How I was Called to the Mission Field

We were asked to write a blog about we were called to this mission trip. Here is my story..

 

My sophomore year in college I went on my first mission trip to New Orleans, a year after Katrina had hit. It was the first time that I fell in LOVE with God. All these years, I had kept him close but never fully allowed him to enter my heart. For the first time, I enjoyed worshiping and speaking out what God had done for me. It no longer scared me because it was for him. God had made me fearless and strong enough to do the work I thought would be too difficult physically. It was hard but without God it would have been impossible for me. The next year we went on another mission trip to San Antonio and our main focus was to help the homeless and build relationships. Once again, out of my comfort zone but a complete blessing to be there.

I knew I had always loved traveling, people and just adventure. One night on Facebook, I clicked on the little ad on the side for the World Race. (Yeah, I’ve also clicked on  the Surf camps, Acai berry, free makeup and save the turtles one… hahah) Like everyone else, I became addicted to blogs, videos and everything about The World Race. After a couple days, I thought no that’s too extreme for me, I could never do that, maybe I am supposed to pass this on and tell certain people about it (David Spencer and Stefanie Grows). So I did, but all the while I found myself still reading everyone’s blogs.  One night, randomly, I filled out my entire application except for the essays.  I woke up the next morning and I was like, “Michelle you’re crazy. Stop trying to live the life you’re not called to live. This is the life for your friends, not you.” I prayed about it for several days and finally told my besties I had applied for  it. They were all excited and said that they could see me doing something like this. In the past months after graduation, I was so tired of hearing no to all these reporter jobs, full-time jobs, Teach for America. I just didn’t want to get my hopes high in case another no was to happen. I remember thinking, “there’s no way that I could ever do that, but if I am give me an OBVIOUS sign, GOD!” The next day someone from AIM called me and I didn’t answer. I thought oh, coincidence no big deal. I told my parents about the World Race. They weren’t too happy about it.  I have always wanted to go to Spain and teach English there for a year. My parents really wanted me to go to Spain and not this. My dad said that ultimately it was my decision, but I could just tell they were not happy. I thought this was my sign. Yet, I still felt that yearning in my heart and drawn to everyone’s experience. My prayer had finally become, “God, I’m confused. Help me..” The next day a World Race alumni, Mr. Matt Snyder (shout out! :)) wrote me an e-mail and asked if I had any questions.  I was completely boggled. I asked every question I could think of, all the while still filled with doubts about money but did not say anything about it. He answered all my questions and even my unanswered question about support raising.  I felt God was like, “Did I make it obvious enough?” so I wrote my essays that night.

 

I had multiple job interviews the next week, but the one I was looking forward to the most was my World Race one with Miss Caroline Crawford (shout-out! :)) I remember being so nervous but an hour before my interview I had one of the most amazing quiet times/ worship (wasn’t really quiet, I was dancing around like a little kid) and I just asked God to really open myself up to Caroline, to be real and honest with her.  I thought the interview was amazing. Caroline was so easy to talk to and the fear of telling my life story to a complete stranger quickly melted.  I still had my doubts-I didn’t want to get too excited and then just hear another rejection, I was confused as if I should stay with my part-time job (I worked as an after school teacher with inner city kids and I really did not want to leave them.) or accept the offer for a full-time. I remember I was praying in my room in tears because I was like, “God, I can’t do any of this. Your will be done. Take it all.” While I was praying that prayer, I missed a call on the house phone. I went downstairs to see who it was. Lo and Behold, It was Caroline, telling me that I had been accepted to do the World Race.  I fell to my knees and wept….and wept…. praised God because I was so excited to finally hear a yes…praised God because I knew what the next step was going to be and that was more than enough…i wept some more…praised God because things that did not work out made sense… wept.. then called my besties… and wept some more. Needless to say, I was a mess…. in a good way. haha

 

I was and am sooo excited but began to fear how could I be called to something, that my parents were so against. I prayed and asked my friends to pray for me.  My priest, Fr. Ernie Torres, spoke to my parents about it. Then my parents and I spoke about it more. That night, I wept again. (Everything in regards to World Race has made me weepy. haha)  They have become some of my biggest supporters. Of course they will always have some reservations, they’re my parents, but it’s a blessing to know that they are on my side.

   

I love people. It is one of the reasons why I wanted to be a
reporter so much. Everyone has such an interesting and beautiful
story.  Given the opportunity that the person lets me in to tell me a
snippet of their lives is always a blessing. Serving others, helping
and being there for a person just gives me so much joy. It is a huge
reason why I felt God calling me to something else instead of
reporting.

 

God has blessed me with a servant’s heart to continuously serve others around me and love them. I find so much happiness  in helping others find their happiness.

 

I am sooooo excited for the people that I will meet and his work that lies ahead-wherever and whatever that be. 🙂 loves!