About three years ago, I had landed in the bottom of a pit filled with pig filth. Instead of wailing in misery, I was filled with an absolute, unexplainable peace. In the midst of my repulsive misery, the Lord called out to me and said, “I haven’t given up on you.” At the time I didn’t understand it, but I knew something needed to change. I started climbing out of the pit, but couldn’t do it alone. God restored me to a shiny new life filled with his unfailing love, and all I want to do is thank Him for never giving up on me and helping me return to a fulfilling life for Him. In the midst of my struggles to return to Him, a previous classmate of mine was on The World Race. Her overflowing love and fire for God inspired me to keep striving and pushing forward.
I graduated from college in December 2013, and it felt as if I had been dumped from a warm blanket into a freezing cold pool. I tried to look ahead into my future, and all I saw were cliffs in every direction. As I stared into what seemed like a pointless future, I lost my grandfather, a long-term relationship and stopped taking medication causing daily migraines. Feeling vulnerable and abandoned, I remembered that this is where God takes me when He wants to talk–broken. I hit my knees and cried out to the Lord that my life was not my own and He owned me completely. I gave my life fully over to His control, found a church and followed His calling to be baptized there.
One day The World Race popped into my head and took up residence in my daily thinking. I couldn’t get it out of my head, so I followed the Lord’s lead and started an application one night. It seemed that everything was against me finishing the application and interview process, but God’s plans are bigger! He helped me fight through everything standing against me and last week I got a call from a man telling me that I had been accepted to the World Race missions trip starting in January. After apologizing to him for squealing in his ear, I hung up and did cartwheels all over my apartment. I called my mom crying with overwhelming joy.
I still can’t believe this is happening. I’m overjoyed that I get to share God’s incredible love with His suffering children who can’t find answers. I am combining my two loves of Jesus and traveling in one trip all over the world.
Lord, you are so good to this undeserving child. Thank you for never giving up on me. May I never give up on you. Give me the wisdom to conduct myself according to your ultimate and perfect plan for my life and all those I touch in my journeys! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a difference maker in your creation!
-Sarah-
