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To Be an Explorer

A little background...

I love the idea of being an explorer. Five years ago, I walked into my townhome in College Station with a new and different direction in life. I want to say that it sprang from my love for photography and my desire to travel; nonetheless, I surprised my roommates with the shocking phrase, "Guys, I just want to be an explorer." I envisioned myself traveling to a secluded river in the middle of a deserted mountain range, where very few people in the world have visited, taking pictures of the view, and showing people God's beautiful creation--proof that He exists and has an almighty power that no one can fathom. How cool would that be?

So this idea of being an explorer of the world began and flourished. For the past five years, this desire has only grown more and more. Not only do I want to take pictures in my exploration, but I want to use the ability God gave me to educate children and adults as well. You see, after doing a study abroad for three weeks and student teaching for four months in Switzerland, I knew I wanted to help educate students abroad. The Lord gave me a passion to be abroad a long time ago, but he only confirmed it during my trips. Many of my friends gave their ears for hours while I shared my experience of traveling around Switzerland, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy, and seeing incredible things that only God could have formed. During this time, I felt like I could serve in a school or community abroad for the rest of my life! It was amazing to see and explore places I've never seen before.

After spending time at home for awhile, I could see the Lord working on my heart to go somewhere again, I just wasn't prepared for the extreme heart and life change it would bring. In July of 2009, the Lord sent me to Lusaka, Zambia to teach children about his love. I spent two weeks with the most beautiful orphans and experienced some radical miracles from the Lord. Exploring a country that is much much much less fortunate, in the eyes of America, but is striving to please and praise the Lord much much much more, humbled me to the core. How much more joy do these people get by just trusting and serving God?? A TON.

During those two weeks, God placed, in me, a heart of humility, service, and surrender. I'm not saying this past year has been a breeze, because Satan sure can weave his way into a person's life with such ease if he or she isn't truly focused on God's plan; however, the Lord is good, merciful, and just. He has constantly provided a path for me to follow at the exact time I need direction. Around March of 2010, God opened an unavoidable opportunity of exploration. Due to His grace and His plans, I will be joining Family Legacy, after a trip to Zambia for five weeks this summer, on staff in August. What a way to explore His creation and to help people! The exact time of departure to live in Zambia is unknown; it could be October or even January, but God has sent me to work with the newly developed schools in Lusaka. What a whirlwind of emotions: fear, excitement, joy, earnestness, and many others. I can't wait to see what is in store. Praise God, because He has a perfect path for the life of a humble explorer.

And so the exploring continues...

Lord, humble me to my knees, for YOU are my joy and my strength.

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