Hello everyone!
I've decided to start a blog as I begin the process of becoming a missionary. I hope that the Lord will use this to bless you. I want my life to be something that gives glory to Him. I hope that he would use me to show what a need there is for missions.
Here's my story.
My Parents were missionaries in Papua New Guinea when I was born. They taught at the private school for missionary kids in the highlands. I've always considered PNG as my home.
When I was in kindergarten, my teacher was telling us about the Easter story. I remember going home that night and asking my mom what it meant to be a Christian. She explained it to me, and by God's grace, I understood that I had a need for Salvation; that I couldn't do it on my own, and only Christ's blood could cover my sin.
As I grew up, I always knew that I was saved, but I didn't really feel like I had a personal relationship with the Lord. My mom was really great and anytime I ever had questions about Christianity, she would help me understand. Even so, it seemed like if I was ever asked a question, I could give the "right answer", but it was only because it's what I'd been told. It hadn't become MY beliefs. It was just what I believed because I'd been taught it all my life.
When I was in my junior year of High School, I was trying to decide what I wanted to do in life. With everything that I thought of, I didn't really feel like, "Yes! THIS is what I want to do." But one Wednesday night, at my church's Bible study, I remember feeling like the Lord was putting teaching in a missionary school on my heart. I'd never felt like the Lord was speaking so clearly to me before. There was no doubt in my mind of it. I knew He was directing me to the mission field.
I started thinking about going out to Papua New Guinea for a few months to see how it would be at the school, and to see if I could help out in any way, but then my mom said she thought it might be a good idea to go out with the program New Tribes Mission offers called Interface. It's a 6 week program that teaches college age people about missions and all that's involved. I felt really good about going, and decided I would do that instead of going out by myself.
I got in touch with NTM and they were so great with helping me get ready to go, and organizing EVERYTHING for me. The Lord so greatly supplied for that trip. Since He wanted me to go, He supplied. It was definitely scary when it got close to leaving and I didn't have all my support yet, but 2 weeks before I left, the Lord had supplied all the support I needed. It was definitely a learning process in how to trust the Lord.
On that trip I met some of the most amazing people. The Lord showed me what a difference it makes when you surround yourself with people who are like-minded. I learned so much during those 6 weeks. I saw how people gave so much up to do the service the Lord had called them to. I saw how humble they were. I grew spiritually, and for the first time ever, I felt so close to the Lord. When I'd pray, I really felt like He was with me. When I'd ask for direction, He'd show me what to do. I've never felt so spiritually motivated in my life.
Through this trip I really feel like the Lord showed me that He wants me to go into full time tribal missions. I really believe that he used teaching on the mission field as something to get me to go on Interface. It seriously was the most life changing event of my entire life. If you ever get the chance to go, GO. It's amazing, and the Lord will do so many great things in your life through it.
As most of you know, I'll be going to New Tribes Bible Institute in Jackson, Michigan this fall. I am SO excited about it, and can't wait to be with like-minded people who share the passion the Lord has given me to spread the Gospel to those unreached.
I plan on using this blog to document how the Lord provides for me as I follow him to NTBI and the hopefully on to the mission field.
Here are some of my favorite verses:
"But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”" Romans 10:14-15
May the Lord bless and keep you all until the day He comes again.
