Here I am Lord, Send Me. Isaiah 6:8
Isaiah 6:8 is the verse that I believe highlights my vocation through Christ, as well as my passion. I first felt this way when I was 11 years old and I saw a video of Rhyan, a family friend from Fergus Falls, who my parents constantly refer to as “world’s greatest babysitter.” She was in Haiti, saying goodnight to a multitude of beautiful little babies as they responded with “lalu” and endless kisses.
After seeing this video, my heart was immediately set on fire. All I wanted to do was go to a foreign country and show God’s love to these babies. This was not a short-lived desire.
Years later, during the fall of my sophomore year of high school, I was finally able to put this passion into play as I took my first trip to Guatemala with a group from church. This group also included my mom, my brother Logan, and my cousin Brooke. It was truly amazing to learn about God’s people in such a faraway place but still have the comfort of my family along. Not only was it special to share with my family, but while there, I added a little girl named Angela to my family as well.
Angela (as pictured above) is a beautiful 16-year-old girl who I sponsor so that she has some help with the finances of attending school. Angela is dedicated and wants to be a doctor when she grows up. Although my Spanish is absolutely terrible, she and her brother Mario were troupers as we attempted to speak about soccer and our similar interests. I also had the opportunity to go to her home and meet her mother who is an inspiration. I learned so much from this family because no matter what happens, they continue to praise God through it all.
The following year, I was able to return to Guatemala one more time, but this time without the comfort of my family. While preparing I thought that this would be terrifying. However, from the moment I arrived till the second I left, I felt at home. The weeks that I spent in Guatemala those two years confirmed my passion for foreign missions. That is why, as a freshman in college, I have chosen to major in Director of Christian Outreach at Concordia University in St. Paul, MN.
All of this brings me to the reason that I will be writing this blog! This past Christmas, I went to Haiti with my entire family on both a vacation and to do a small mission. I was finally able to visit Rhyan, my previous babysitter who made the above video “Goodnight Kisses.” While there, and since we returned, I have been working on an opportunity to do a short internship in Haiti (with Rhyan!) this fall. In this blog, I hope to keep you updated on my preparations and share the thoughts in my heart.
Send Me 