It was with my feet on the very African soil that I had felt God pulling me towards for almost 10 years, that I committed years of my life to serving in a different nation. I have been dreaming of missions since my 12 year old self saw a vision of me living in a different country, specifically one in Africa. I spent years watching videos, researching, and itching to know these people and the land the Lord had so clearly placed on my heart. Because of this, partnering with an organization like GoCorps was a no brainer- I knew all I wanted was to GO. It was also an easy decision to begin looking into Africa options. However, if you glance at my description you can see this is not where I ended up.
In full transparency, I spent months looking for organizations outside of GoCorps in search of the perfect placement. I had many very exciting options and felt as though one country in Eastern Africa was specifically being highlighted, and I was ecstatic about it. At the same time, I was waiting on the Lord’s voice and some small part of my soul was not content. So, I decided to do something about it.
I prayed and fasted for a week. My focus: hearing the specific country God was calling me to in this season. And by the end of the week, I had heard nothing. Frustrated and even more confused, I dramatically lifted up prayers similar to those of Psalm 13, “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” And in His love and patience, I was confronted with closed doors. Every single option I had called and told me they were no longer options that next week. And I was back to square one after months.
But God was faithful in leading me back to GoCorps, and through this the very first option I ever looked at: the middle east. So I surrendered my dreams and began a new path. The first time I read about this team months ago, my heart had dropped and began pounding; but, I pushed it to the side, thinking I knew better than God. After reading it again with renewed vision, I called my now team leader, and was met with overwhelming peace- my soul had known this would be home the whole time. The very next day I stepped off a plane in Uganda, scared my short term trip would end in heartbreak with me wishing I could stay there rather than go where God was calling me. Instead, the peace only continued. God has been leading me still to this day and I follow in blind obedience, my eyes set only on His face. His plans are better than anything I could have imagined.
Oh, and that country in Eastern Africa that I felt was highlighted but God closed the door? Turns out I will be ministering to them in the middle east, as a huge population lives there and is served by the team. God is so funny.