[2] How I Was Called to the Mission Field

I was called to the mission field a little over 3 years ago, which is crazy because it was even before I was truly saved.  God was working in my life, putting people in my path, and preparing my heart for a big change.  After I accepted Christ, my love for Him and desire to serve Him through over seas missions took huge growth.  It was no longer just something to do after high school in place of college; it was my passion, my desire, my future.  Every year since then, I have tried to set up an over seas mission trip, but it never worked out, I believe simply because it was not God’s will for me at that time.  As my senior year was ending, I was going back and forth on my decisions for the coming fall.  I was talking to a dear friend, when I told him my two options I had.  At that point I was narrowing down my choices.  He then replied, “You have more options you know?  Those aren’t the only two things you can do.”  When he told me that I felt like I should really look into a few more different paths.  As I did things really got more complicated and I felt lost and didn’t know what to do.  I continued to pray and in June I made the decision to go on the Real Life trip this fall to the Philippines.  That was going great until late June when I heard I was the only person signed up for that specific trip, and it was to be canceled.  I was seriously crushed.  I had been in love with the Philippines since 9th grade, I was accepted, and then it was gone in a single phone call.  The leaders from AIM told me I could choose a different country for the same time period, but I did not want to.  I was telling myself I was only called to the Philippines and had no desire for another location.  I was planning on just taking a year off, working, and going to school the following fall.  That was until my mom suggested that maybe God is wanting me to be willing to go wherever HE wants me, not only where I want.  After that conversation I continued to pray and when I heard the ministry description for this trip to Kenya I was really excited and decided to proceed until God directed me somewhere else or shut the door.  So far I truly believe this is where God wants me and this is where His plans for me were all along.  I cannot wait to see what all is in store and what other lessons He will teach me and our team as we continue to prepare, and as we serve in Kenya as well.