I first fell in love with missions when I went to Haiti the summer after my freshman year of high school. I knew that the Lord had called me to ministry after this trip was over. Throughout high school I continued to serve and grow my faith in many different ways, including going to different summer camps. 

At one of these camps, specifically a camp called beach week in 2019, the year before my senior year of high school, I really felt the Lord affirming me in my call to ministry. I was so excited and determined my whole senior year. I was going to a Christian college where I could learn everything I needed to start a successful career in ministry, like what could go wrong? 

As class registration began to start, I slowly became more hesitant of this calling the Lord had placed over my life, therefore I shied away and chose to study Psychology instead. In school I felt lost, I was studying things and I wasn't even sure what exactly that information looked like when I applied it to my life. I was worried about what my job would be, thinking I was supposed to be a therapist, or even a translator. I wasn't confident in any of the potential jobs people said I would thrive in. 

In March I received a text from the Kids Associates Pastor at my church back at home. She asked me if I would be interested in a summer internship, helping out with the kids ministry. I said yes, only thinking it would be a great thing to put on a resume. Little did I know that this internship would be something that completely changed my life. 

Going into my internship, I was still running away from my calling to ministry. But about 2 weeks into my internship the Lord was just convicting me and showing me that this is what I need to do. It took a lot to obey and surrender, but once I did doors continued to open, and my confidence grew. This internship stretched me, tested me, and helped me learn so so much.

Now that I knew I was called to ministry, and completely surrendered to the Lord, I was debating on what my next step looked like. I didn't know if that was a residency with the church, going back to school, or even if that was going on missions. I was continuously praying that the Lord would just show me what my next step looks like, because I learned the hard way that doing things on your own doesn't work out well, and I didn't want to make that mistake again.

After about a month of prayer the Lord placed the World Race on my heart. I was a little nervous, I mean that is a lot. 8 months in multiple different countries, away from everything and everyone I have ever known. But the Lord continued to affirm me so I decided to apply. The days after I submitted my application I continued to just pray and ask the Lord to open doors if this is what my next step looked like. I got a call about 3 days later, and I was accepted! I am now going to take a gap year between my sophomore and junior year of college!

I am a little nervous, but I am also excited to learn, experience and grow! I have full confidence that the Lord will provide in every way, because he is good and faithful to those who chose to obey and listen to him! 

I am so excited to have you on this journey with me!