“Do you really want to leave your family, pup, and friends for nine months?” I asked myself. “No, not really.” Part of me does, and part of me doesn’t, and the part of me that doesn’t outweighs the part that does. “Then SM, why are you going?” I didn’t know why, but God did.
A couple of months ago our pastor was preaching on Exodus. He said that everyone is part of the Great Commission. He said that “the greatest risk is laying down everything; your financials, your social status, and your comfortability.” There, in that moment, something stirred. The first verse that came to mind was Matthew 28:19-20, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
One night I poured out my frustration to my sister crying because I didn’t know what to do. The two career choices that I thought I wanted to do, I didn’t. I was graduating in a couple of months; I was supposed to know what I wanted to do. But she wisely consoled me and told me to go on a mission trip without anyone I knew. Go somewhere with little to zero contact so no one can influence you, just God. The next day I did a little googling of different mission organizations but didn’t know where/how to look. So, I went to my other sister and asked her. I shared my anger and irritation with my life. I was tired of everything being about me. Self-centered. I was tired of the rich and the poor and me not doing anything about anything. She was empathetic to my feelings. After hearing of my desire to go somewhere she mentioned a couple of organizations, one being the World Race. After going through the entire website, I knew. I told my mom about not wanting to start college yet and told her about World Race. She and my dad supported me right away.
I scheduled my first phone call which was just a Q&A. The next call was the “interview.” I was nervous, but the interviewer, Caroline, was super sweet and talked like we had been best friends for years. She asked me a series of questions and then accepted me into the program! I was overjoyed and thanked God.
So, back to why I want to go on the World Race. The Lord called me, and I am ready to obey. From wanting to go on a mission trip for a month or two to a nine-month mission plan, I never expected something so great; however, at the same time, I will miss the comforts of my home. I will miss my car and dog. And I will miss leaving my family and friends. But I want to tell others about Jesus. I want to travel with fellow believers. I want to grow my faith. Mostly, I want people to experience love from the same God I experience love from.
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