Why I am going

Ever since I got back from my missions trip from the Dominican Republic, I knew I wanted to do more work on the mission field. I prayed that God would give me opportunities to do that. In summer 2012 I started to pray more seriously about going to Zambia. My original plan was to leave soon after graduation and return in early August, but then I realized that I would be done with school so I started to pray about staying for longer. I didn't tell my parents that plan at first, but when I did they were open to the idea.

I was thrilled that my parents were open to the idea of me staying longer, and since I decided to stay for a few months I told my parent I would pay for my entire ticket.....little did I know how much it would cost. I started out with about $30 in my jar of money for Zambia. I remember talking to a friend about how I was worried that I wouldn't be able to raise the money I would need. My friend told me not to worry, because if it was Gods plan for me to go to Zambia, I would get there. From that point on, I started to pray differently and started to rely on God more, before that I wasn't trusting Him enough. Soon after I had that conversation with the friend, money was pouring in. I did a bake sale and raised $150, and most of that money came by donations from people who found out why I was raising money. A few pastors also donated $202 when they found out what my goal was. I also started to babysit more than I ever have.

Another problem, was who I would fly over with. Once again, I asked God that he would send someone who also had the desire to go to Zambia. Within the next few days, I got a message on Facebook from a friend who knew of someone going to Zambia around the same time I wanted to go, and I was told I could go with them.

It has been amazing to see how God is answering one prayer after another an He continues to open the doors for me to go to Zambia.

As I get more money for the ticket, I start to get more and more excited about leaving. Some days it doesn't feel real that in a few months, I will be leaving the place that I have always known as home and be living in a new place for a short time. It doesn't seem real that all the people who have been supporting me all the way won't be a phone call away. There will be change in my life, I'm sure that when I get there it will be different then I expected, but better than I expected. I can't wait to see what God has on store for me and what He will have me do.

"Also, I heard the voice of The Lord saying, 'whom shall I send and who will go for us?' Then I said 'Here am I l! Send me.'" (Isaiah 6:8)