If you had told me a year ago that I would commit to moving overseas for two years, I probably would have laughed out loud. My journey to this decision looked very different from that of many of the Goers I've met. Many of them describe having a moment when they simply "knew" they were called to go overseas. I never experienced anything like that.
I had never been on a short-term missions trip, and I hadn't traveled much at all. From the outside, this decision probably seemed a little crazy, to say the least. If I'm honest, I thought the same thing: Is this crazy? I always believed that going overseas was something reserved for an elite group of Christians, but the Lord showed me just how wrong I was.
During my senior year of college, God began to break down my misconceptions about serving Him in this way. He gave me a burden for the lost that I could no longer ignore. As I looked at the brokenness of the world, I became deeply convinced that the hope found in Christ is exactly what people need.
A friend encouraged me to apply for GoCorps and even held me accountable to finish my application. Looking back, I realized the only things disqualifying me from this work were the lies I believed. God wasn't disqualifying me—I was. I had allowed my own doubts and insecurities to convince me that I wasn't capable. Which is true. I am not capable, but Christ is.
Over time, the decision became surprisingly simple. People need the gospel, and God's heart longs for them to know Him. It's difficult to put into words what it feels like to take a step of faith like this—to make a decision about a future you can't yet see clearly. My decision to commit two years of my life to serving God overseas wasn't based on certainty or comfort. It was born out of obedience and conviction.
So, with open hands I'm beginning this journey to Spain!