Since day one, God placed this plan in my heart. Since day one, He has been testing me for this day. Saying yes to leaving behind your family, friends, and dogs is a scary yes, but I know it will be worth it. Since being accepted to the World Race back in September of 2017, I’ve had a crazy roller coaster of emotions, especially throughout this holiday season. It has been bittersweet; come next year I won’t be spending Christmas or New Year with my family and friends but I know God has something worthwhile during that time. What has been on my mind the most, is how I got here to this point of just saying yes and going on the World Race.
I remember the first time I cried out to God telling Him I was ready to say yes to whatever He had planned for me. I was in middle school and I heard God tell me to share my testimony. At that time, my church was having this retreat where people shared their testimonies, and I knew that’s what He wanted me to do. Sure enough, a week later I was approached by one of the leaders to see if I wanted to go up and talk. It was difficult at the time to say yes but I already knew the answer God wanted me to give: yes.
Fast forward to high school, I had a friend that would occasionally ask me about mission work. If I would ever go on a mission trip or even consider moving to a different country to be a missionary! At the time, I thought that was insane, moving to a different country? I know some people get called to do that but I never thought I would.
Graduating high school, I had the desire to go on my first mission trip. After much prayer and fasting, I ended up going to Cuba with Adventures in Missions and had an amazing leader who encouraged me in so many ways. I remember coming back from that trip and I wanted to do it again. That was the first time I had the desire to go on the World Race. I had done all the research and was ready to say yes, but I was only 19. That desire soon faded and I just continued on with my life.
I didn’t plan on going on another mission trip until my church’s young adults ministry planned one to Ecuador with Adventures in Missions. I have no clue how I ended up saying yes to going, but somehow I did and I don’t regret it. Returning from that trip, I had that same desire to go on the World Race. This time, I was 21 and ready. I prayed about it for almost a month without telling anyone. It wasn’t until I spoke with that same leader from my mission trip to Cuba, that I was really encouraged to sign up. I know if I hadn’t spoken with him that day, my desire to go would have just faded like the last time. I went home that day to tell the news to my parents and start my application. My parents were a bit hesitant at first, but after talking through it all, they encouraged me and support me.
Here I am four months later getting ready to leave in less than a year! It’s scary for sure, but since day one, it has been about God testing me in saying yes to the little things to prepare me to say yes to the big things. This ongoing journey has been a huge confirmation because through every step of the way, I have heard God’s yes. It will take a lot to get to where He is calling me, but I have confidence that He will provide. If He provides for the grass in the field, how much more will He provide for me?
