If you would have told me a year ago that I was going to sign up for a mission trip that would take me away from home for 3 months to countries I have never been to with people I have never met… I would have told you that you were crazy. But here I am, less than 5 months away from embarking on this journey!!!
When I was in high school, my classmates and I were constantly being asked to think about what we wanted to do with our lives. We were given options such as nurses, teachers, engineers, etc. I have always felt called to teaching, so that’s what I ran with. I am now entering my third year of college at Western Illinois University, QC where I am majoring in Elementary Education. I will officially be starting the education program next Monday!!!
When I was being asked to think about what I wanted to do with my life, it was always teaching. Even when I was little, I always wanted to play “school” while all of my other friends wanted to play “house” or “doctor”. However, my thoughts about teaching kind of changed when I was nearing the end of my sophomore year of high school. I still wanted to teach, but I started thinking about the idea of teaching and serving in other countries as a missionary. I mentioned this idea to a few of my close friends, and they thought I was crazy! I had no idea how I would go about doing this, so I pushed that idea to the back of my mind, but every once in a while, that thought would creep back into my mind and into my heart.
About a year ago, someone I hardly knew, but someone I now love to death (s/o to you Allyson <3) left for a gap year through the World Race. I followed her posts and blogs, and I knew in my heart that this was something I was longing for. This was what I felt called to. It wasn’t until I spent a few weeks in South Dakota this past summer while serving on 2 mission trips, that I started to really discern whether or not this was what I was called to do. Throughout the duration of those few weeks, I did nothing but wrestle and argue with the Lord, myself, and others. I asked, “Is it worth it to take a semester off of school?”, “Will it be worth it to leave my family for three months?”, “Do I really want to step out of my comfort zone and travel to another country while not knowing anyone?” The Lord answered YES to every single one of my questions, and I made a deal with Him while sitting in adoration. I told Him that if I was accepted, I would go… no questions asked- I’m sure He is sitting up there laughing at me right now!
This trip is still 5 months away, but so many new doors have opened. Right now, on August 13, 2019, at 12:45 am, I have no idea where my life is headed, but I know that whatever the Lord has planned for me will be good.
I will be praying for all of you, and I ask that you pray for me as I prepare to embark on this crazy journey!!!
-Mackenzie
