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Monday, October 17, 2011

The Beginning

People sometimes wonder why in the world I would ever want to go to some far off, 3rd world country where they don't always have luxuries such as 24-hour electricity, plumbing, air conditioning, good medical facilities, malls, and Starbucks. I mean, really? Who can't live without Starbucks?? I don't know...maybe I am crazy. And then again, maybe I'm not. ;)
I remember the first time I ever had so much as a passing thought about wanting to do long-term missionary work. I was in junior high and I went to this Jars of Clay concert. In the middle of the concert they began talking about how they had just gotten back from Africa and the work that they were doing down there to bring clean water to the people there. It was as if a light bulb went off in my brain "I want to do that!!" I didn't really think to much about it again for a while, but the idea kept coming up over the years. Over and over again, I would think about how awesome it would be to go to another country and not just teach them about Christ, but also learn from them and learn about their culture.
After years of this idea growing in my heart, but never actually doing anything about it, I finally reached graduation from high school. I thought to myself "Dude! Now that I'm graduated from high school, I might actually have a chance to do this! Maybe I'll get to go somewhere for a summer during college!" But, much to my dismay and frustration, it didn't happen during college. I couldn't understand why God had given me such a passion and yet I had no opportunity to fulfill the dream. That's not completely true. Throughout college, I had many opportunities to put coordinate and participate in a number of fundraisers that raised money to 1) build water wells in Kenya through the 410 Bridge, 2) help build schools in Uganda through Invisible Children, and 3) bring recovery to Haiti after the earthquake. But, it wasn't enough. I didn't just want to read about these places or send them money from a distance, I wanted to go.
After graduating from college this past May and realizing that I didn't actually want to do what I had majored in (which is teach music), I decided that I needed to take a year off and figure out what I DID want to do. What a perfect opportunity that God has given me to finally fulfill my dream!! At the suggestion of a worker in the religious life offices at my college, who is also a mentor and friend, I sent in an application to the General Board of Global Ministries. From that point on it has been a thrilling adventure of turning in paperwork (everything from medical records to what to do with my body if I should die during the 6 months I will be gone (definitely NOT a first option! O_o)), going on a retreat to train and meet other missionaries, and finally accepting my placement. My placement will be a 6 month stay in Morogoro, Tanzania where I will be teaching English at the Wesley Primary School. I am thrilled for what this adventure will bring!! I have now begun my correspondence with the person that I will be replacing, which of course increases my excitement level even more!!! :D
Of course things that I now have to consider are: what shots do I need? What will the weather be like and how should I pack accordingly? Will I get sick if I eat certain foods? How much money is this adventure actually going to cost me? Luckily, with the General Board, they have a thing called The Advance that allows people to donate directly to individual missionaries who are out in the field. As soon as I have a breakdown of what my expenses will be, I will post it as well as my advance number so that I can begin raising funds for this new adventure!!
For now, I will leave with my blessings to you and prayer that you will continue to pursue your dreams, no matter what the cost. And, do not worry if it doesn't happen today or tomorrow because everything will come to fruition in the time that God has deemed it. The point is to never give up!!

“One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philipians 3:13-14

Blessings and peace,
Christine