The want to participate in mid/long term missions was placed on my heart at a very young age. My first memory of wanting to go to Africa happened at about 6 years old when my church raised money to buy mosquito nets for people in Mali, Africa during our week of Vacation Bible School. That week brought out a deep desire for me to share the love of Jesus over seas. Over time that desire was pushed to the side as I grew up and became focused on other things.
This was until the summer before my junior year of high school when my youth group took a weeklong trip to Richmond, Virginia with YWAM. This week was incredibly transformative for me and relight a fire in my heart to share the gospel with the nations. I remember telling a leader of mine during this week that I just couldn't go home the same, I knew missions was still an option for me, I just didn't know what that looked like at the time.
That was until the fall after my senior year. My original plan was to take a gap year after graduation before returning to school. However, over the course of a few weeks God revealed to me through sermons, conversations, and a dream that missions was the next step for me. This led me to find experience missions and their 6 month immersion program.
Now as I gear up to leave in January, I am continually amazed by God's faithfulness over the years and the way he has shown up in every aspect of this journey!