I think God has been molding my heart for this trip since I first became a Christian 4 years ago. He’s been molding my heart for a lot of things since then but we’ll start here.
When I first became a Christian I knew I wanted to go on a mission trip but I had no idea why. I let the idea go as I started to get comfortable at home and at school. I was finally surrounded with people who loved me and a place that I wanted to be. I was happy and comfortable with my American privilege. As I started reading my bible more and spending time in Christian community though Cru on my college campus God started to move in my heart. He showed me His love, and grace, and mercy and His plan of redemption through His son Jesus Christ. What I received through placing my faith in Jesus was more valuable to me than any gift or relationship anyone could ever give me. Cru does many stateside summer missions and overseas missions, my friends had gone on some stateside missions and talked about how life changing they were and how everyone should go on at least one. But I was comfortable, I didn’t want to go.
But where I said no, God said go. I went on 2 summer missions, one with Athletes in Action after my Junior year of college, and one with Bridges International after my Senior year (this past summer). Through the mission with Bridges in California God opened my eyes to His plan and His heart for the nations. As an American I take my freedom of religion for granted often. But there are those in countries who don’t have the same freedoms as we do. There are those in countries who have never even heard of the name of Jesus. The hope, stability, and freedom that God gave me when I placed my faith in Jesus is the same hope stability and freedom that I want everyone else to experience. God has called me to take the Gospel to the nations and to be an ambassador for Christ, 2 Corinthians 5:20.
I’m excited for this mission trip and the opportunity to introduce people to Jesus, and to build relationships with people I wouldn’t otherwise have the chance.
