I'm sitting here at the table this evening realizing that in exactly three months I will be sitting here spending the last evening with my family before heading on my one month trip to Uganda to serve with Rafiki Africa Ministries.
About eighteen months ago I was sitting at the kitchen table talking to Daddy about church stuff when he asked me a question that took me by surprise. Although I wasn't aware of it at the time that question would lead my life in a whole new direction. He asked me, "So what would it take for you to go on a mission trip?" I immediately had an answer for him. Which was a simple "No". Followed by a list of twenty reasons why that would never happen.
*I could never get the time off work
*Too much money
*Never want to fly in an airplane
*I don't get shots
*I don't like traveling
*I never want to leave the United States
*Too far out of my comfort zone
*I don't want to be away from my family
*I don't know enough
*I don't want to
Those are just a few of the many reasons I had that I couldn't go. Looking over at my answers I realize that most of them are just because I was selfish. It was about what I wanted and at that point I was more interested in staying in my comfort zone and doing what I wanted than listening to God. And I never really thought a little small town girl could really make a difference. But then over the course of time God kept working on my heart (and obedience) to Him and for missions and in January of 2014 I said yes to what God was laying on my heart to do. I called Dad and told him that I had no clue what I was doing or how I was gonna do it but I was ready to go. Being the practical, loving man he is, with excitement in his voice he said, "Great! Have you gotten your passport? How can we help?" Which was my introduction to the world of missions. Though being naive at that point I thought this was simply going on a two-week mission trip. So I got my passport, started raising money, getting all the paperwork done and wondering what in the world I was doing while my family supported me every step of the way. I don't think I would have ever been able to go without the incredible support I received from them.
Upon returning from spending two weeks serving God among the people of Peru I knew without doubt that was only the beginning of my work overseas. I spent time at the river having quiet time with God and praying. I asked Him where I was to serve, what His plan was and asking Him to guide me. I was still getting back into the routines of being home and not really expecting an answer right then and was a little blown away when my question was answered with one place. UGANDA. I wasn't even sure where Uganda was and you would think my faith by now would be enough I'd trust God on this one but my response went something like "Uganda? Where is that? No way? That's ridiculous! Why Uganda? You really want me to go to Uganda?!" I went home wondering if maybe I was just going crazy. But during the next few days God confirmed what He told me. Yes I was supposed to go to Uganda. For a month. So I immediately went and told my family who were once again excited and ready to support me.
What I didn't know at that time... is that Uganda would change my life. Before my bags are even packed part of my heart would belong to Uganda. I have no clue what I'm supposed to be feeling or if maybe I am just crazy but I have never felt more deeply connected to any place before. I have never felt such a burning, passionate desire to serve and make a difference in one place. The more I read, the more I find information and see their faces the more I know that part of me belongs there. I know that I haven't even stepped into the country and I've been told often that I have my whole life ahead of me, that I'm young and need to think about my future.. and maybe that's true but I know that the month I spend there this year is only the beginning. That in the next years I will spend more time there, perhaps much of my time. So right now my future is unknown and I'm okay with that. I would appreciate prayers as I find direction in my life. In the past couple years I have figured out that God doesn't like to leave me in my comfort zone for very long. I know that wherever He calls me for however long it is I will serve Him passionately and with desire for as long as I'm still breathing in this world.
~Until the whole world hears, Kriss
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