This year has been filled with nothing but change for me. I have started a new life and this time around it includes God. I'm not sure how I lived without Him for so long. I know through all of the mistakes I've made and lessons I've learned He was watching over me. It even says how He counts our tears (You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. Psalm 56:8)
As some of you might know, I was pretty close to God at the age of 19. Well, when you turn 21 and become legally able to drink...and don't continue a daily relationship with God...it's easy to fall away, and that's what happened. So after a little over 4 years of living the party life style, working, and continuing my college career... I was ready for change.
The first service I went to this year was the April 4, 2010, Easter Sunday. I went to church twice that day (two different churches). I was desperate for God. I didn't know how I was going to change but I left that work up to Him. I was not living a life that was fulfilling. I was just going through the motions of life, but not really living life. I knew that Sunday, my life was about to be turned upside down in the best way ever.
I began regularly going to our high school and college ministries at Faith Assembly of God (Xstream and the Voice). As I started to get closer to God I kept thinking about missions. I called my brother and he told me our college group was going on a mission trip to Managua, Nicaragua and that they were leaving in 3 weeks. I decided to go, God provided the money in one week ($1,100), and I was on my way. This was in May of 2010.
Nicaragua was an unforgettable experience. I'm not sure I can describe how amazing it was in words. We went into the broken neighborhoods of Nicaragua for 6 days straight, 3-4 different areas per day. The children there were soo adorable! Even though some had no shoes to wear, torn clothes, and dirty faces.. they were filled with happiness at our arrival. Of course there was much sadness there as well...but that's why we went.. to share God's love. God's love is so powerful, it can change anyone.. all we have to do is ask and He is there.
After returning from Nicaragua, I heard about the organization called Youth With A Mission (YWAM). That night I went home and began researching. I'm not sure why I immediately began searching throughout Africa, but I'm pretty sure God put it on my heart :) I looked at a number of different YWAM bases around Africa, it was all very exciting. For the next month or so I was trying to figure out if going to South Africa was something God wanted. I couldn't stop thinking about it. I prayed for God to take it off my heart if this was not His plan or desire...but it stayed. So here I am, trying to take care of this trip, God's trip. All I can do is pray and trust God with all of my heart.
Thank you so much for any support or encouragement. New adventures are so exciting with God!
Feel free to email me if you have any comments, questions, or concerns...
I love you all very much and pray that God blesses and watches over you!
Love and Blessings,
Kelly
