Taking Charge

My passion for Africa is indescribable. For years I have waited for the opportunity to travel and do my part in Africa. But sitting, waiting, wishing and hoping wasn't getting me far enough. The wait was so long, that soon, I gave up. I gave up on the idea of dreams that could become reality. I concentrated on the comfortable life I was living in Colorado and sank my efforts into becoming a teacher. A teacher was a position that I could always see myself living. I have always been relatively comfortable around children and knew the balance of being their friend and leader. So why not? I planned on staying with my serious boyfriend of the time and once we had gotten married, my teaching position would be easy to fill no matter where we traveled. My dreams of helping the people in Africa seemed more far away than ever.

But soon that comfortable lifestyle I wanted so badly seemed like the last thing I ever wanted. I knew that God had been calling me for years to live in the now, take chances, change peoples lives, use my experiences to help others, and help myself along the way. I had pushed God's voice that was telling me to "Take Action" to the back of my head. But on an uneventful day, I changed, I decided that I couldn't rely on other people to do what I was being called to do. Accomplishing my dreams would take more than idly standing by and waiting for something amazing to happen to me. I couldn't count on other people to "do their part" for me. The only way was to fix myself. I abruptly changed majors, from teaching to Geography and Environmental Studies with a minor in Sustainability. And suddenly, I let myself dream again. I looked forward to doing projects on the issues facing Africa and sitting in class learning about the regions. I started praying more, searching more, talking to organizations, applying to different places and setting it all in God's hands.

That is when, I literally, stumbled upon Experience Mission. They were exactly what I wanted. They tackled projects that hit close to home and I was attached to. Experience Mission also didn't wait for someone else to help, Experience Mission they took action also. Their mission is to, "... spread Christ's love by connecting people together from diverse cultures and backgrounds, developing leaders, and assisting those that live in under-developed communities with resources and support to enable them to reach their own communities and actively participate in extending out to the world."
This summer, I hope to travel alongside other amazing young adults and Experience Mission and travel to Africa for six months. I hope that this blog will inspire you. That you will find the courage to do your part (whether that is through prayers, donations, or even going on a mission yourself), just like I have.