My connection with the Dominican Republic started when my older sister Kate visited while she was in High School through College Church. The experience was amazing for her and I was intrigued by the possibility of short term missions. A couple years later I had the opportunity to go with my Dad on the same trip. The trip changed my life, seeing the potential to help kids in the DR was something that would never leave my heart. I can honestly say that I felt the tug at my heart to long-term missions at this point in my life. I went to college and somewhat lost a sense of this calling and started to think that my future was in coaching or something else in the US. I was so blessed to play football at Wheaton where missions is something that is very focused on. Through my time at Wheaton I took short-term trips to Romania, Senegal and South Africa during our spring breaks. I got a glimpse into former players that had dedicated their lives to Christ in these areas. I’m so blessed to have had these trips to keep missions in my mind.
It was actually on the trip to South Africa during spring break of my senior year that I woke up one morning and knew that God had called me to the DR. I can’t begin to explain what an amazing feeling it was to be at peace with this huge calling in my life. I was nervous and excited at the same time, and blessed with so many people in my life that supported my calling.
Although I was so sure of God’s direct calling in my life I was somewhat confused because I did not feel near mature enough spiritually to thrive in this setting far from the comfort of Wheaton. God works in mysterious ways and for weeks and weeks I prayed that God would align my desires with His and not truly meaning it. I wanted to keep certain (selfish) aspects of my life to myself and give God his. Preparing for bible study for the next morning at the first week of Missionary Training school in Colorado it hit me like a ton of bricks. The bible study was about being transparent and not having walls put up and I realized I had walls put up my whole life. This along with a sermon I had heard from Glen Ellyn Bible Church about qualities of an elder in 1st Timothy, and a devotional that I was going through with a bible study of high school guys really convicted me. It was in this brokenness that all I could do was pray and God transformed my heart and it has been an unbelievable feeling. All of a sudden my selfish desires were replaced with the desire to become the true man of God that He desires and lays out in scripture. God chose to prepare me spiritually for the journey to the DR only 3 months prior to my departure. I can’t say it was ideal but I am eternally grateful for the transformation. I am so excited to partner with you and share this incredible journey that God has placed in front of me.
No comments:
Post a Comment