I can remember Mother Teresa being my childhood hero.
I recall reading a story about her picking leeches off of people in Calcutta singing “Amazing Grace” and kissing their foreheads and tending to their wounds.
She wasn’t afraid to get dirty, to go the broken ones, the dying ones.
One man on his deathbed said I knew you would find me Jesus as he looked into Mother Teresa’s eyes.
God pricked my heart and I can remember something inside of me saying, “I want to touch the un-touchables, I want the Father’s heart of compassion, to go and be His hands and feet… that is my dream.”
Obviously, that was God’s dream for me and He was preparing me and birthing His plan for me even then.
I went on mission trips ever chance I could and each time that was another spark ignited my fire and passion for the nations.
I know that each time I left my “comfort” zone in the states I felt like home wherever I was, I know now that I felt fully alive when I was on the mission field.
I could sense a feeling that this is what I was created for; yet I didn’t know that 5 years later God would call me full-time to “go and make disciples.”
I can’t say that there is a specific place or people group I was called to, I just love people and especially those who are hopeless, hurting, and hungry for Jesus.
Somewhere between college and work I pushed aside my calling and passion for the lost and settled for mediocre living.
I worked with kids and continued doing “good” for mankind, but I was dying inside.
I wasn’t even allowed to share Jesus who was really the only answer for healing that my clients needed.
I was so tired and weary and was becoming more comfortable with the world.
I came home from work one evening and had an appointment with Jesus.
I got on my face and said, “Lord, I give you all of me… all of my future… have your way in me- I am tired myself and the emptiness this world has to offer.
Here I am God, send me.”
He did… within 3 months I was in India working with Tsunami victims.
When I was there I heard the Lord say, “I am going to send you to the “un-touchables”, the orphans, and the hopeless.”
When I returned from that trip I couldn’t escape my Kingdom Identity call.
Within 2 months I was asked to join Adventures In Missions as a Church Mobilization Representative.
I lead short-term trips for youth groups to inner-city, New Orleans (Katrina Relief), and Mexico.
This was the first time I was introduced to listening prayer, waiting on God and listening for His voice.
It was amazing the fruit of the ministry as I asked God, “who do you want to touch today, to minister to… it was life-changing to join God in what He was doing instead of trying to “do” for God.
This summer God opened up a door for me to lead a college-age trip to India for 2 months.
It was there God birthed in me a passion for discipleship; a heart for people to grasp their identity in Christ.
It broke my heart to see young adult living in bondage with guilt of past sins and so hungry for freedom.
It was amazing to see them be used by God in mighty ways and for them to walk in freedom and see themselves as Christ sees them
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During my time in India my heart was moved by the orphans and be able to love them with the Father’s love.
When I returned I knew I was going to be a part of the discipleship team, but didn’t know where we were going.
After much prayer and seeking the Lord we were given confirmation to go to Swaziland, Africa.
I can remember one night asking God for “keys” and I said, “keys to the forgotten and orphans” God heard my cry.
It is awesome to know that Jesus is a father to the fatherless and I can go to be His hands and feet and bring the Father’s love to those who are crying out for hope.
I know that I have been bought with a price and to live is Christ.
It has been my prayer that God would grant me a willing heart to obey and take up my cross and follow Him.
I know it isn’t comfortable, but God isn’t interested in my comfort, He is interested in His kingdom.
I have awakened to my Kingdom Call and I can not deny it.
His voice is a resounding thunder in my heart saying “go and make disciples of all nations” there is a hurt and dying world that is in need of Jesus.
Many people are screaming on the outside/inside would somebody help me; the answer is Jesus.
