"The Irrevocable Calling..."
I remember, in my sixth grade English class, I was assigned to write a paper of what I wanted to be when I grew up. I passionately wrote a three page story of me being a missionary in Africa. That later just became a childhood dream as I grew more in the worldly influence everyday. I still went on little mission trips and supported two children with World Vision Org. but I knew that was not the full potential in fulfilling the call that the Lord had on my life. I felt the heaviness that there was more to my life. More then this dream being a childhood fantasy; it was a passion that God had woven in my inner most being. I wanted to be a missionary.
In summer of '07, I made up my mind that I would do whatever it took to get to the mission field. I needed to stop waiting for that ‘someday' to roll around and take action. So I decided to give up everything including my apartment, all my furnishings, my secure job, and even my little dog that I had bought for myself for Christmas two years previously. I cleared myself from all contracts and made myself completely free from any ties that would obligate me to stay here in America. Sadly, I made myself a nomad. My intentions were understandable but the reality was rough; taking everyday a day at a time. I lived out of a suitcase and sofa-surfed. I continued to praise the Lord and pray for an open door to His appointed place to come quickly. But I missed my life that I had given up; coming home to my own nice furnished apartment with my little dog to greet me ecstatically. My life was comfortable and secure, and now I was unsure that I had made a responsible decision. I felt foolish but I took Jesus' words literal when He said to leave everything, take up your cross and follow Him, and go out doing the Great Commission. That was reality in my eyes; not sitting in an office cubical day after day.
While I continued to pray for the Lord's direction, it was only a few weeks later when the Lord gave me the opportunity to service Him in Guatemala. Praise the Lord! I ministered and served in Guatemala for the few months that I was scheduled for over the summer of '08 and then came back to my nomadic life here in the states feeling completely out of place. I started to look towards ways that I could service as a missionary for a longer period of time. I thought about staying with some friends that pastor a church in Mexico, or joining the Peace Corp, even running off the India, solo! But soon later a friend from my home church told me about the World Race. When I heard about this opportunity of ministering and serving for one year to 11 different countries, I freaked out!!! It was an amazing opportunity that I became apart of in 2009 to mission around the world!
It was an extremely vital learning experience that helped grow and equip me spiritually, mentally and emotionally for the next purpose that the Lord has laid out for my days. I trust that through my obedience to the Lord's directions, I will be used mightily for the glory and praise of God. Everywhere I minister I find where the Lord has appointed me for a missionary service. I've learned how to interact and minister in a practical way with everyday people from many kinds of culture and background. And that understanding has really made some tough fields a little easier to manage.
Now, not only do I strive and seek more opportunities to service the Lord with a lifestyle of everyday missions, but I also live a passion to educate the church and common Christian about the 'Lets Go' life. To raise awareness to the church about the need for everyone to be in this together. And to bring understanding that every member plays a key role in missions. The focus is not on the missionary themselves but the whole Body of believers that makes all this possible. It's a strong revelation that is often times over looked in the Church today.
So...Let's go!!!
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