Never during my first 16 years of life did I imagine that taking a gap year after high school would be part of my story. I never quite knew what I would do after graduating, but traveling across the globe while serving the Lord would have only been a dream I believed was too impossible to become a reality. Lucky for me, I serve a God who doesn’t give impossible for an answer.
There have been moments throughout my life when I’ve had a sudden desire to leave all comforts behind and completely invest my life in meeting the needs of people around the world. I remember watching the documentary Free Burma Rangers with my family one evening. Personally I’ve never been a huge movie fan, but this one captured my full interest throughout the entire story. As I watched, I was amazed at the level of faith I saw in the missionaries being documented. The amount of danger they put themselves in to rescue so many in these horrible conflict zones was incredible. The missionaries completely trusted God with their lives in a way I’d never seen before. After the movie ended, I spent the next two hours balling my eyes out in the dark of my room. I felt guilty to be living a life of so many comforts while people all over the world lived in fear of even making it through each day. I wanted to do something to help, and I felt God calling me to missions in some way.
Since watching this documentary, missionary work has always been at the back of my mind. In 6th grade, I began having this dream of becoming an interior designer. Even today, I still definitely see that as a possibility for my future. Last year though, I had this idea of combining missionary work with interior design. I believe that a true home provides a safe space to reflect, gather, and rest. My hope is for everyone to be able to experience a place of peace they can call home. So many in our world don’t have access to a shelter that provides this for them. I had a desire to become a full time missionary with a focus on designing sustainable and affordable homes for those around the world who are in need and spreading the good news that our foundation is built on Jesus alone. Only God knows what my future holds, and I can’t wait to see how He uses me to glorify His name and serve His kingdom.
So yes, I guess that mostly answers the question of why I decided to go on the World Race. I didn’t have a radical moment where I knew God was calling me to go, but rather I heard His voice in the little moments of everyday life granting me a deeper desire to see and know more of His people and spread the love of Christ in impactful ways around the globe. I am beyond excited for this incredible nine month long journey in Eswatini, Malaysia, Nicaragua, and Guatemala. I’d love for you to follow along on the work God does by keeping updated here on my blog!
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