I can't believe that in two hours I will be walking the streets of Munich. I have been preparing and prepping for this trip since I was 16. Four years later, I am finally on my way. Here is a little back story.
I grew up going to Camp Shamineau and when I got older, working there. My summers at Shamineau were the best summers of my life. Shamineau is really where my relationship with Jesus Christ became real, personal, and applicable. Every summer, Shamineau had an Austrian or two come over and counsel for a summer, as I got to know them and hear them talk about this ESL camp they had gone to in Austria, I knew I wanted to go. I did a lot of research about the camps online, met with Herb, the director of Camp Shamineau, and spent a lot of time praying about it. But, nothing really happened about it. In the following summers I had to work to pay for college and was unable to work at Shamineau. Thoughts of Austria and the ESL camp that layed across the ocean were never too far from my mind, but the opportunity never arose. This past fall I felt God tugging on my heart to do some sort of missions trip, in addition, I need to find a way to get 60 hours of ESL experience. I ended up applying for a missions trip through Olivet Nazarene University, where I go to school, but did not feel very passionate about it. I figured if I got accepted to go on the trip that it must mean that God wanted me to go. As I was contemplating my application, Austria came to mind. I had not thought of Austria in a long time, but the minute I did I felt a strong tug on my heart that I can only attribute to the Holy Spirit. In the next couple of weeks I sent a lot of emails, did a lot of research, and spent a lot of time praying about it. I knew that if given the opportunity to go to Austria through Shamineau or go on a missions trip through school, I would choose Austria, no hesitation. Although I was accepted on the missions trip at school, I quickly withdrew my application and focused all my efforts on Austria.
After a month or two of not hearing anything about Austria, I was finally accepted, but had a little leg work to do making sure I could get credit from school for it, convincing others it was a good idea, and making sure I could financially afford school the next year. Oddly, I was at peace throughout the entire process. Not once was I anxious or stressed about it, which if you know me well, you know is extremely odd for me. I had surrendered it over to God and completely trusted Him. If He wanted me to go, God would open the doors and make it work. God did not just open the doors, but he flung them open. Slowly, but surely (definitely not on my time schedule) all the details came into place. Although it was not without its own share of bumps along the way, God showed me that I had to be completely willing to give up anything to follow his call.
Now as I am sitting here, flying over England, which is where I always thought I would make my European debut, I have a perfect peace that surpasses all understanding that I am right where I am suppose to be. God's plans are so much better than I could have ever imagined for myself and I am excited to see where this plane ride takes me!
No comments:
Post a Comment