We were asked to write a blog about how we were called to this mission trip.
Here is my story…
I went to Kenya, Africa, in 2005 with a young adult group (Watershed) from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. There were 22 people that went on that trip, and it was unbelievable that nothing was lost on the way. For a majority of the time, I didn’t feel like I was really in Africa. I didn’t think I was supposed to be there, so it almost felt like a dream. There was a time on that trip that I knew that this wasn’t going to be my last missionary experience. God broke my heart many, many times on that trip and I couldn’t wait to go again.
When I got back from Africa, I searched for other mission trips I could go on. Nothing seemed to fit. It was a couple months before I came across The World Race, a new mission trip taking young adults around the world on a pilgrimage to share the Good News. I started the application process and then stopped. I wasn’t sure if this was really for me. I didn’t want to be gone a year. I didn’t want to try new things. Every month or so, I would get an e-mail from The World Race asking me if I wanted to finish my application that I started. I would go to the site, read a few blogs, watch a few videos and then just think about the trip, never putting it into action. I would think of things that could come up and ignored it. It would be fun, but not something that I truly wanted to commit to. I would have to give up everything to do this and I was comfortable where I was at.
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A couple years go by and the routine is still going on. I look at the website, read a few blogs, and finish looking on the Internet. This spring was different though, I felt a strong tug at my heart. I had just started my new job at the hospital, at wasn’t sure if this was still a good time. I had the World Race website bookmarked and looked at it daily. I called my friend and asked her to pray about it for me. She knew that I was looking at it for a while and that I found other things to distract me. This time was definitely different. I had peace. There was nothing standing in my way. The new job wasn’t going to distract me.
I started to fill out the application again. This time, I didn’t stop with the quick application, I continued onto the full application. Shortly after I put in my application, I was contacted by AIM asking when I could set up an interview time. The time was set up and Ashley called me. We talked for a little while about West Virginia (our connection) and then she asked me some questions. The entire time, I felt a complete peace. Usually during interviews, I get really nervous and get an upset stomach. Not once have I felt that way during this. God gave me a great peace. Peace that I had never felt before. I knew it was him calling me to this.
About a week later, I found out I was accepted on this trip. It was shocking to me. I couldn’t believe that I was going to go on such an amazing journey with God to learn and trust him more. Since I was accepted, God has revealed so much to me. He has shown me true friendship, continued peace and an assurance that I am really going on this great adventure.
I have already made some great connections with the teammates. I feel as though I already know them and continue to learn more daily. I can’t imagine going without any of them. God has hand picked each and every one of us to go on this trip at this specific time. Things may not have worked out if I was accepted to a previous trip. God has great timing!
One scripture that has been coming back to me throughout this entire process is: Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
I know that is a scripture that has been used many, many times, but it rings true. He gave me the path I was supposed to go and because of that, I have peace!
