How I was called to the mission field…
I have
always had a heart for missions, and have been to quite a few places over the
years with my youth group. Knowing this and knowing my heart for travel and
adventure, my youth pastor approached me in the midst of life’s darker hours. She
sat me down and asked me to check out this mission’s trip through AIM called “The
World Race”. I promised her that I would, and soon after, I had to head for
work. While at work I read a few blogs and watched a short video.
Next
thing I knew I had watched that video probably a dozen times. Touching as the
video was and as much of a pull as I felt on my heart, I wasn’t willing to go,
wasn’t ready to go, and never really planned on going. That’s where this trip ended for me, or so I
thought.
A few
months later I found myself on a mission’s trip to Bellglade Florida with our
senor high youth group. The trip was set up through AIM. My heart fell in love
with missions once again. Toward the end of the mission’s trip Marty the AIM
leader made mention to the group about several mission trip possibilities through
AIM; one of them being The World Race. As he mentioned this I happened to
glance over toward my youth pastor and one of our other leaders. As I did they
were staring at me, pointing, smiling and nodding along with a few of the
youth.
That
desire to travel the world came back in full force. I told my group that if I
can sell my truck within the month, I would go, as that was a large piece of
debt that I knew I would need to alleviate myself of whether I went or not.
Within 2 weeks I paid 1700 dollars to sell my truck to a car dealership. I
wanted to go on this trip.
From
the moment I saw that video, and read of the adventures in the blogs to this
moment in time, God has been mosh pitting inside of this heart, he has been turning my world inside out. All that
once satisfied is no longer satisfying; all adventures are no longer
adventurous enough. I have begun to yearn for more. I have always wanted to
travel, and compassion for others has always played a role in my heart, but now
I want more. Wants have become burning desires, and an uneasy, unsatisfied soul
has burdened me like a rain cloud that lingers above my heart. Well it is time
to step out of the shadow of that cloud, and fulfill the desires and burdens
that have so nonchalantly thrown themselves into my life knocking me over like
as if I were the sleeping heifer in the wonderful game of cow-tipping.
I must go;
I must venture through this world because everything this trip is about defines
who I am and who I want to be. The adventure, the purpose, the time, the
possibilities, all of it is a part of it describes the passions of my soul. To not go would be to turn my back on all that
I have desired and and all I have dreamt of in my life.
The longing…
Longing heart, aching soul, searching, needing, waiting, wanting. I
march forth, no desire to rest. Craving a turn of this page, to see the next
chapter, to see the next day. Something much deeper than oceans depth, awaits
my heart; Something far more beautiful than the rising sun approaches this
life. Stories untold, soon to unravel. Anxious and impatient here I stand with
opportunities at face. Hesitant, yet willing, I close my eyes, “Do I jump? Will
I sink? Shall I wait? Should I go?” To open the door, or to hide away, this the
choice that I make. Unsatisfied, and thirsting at more, I chase, I charge, I
run, I seek to end this page and read the next. I know there’s more. It sits
beyond the bounds of this day, But with each new page my hunger grows. Set down
the book, this I cannot, nor find its end nor find my peace. I will continue, I
will press on, to finish this book, to live this life.
By William Diefenbach
