes before I could tell anyone. I didn't go online immediately to confirm my spot because I wanted to double check with the Lord before I committed. I wish I could express how excited I am to be a part of this. I can't imagine the things I will encounter or the people that I will meet and grow to love. I do know that the Lord has been preparing me for this and will NEVER forsake me so I said yes.
