My journey to going back to South Africa was something very unexpected. I got home from my 3 month Immersion trip to South Africa the beginning of November 2019 just in time for the holidays. I came off a spiritual high and was so grateful for the way I got to experience God with all my new friends that I met during our mission trip. Coming home I had my expectations of how life would be once I came home and how I’d just jump back into my normalcy. Then a harsh reality hit me. Within the first few weeks home I had got in a minor car accident, had a minor surgery (gallbladder removed), and was uncertain about my job. Although all this was going on, I found myself at peace and understood that the enemy was working really hard against me.

Time passed and after a while of resting, not doing much, and having no income. I began to feel like a nobody with no direction for my life. I began to fall into a dark place because I was lost and back to where I started. This was the reason why I wanted to go on my first Immersion to grow and find my path in life. I just didn’t understand why I was in the position I was in after the amazing encounter I had with God. I didn’t want to feel the way I felt and I remember breaking down a little during this time. That day, I specifically asked God in prayer to guide and show me what he wanted to do with my life because I no longer understood. I was desperate for some answers.

The very next day (this was first week of December 2019) I received an email from EM staff presenting me with an opportunity to lead a 3 month trip in January 2020. At first I was very skeptical and just didn’t believe I was qualified to take on this task. The following day I was also asked to come back to work. All I could think was “Wow... now I have options and a big decision to make!” Even though, I knew what God had planned for me I doubted my own decision making. Grow doesn't come easy but it was something that I had to do. I decided to go into prayer and take a day to fast and really lean into the Lord for guidance. By the end of my fast all the scripture I was reading and all the worship songs I was listening to lead to the same answer. After consulting my family and friends as well I knew that I was called to go back to South Africa sooner than I expected to. Now I am heading out to continue what God had only began in me my first trip.

I hope that through my time away I can continue to build these amazing relationships and learn from each and every person I get to connect with. I pray that God prepares my heart for all he has and can use me to continue to show what the gospel is about while I also learn more about the gospel. I'm truly blessed to be able to work with Experience Mission and grateful for every single person that has supported me and helped me get to go on these trips. The power of God is incredible and I love being able to see it work in others lives.