The summer before my Sophomore year in high school, my grandparents sat me down and told me they were going to serve on a long term mission in Papua New Guinea. This completely shocked me. I was close with my grandparents, after all, they lived five minutes from my house. While they had gone on month long missions before, they had never been outside of the US, and now they wanted to serve for multiple months in a dangerous part of the world. To say the least, I was shocked. My grandparents had worked their whole lives and now being retired, this should have been their time to enjoy these comforts they had gathered. While we were limited in time and ability to talk to them, the little I could see was incredible. They had left everything they had known, and they were happy about it. Seeing the peace they had and the fulfillment they felt while serving, without family and familiar comforts, was incredible to me. To hear the stories of the people around them. Those who had nothing yet gave what little they could to God with a joyous heart. For them, Christianity was not a religion, but a salvation they were so eternally grateful for.
Two years ago, I did not know what I wanted to do with my life. Now, I count this experience as a blessing as God has used it to show me the ultimate purpose he has for me. I am convinced that God has called me to missions. From first feeling how there is no value in this world to then seeing the fulfillment that can be found doing the work of God, I know this is where I want to commit my life. The time I have is so very limited, but I pray God uses it to the full extent to glorify Him.
I consider it an incredible blessing to be able to work with Converge this next year, as I have been praying for such an opportunity for a long time. While the road to be where I am now has not been easy I know that serving in missions will require me to forsake my own desires and it will not always be pretty, but I also know that God offers a peace and a fulfillment that cannot be found in this world. It is this peace, this salvation, that I wish to share with others until the Lord calls me home.