How I was called to the Mission Field

So we were asked to write a blog on how we were called to the mission field. heres my journey
Growing up I never would have imagined saying that I will be leaving for a year long missions trip but now, I wouldnt want to live any different life for our Lord. A year and a half ago the Lord placed a love for overseas missions on my heart I dont know why, or how it even happend but I remember praying about it. He then placed an amazing opportunity in my life to travel overseas with a ministry outreach organization I was a part of in high school called Young Life. Some how I knew this is what I was suppose to be doing, and where I was suppose to be. I was at peace completly at ease and ready to be teasted. I left for Yerevan, Armenia last summer for a journey that would change my life forever, I was completly ready for it though.  Going into it I wasnt to nervous because I knew that God would be with us and provide. After we landed at the airport in Armenia I felt like it was home, it was so humbling and I was so excted, I will always remember the Armenians standing at the gate of the airport waiting for us, jumping up and down waving their hands, and yelling our names. They welcomed us with open arms and hearts, just excited to see us and giving us hugs and kisses on the cheek which was much of a surprise and culture shock to me, but I felt completely safe with these “strangers” from then on. They had very little and most of them did not have cars but they drove to the airport or got a taxi just to be there to see us, I will always remember that night and how we were all so excited and happy to finally be together and praying together in their small dark rocked parking lot. That is when I realized that things were going to be much different than home, living spaces, community,  everything.

    The first week we stayed with our host families, at first it was a little strange staying with someone I knew nothing about, and could hardley speak to.  They were so hospitable though, it was 4am and they were trying to make us food, and show us love when really all we wanted was sleep. These people were some of the nicest people I have ever met. This week was spent with our host family,as a community, going to other clubs, worshiping the Lord together, and getting to know their country they adore and prize so much. They love their country and call it a “open museum” they think it is the most beautiful place there is, and id have to agree with them.

            We opened our hearts to each other and shared our testimonies on how we meet our Lord and Savior. We built relationships that could never be forgotten we had to look further than what was on the out side we had to look on what was on the in side. The beauty of someone’s heart and love for God. It was the emotions you felt in your heart and that bond that brought you close because you knew you were impacting each others life’s and worshiping the same God.

            The second week was my favorite week, it’s the week that impacted me the most and has impacted me to this day. It is the week we got to do contact work with campers, we had already met some of the leaders and very few campers and it was such a challenge because we were complete strangers. If you have ever felt like an outsider, try going to a foreign country, you didn’t even know exist till a year ago, and you don’t speak their language, its quit frightening. It made you step out of your comfort zone and depend on the lord.

   I became dependednt on prayer, I couldnt make it through the day with out a cry to the Lord, days were so hard and I needed His help. Not only that but it was truly incredible to be praying for kids ive built relationships with to build a relationship with Christ and have the same freedom I have. they think I have so much freedom in America but i wanted them to know my freedom comes from the Lord.