I first heard about the World Race a couple of years ago through the campus ministry I’m involved with at Indiana University, Christian Student Fellowship (CSF). A senior in CSF was planning to go on the race and she was in the process of raising support. The first thing I thought was: “Kudos to her, I could never do that.” LOL @ MYSELF, as usual.
That summer, I went on a mission trip for the first time to Cambodia through the church I go to while at school. I was not prepared in the slightest for the impact that it would have on my life. God utterly challenged my preconceptions and transformed my heart, instilling in me a passion for bringing women and children to justice and freedom from the chains of slavery. Human trafficking awareness and prevention became an area of ministry that I wanted to spend my life fighting for. I spent the remaining months of the summer interning for an anti-trafficking organization and spreading awareness to the community.
I remember one 14 year old girl in the safe house we visited in Battambang. For her safety, I’m unable to mention her name. I don’t know how long she had been living at the safe house and though I would have never fathomed that she had experienced such emotional and physical trauma, she still seemed wary of our presence and hesitant to be affectionate. Despite the language barrier preventing verbal communication, I felt closer and closer to her with each day of ministry. When it was time for our team to head back to the States, she (a little abashedly) kissed me on the cheek and hugged me as tears streaked down both of our faces. I will carry that bittersweet memory with me all the way to eternity.
These details of my story are important, as they have been instrumental in my decision to go on the World Race. I had never once thought about being a missionary, and I’m still not certain that it’s something God is calling me to do long-term. All I know is that at least for the next year, He is calling me to spread His glory to the ends of the earth, to be a servant and to show compassion to the “least of these” of this world. I made excuses all the time: “I’m not good enough for this, I’m not experienced enough, I’m not a “good enough Christian,” and I certainly don’t know everything there is to know about the Bible. I’m just not qualified, sorry.” God came back with: “You were made for this, I have equipped you for this, you are more than enough, and I will guide you along the way. Go and make disciples. Bear my image well.” What an insult to God’s creation it must’ve been for me to apologize for who I am, a woman made in His own image to reflect His glory on earth; & hold up, a GOOD ENOUGH CHRISTIAN!?! What does that even mean!?! Lol @ myself, again.
The passion that God has gifted me with for eradicating human trafficking will almost assuredly be validated through the opportunities that I will have to minister to women in the sex industry through this race. I will of course be serving in a number of other areas of ministry as well and I’m excited to see how God blesses those experiences and teaches me more about Himself through them. I know we tend to romanticize these opportunities, but I know it won’t be glamorous every day. I’m ready for God to take me on a journey, and I will do my best to stay joyful through every up, every down, every celebration, every bit of pain, every tear of joy, and every imaginable heartbreak. After all, God doesn’t call the equipped. He equips the called!
Now that I’ve told you a glimpse (a huge glimpse) of my story, I suppose I should talk a little more “about me” and what speaks to my soul:
1.) PERSONALITY – I’ll have to go off of what people have told me because I don’t quite know how to describe myself. Friends tell me that I’m gentle and compassionate, but also funny and quirky. I can be quiet and introverted at first, but will totally break out of that once I get to know you better. WATCH OUT.
2.) JOKES – I like to make jokes. A lot of the time they aren’t funny and I’m the only one laughing, but it’s fine.
3.) MUSICALS – I enjoy singing, and I love musicals! My favorite is Phantom of the Opera, WOOT WOOT. If I get comfortable enough around you, I will sometimes start randomly singing whatever song is on the radio in an operatic voice which usually freaks people out. I can’t help it though, it’s too much fun.
4.) BOOKS – I absolutely love to read! Book recommendations ALWAYS welcome.
5.) LISTS – I have a weird thing for making lists, I have a list for just about everything. And I mean everything!
6.) JESUS – The reason for the season (meaning every season of life). Seriously, my faith is the single most important thing in my life. I am constantly in pursuit of deeper intimacy with my Lord and Savior, and I am excited to grow in my relationship with Him and to be His hands and feet in a broken world.
Annnnd, that’s me. Nice to meet ya! 🙂
