Where it began.

It is so surreal to be at a point where I get actually speak definitely about my plans for next year! I am writing this letter to share with you all where I’m at in this journey of faith with our amazing Creator.

A little synopsis on me- Since I was super little I have had a hunger for missions.I’ve grown up in a wonderful Christian home with parents who fearlessly pursue the power of the gospel and always direct my eyes back to Jesus. Personally, my faith did not truly become my own until my freshman year of high school. But even now, I have merely scratched the surface of who God is. Feeling so satisfied while wanting so much more.

For me, along with probably every human being on the face of the planet, I’ve always had a preconceived idea on how I saw my life going. It was obvious, after high school I’m going straight to college. Not even a question for me. But the past couple months God has brought me to a place I NEVER expected (and could not be more excited about!) After being accepted academically as well as recruited into the collegiate soccer program at my dream college, Anderson University, it did not feel the way I anticipated. After years of dedicating myself to schoolwork and athletic training with the hopes of making that dream a possibility, still I did not feel ready.

Now missions has always been lingering somewhere around in my head, but I pushed away those thoughts because I was focused on my own personal timeline. Despite my stubborn little self, God kept sweetly reminding me, through the people I have met and the conversations I have had, of that call to the nations. The more I sought after Him I felt sure God was calling me to make the world my classroom in the year 2016-2017! Basically, the Lord’s timing is so so much greater and deeper than any of my little game plans could ever be.

So here’s the exciting part! Back in January God began stirring in my heart the idea of spending a year to help a missionary family. I began praying God would open a door for me. A missionary family based in Limassol Cyprus, Joshua and Joanna Fleming, were on my mind constantly but I did not know the next step. So I kept searching... only to find out from Joanna’s mom that she has been praying God would send someone to help with her kids and ministry! So that was it! After a few skypes and emails, God open the door for me to spend eight months in Cyprus, serving alongside Joshua and Joanna. First of all... Like what the what!? I will never understand what God saw in me when He decided to bless me with this opportunity. The past couple months I have been in a battle with myself. While I am beyond excited to start college with my friends and play soccer, I felt a pull to wait. One morning God hit me with this, “Sarah, slow down. College isn’t going anywhere. I have something else for you right now.”

My hope is to spend this school year doing life with an amazing, God-fearing family. During my stay with the Flemings I will be nannying three of the most adorable kids ever, working alongside Joanna in the Sri Lankan church, building relationships with sex traffic victims, teaching English, and assisting a kids soccer team! And let me tell you, THAT excites me more than anything!!! For me to live is Christ. This opportunity isn’t about me, my ability to build relationships, minister or my personal aspirations. My words, my talents, and dreams will always fall short when founded on self reliance. My prayer is through taking a “year on” overseas I will be stretched and challenged far beyond my comfort zone. Through being stripped of the comforts of family, friends, and culture I want to learn to become so fearlessly dependent on God and God alone. For Him to break my walls and build and add on new callings and passions within me.