We were asked to write a blog about how we were called to this mission trip. Here is my story...

 

    I have always been a lover of people and have always wanted to help others in any way I could. When I was growing up, I wanted to be in the Peace Corps and either teach children or be of some sort of medical assistance. It was my dream when I was little- I don't know if that's ordinary or not, but that's me! 

     When I went on my first mission trip in ninth grade to Delaware, I went from being a shy girl who did not talk very much at all to a woman who talks all of the time. That trip was part of what formed me into the person I am today. God gave me courage on that trip and it's courage that I have held onto with all of my strength thus far in my life. I went on my next mission trip to Mexico the summer before my senior year of high school. It was absolutely the best experience of my life for many reasons. One was relying on God for strength and wisdom, and one was relying on the team around me. The love that I experienced from God and from the team was mind-blowing. The children also got me. Children are my heart- I just love them! :) I came back from that trip thinking about devoting my life to missions. I went on another mission trip a year later to a different part of Mexico, and the people there that we ministered with amazed me and I fell in love with missions all over again.

      I entered college last fall at a local university. I am very blessed to have received a full scholarship. God granted me with a free education- Praise the LORD! However, about this time last year, I felt like I was not where I was supposed to be, so I started looking for other colleges. (Even some as far away as Alaska!) My soul was just not at peace. So, I was clinging to my family and my friends to get through the time of feeling unsettled. God was still not letting my soul be settled. In March of 2009 I started looking for other churches thinking maybe that was what God wanted me to do and the explanation for my stirred soul, but that was not it either.  I also started reading the book "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan and there was a point that struck me. In the chapter "Profile of the Lukewarm", Chan states, " Lukewarm people are continually concerned with playing it safe; they are slaves to the God of control. This focus on safe living keeps them from sacrificing and risking for God." As I do not believe I am lukewarm, I have never taken a big risk for God or His Kingdom.

      I found Adventures in Missions in about the middle of April, on good ole Facebook. It was an ad in the margin. I looked it and started thinking about missions, but I managed to put it on the back burner somehow. I was not convinced that missions was the answer to my restlessness. So, a couple of months went by and I came back to adventures.org. I decided to start the application (what could it hurt?). I was not telling anyone about my "adventure" because I did not want to get everyone riled up about it if it wasn't going to happen. I wasn't going to finish the application because I couldn't afford the application fee on my own at the time, but then I found the password to waive the application fee and I decided there was no hurt. It was me stepping out into the water and waiting to see what God could do with it. This is where the reading from "Crazy Love" became an influential part of this journey.

        In the waiting time, I told my mom about the trip and was met with some hesitation. (As expected because I am the baby of the family and a 7 month mission trip is no joke.) She shared her concerns about me losing my scholarship- she asked me why I would throw that away. I shared with her that from the very beginning I had prayed about my scholarship and have asked God to work it out. I decided that if God could hold my scholarship, then that would be my affirmation, if not that that would show me that I was not meant to go. I continued to share my fears with her- leaving the family, a death in the family while I leave... and everything that made me anxious.

        The next Sunday, we went to McClean Bible Church in Virginia to hear Lon Solomon preach. The message he gave was another affirmation from our beloved Lord. He was preaching on being a true disciple and what it means. He said we have to leave our families sometimes and through Him, God was totally calming my fears. I felt like that sermon was just for me. A little further into the message, God decided to speak through Pastor Solomon directly to my mom. He said, "What about you parents whose child wants to go on the mission field. You are asking them 'why in the world would you do such a thing. Why would you throw away a full scholarship to go on the mission field?'" Word for word, he asked the question my mom had asked me. He proceeded to answer that question and calm my mom's heart. We looked at each other in amazement, trying to pick our mouths up off the floor. During the invitation, he asked those who are serious about being a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ- no matter what He asks of us, to stand. As I stood, I felt peace. For the first time in about 9 months, my heart felt at peace. I felt I knew what God wanted me to do and I was doing it. The result? Peace beyond measure. Thank you Lord! 

        Though I received peace that day, I had still not found out any information about my scholarship situation. I was praying and praying and one night I decided to just sit down and pray fervently for guidance. I got out my Bible and concordance and looked up all of the verses I could about guidance. I was up until two thirty in the morning just on my knees. I decided to e-mail the person in charge of my scholarship. I laid it all out on the table. I told him my plans and my desires. He e-mailed me back the next day and told me he would hold my scholarship and that he hopes "God prepares and blessed me on the mission field." WOAH! That absolutely blew my mind! I had no idea he was even a believer! There- I had received my answer. And suddenly, I felt weightless as I let out cries of thanksgiving. I asked for guidance and God guided. 

         Since then, God has continued to bring me that lovely peace and has been teaching me and guiding me. There have definitely been times where Satan has attacked and I have been tired of the battle. However, that is when God has proven himself the most. I know that this time will be the hardest time I have ever gone through, but God gives strength. I know, without a doubt, that this is where He wants me. :)