I know I am called to ministry. Its the great commission, we all are.
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"
-Matthew 28:19
My hope was that somehow I would find a cozy spot here in the USA, in my comfort zone, just a short drive away from my family and friends. I did not want to be lead out of these borders, I felt the the desire to be the wife of a pastor was enough, it was a sacrifice and thats was my calling…. I could not have been more wrong.
"I will not sacrifice that which cost me nothing"
– 1 chronicles 21:24
Last year I had a plan. I was going to finish my schooling in a Christian university, I was going to find this pastor husband-to-be of mine and I was going to live happily ever after. I was accepted into the college, I even had my prospective to-be in mind and I was ready to go. I mentioned needing some help with the move to my brother in Christ Patrick and he said he wouldn't help because I wasn't going.
I was blown away… who was he to tell me where I was and was not going? I asked him why he said that… he said because I belonged here. (here being Flint, Mi) I asked him how he knew and his response was "I talk to God". It dawned on me, I had made my own big plan and just asked God to cosign. I didn't even consider what HE wanted for my life. I decided that I would find out, and He would surely agree with my decision to pack up and head south.
I decided that I would fast and pray about this decision for 7 days. On the third day I was at my desk at work feelings little discouraged and not spoken do, and so I just asked God "what is it that You want me to do? I want to do you will even if it isn't mine" and I felt Him say to me that he already told me over and over to go to Peru.
Woah…. wait a minute. Peru? that does not line up with me ideas for my life. That is not the good ole' US of A…. But I'll go and see what He tells me through this.
The missions pastor at my church, Jeff had been planning a trip to Peru and he asked me to go a few times. I told him I couldn't get off work and I couldn't afford it…. and I didn't really want to go, it was too inconvenient, but by the time I realized God was asking me to go it was too late to sign up. As soon as I was able to I contacted Jeff and he said that I could come but I needed to get X amount of money in by a couple weeks to catch up from where i needed to be.
I prayed for the money and God provided it….to the penny….. ON THE DAY IT WAS DUE. I knew that what I had been ignoring for so long really was what God wanted for my life. He confirmed it over and over.
My bosses were amazing and I was able to go! my coworkers even helped me raise the funds!
… Fast forward I'm in Peru and the constant thought on my heart was "for this, I was made." I never felt more fulfilled…
Then I came home.
when I came home I couldn't stop thinking about Peru, I still think about it all the time. I wanted to go back. I never wanted to leave in the first place. So I started praying about what was next, and a little more aware of how to actually listen to God instead of telling Him what I'm doing I started to hear about the world race. I applied, and was accepted but I flat out told God …this is A LOT of money and a pretty long time, I need to You to confirm that this is what you want.
I felt like He simply told me to meet with Maggie.( a mentor and friend of mine) I started praying about our meeting. Through my conversation with her the LORD spoke. He used her to encourage, support and confirm what he had already told me. This is possible, and not only is it possible. its happening.
So whats next? 11 countries in 11 months. this is my calling.
