In case some of you need reminding, or maybe you are just totally in the dark, I am moving to Northeast England in September (September 7 at 11:30am to be exact) to work with a ministry called UK-USA Ministries for at least one full year (for more info on them, visit www.uk-usaministries.com).
How did this develop? Well, I truly believe I was simply born with a sense of adventure and wonder. Since I was a child I have imagined traveling the world, running through lily-filled valleys, trekking the African savannas, climbing the highest mountains, exploring ancient ruins, encountering the beauty of historic architecture, and eating the most interesting foods along the way. Maybe it is Disney that poisoned me, or maybe it inspired me. Either way, somewhere along the way I developed a craving to go.
In the 8th grade, at a church event, I truly felt God calling me to a life of missions. Matt Papa was leading worship, and the lyrics of his song Here I Am, Send Me really struck a chord in my heart, especially the chorus:
Here am I send me
I’ll follow wherever You lead
I will tell the world that Jesus is the way
Send me Lord here I am
I offer my dreams my plans
I will give my life a living sacrifice
Lord here I am
As I sang along, I realized that I wasn't just singing the words; I was committing myself to something much greater. At that moment, I knew I was giving up any seemingly "normal" life. The life of the "American dream." The life that most people probably expected of me. I was sacrificing this idea in exchange for a much greater, increasingly crazier plan that God had for me somewhere else in the world. Overseas missions became my calling, though I had no idea how, where, or when.
Fast forward quite a bit: past high school, even through most of college. It's March 2014 and I am in the middle of my last semester of my undergraduate schooling. I'm about to receive a degree in Elementary Education (because I LOVE kids and know with my whole heart that no matter where I go in the world or what job I receive, my degree will benefit me and help me to be the leader that the kids I am placed with need).
Unfortunately, I have NO idea at this point what I m going to do with my life post-graduation. I had been praying about it for YEARS: that God would give me a sign, open a door, and send me. But, as usual, I had less than two months until the time to make a decision and had absolutely no clue. Blind faith is something God really likes to test me on.
Never mind that now, because It's spring break, and I had signed up to go on a 10-day mission trip to Northeast England with the college group at the church my family attends in Denison. Putting school and worries aside for a bit, I dove into an incredible experience as I served and encountered God through the incredible people of the Tees Valley.
Throughout those ten days of fellowshipping with my team and the people of UK-USA Ministries, working inside the schools and churches, meeting lovely youth and students, and embracing the culture end beauty of the area--a piece of my heart anchored to that place without my knowledge.
As I returned to the normal day-to-day schedule that the US so kindly greeted me with, I begn to ponder more about God's calling for my life. Simultaneously, I reflected on my experience in England: the conversations I had and the needs that I saw and the lessons that God taught me. I thought to myself, "What was God's purpose I sending me there?"
And suddenly, both questions were answered with this response: "to serve in England." My heart agreed with this, and after weeks of deep, tear-filled consideration, my mind joined in agreement.
Now I am obediently responding to this call. I have applied to serve with UK-USA Ministries, and they have graciously accepted me. I have friends there who are very anxious and excited for my arrival. At the moment, I do not know exactly where I will be assigned; I can be placed in a number of different towns within the Tees Valley. The ministry will carefully consider the strengths and personalities of each of us incoming workers, and place us with the team that they think we will most thrive in and will most benefit from our addition. With that, we will be assigned to a specific host home family, church group, and school that we will work with and build relationships with. This mysterious unknown is as frightening as it is exhilarating; but that just adds to the thrill of the adventure. No good story comes without anticipation, so I wholeheartedly welcome this as I hope you will too!
As for my finances, I am required to raise about $7500 for my entire year in England. This will cover everything from food, transportation, travel, and bills. I will be totally covered and taken care of with this. Fortunately, I only need to raise about $3500 by my departure on September 7.
So far, I have raised over $2000. I have been working full time at a coffee shop since May to try and earn as much as I can on my own. Thankfully, however, family and friends have been making generous donations to my cause, helping me profoundly to reach this lofty goal. God really has been providing, and I have no doubt that this money will be provided for His glory.
I am thrilled to prepare for this exciting journey. This summer, I hope to update you all on my experience as I continue to prepare to go. I plan for my posts to be much shorter, with simple updates about the life of a barista/pizza girl, my internship at the church, and my fundraising status. I love you guys and greatly appreciate your support, prayers, and thoughts.
T-6 weeks until I fly away!
Anxiously,
Alexa
Alexa
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