A friend of mine wrote a post recently, called "Follow Your Arrow" talking about how we like to follow others lives. How reading about someone who is on fire for God, doing missions work in a foreign country, might excite your heart and make you want to jump into that life, but it might not be where you are supposed to be. I read Kisses From Katie this past year, and it made my heart excited for Africa, and I convinced myself, that Uganda was where I needed to be. I "prayed" about it, but I wouldn't really consider it praying. I asked God to send me to Africa, but I asked with my mind already made up. I prayed with the answer I was looking for already in my head. I decided that I would go to Uganda, Africa, and I would love orphans, the poor, the widow, and I would have this amazing story, people would be inspired by my works. I was so consumed with Katie's story that I lost sight of where God has asked me to go.
A few months later I met a beautiful family that has spent bunches of time in Uganda, their daughter lives over in Uganda, and I wanted to live her life so.badly. I saw the wonderful things she was doing and wanted to be in her shoes.
At this point my heart didn't want the country, my heart wanted to be in the spot light. I had become so consumed that I forgot who's works, unconditional love, and beautiful heart needed to be in the spot light.
Being consumed by someone else's story, with the details, and wanting so much to be like them, can be dangerous. We each have our own individual stories, with their own details, struggles, callings, and if we were all called to be missionaries in Uganda, Africa how would the rest of the world know Jesus? We each have our own place, that we are called, and our hearts tugged towards...my heart, isn't called towards Africa, anymore than it's called towards China.
When I was 13 and God brought the orphan crisis into my life, when I became aware, there were 2 places on my heart, Mexico, and Bulgaria. I never liked to admit it, which was silly, I was almost ashamed of my story because I wasn't venturing to Africa to minister in orphanages. But without fail, every time I decide "Africa is where I need to be!" God says "Ya, I don't think so. I need you in Hermosillo, Mexico and working to save my kids in Bulgaria." He turns me around and reminds me that my heart ins't in Africa, and I don't think it ever will be. I've tried to convince myself for years that I need to be there, but it was never a genuine feeling of content, love for that country.
In March it will have been 6 times that I have gone down to Hermosillo, Mexico every. single. time. I fall more in love, with the city, the kids, the language, it captivates my heart. If I wouldn't have made my own decisions without consulting God, I would know Spanish by now. It's a sad thought, but it's true. If I would have followed the path that God paved for me, I would be so much more involved in the things that truly have my heart.
My struggles, and failures are a part of my story. So I'm not entirely heart broken that I could know Spanish by now, or that I could be more involved in the areas that I truly adore. Over the past year, while fighting God and where He is asking me to be, I've learned that Africa, is not for me. God has beautiful, generous, inspiring people, that He is sending to Africa to be His hands and feet. As for me, He is sending me to Hermosillo, Mexico to be His hands and feet, He is sending me to advocate, and potentially show love to the kids in Bulgaria, that were abandon and have never been shown love.
So no, I am not going to Africa. March 14th-20th I will be in Hermosillo, Mexico. I will be helping build a new building, doing VBS with different churches around Hermosillo, and loving on some of the sweetest kids I know, and I would love it if you would play a part in getting me there. $315 is how much the trip will cost. But I am jobless. I have no doubt that God will provide the money in some way, last year I had the money in 3 days...Yes, God is that awesome. There is a donation button below where you can donate to help me with the small cost of my trip. Thank you, for continuing to support me, even though I'm not always sure where God wants me.
I recently posted this on my Facebook, it was short but go my point across.
"Follow your story. Follow God. Follow YOUR path. Yes, you may read a book that excites your heart, and makes you want to jump into Katie Davis' life, but that doesn't mean it's where God wants you. If we all went to Africa to be like Katie, then who is gonna reach the rest of the world? Go. Be a "Katie". But be a "Katie" where God calls you to go. For some of you, it may be Africa, but others it may be Ukraine, or China, Bulgaria, or Mexico, or maybe God wants you to be a "Katie" in your hometown. Because you know what makes Katie's story so exciting, real and inspiring? (In my opinion.) Her faith, trust, and obedience when she FOLLOWED GOD. When He asked her to leave everything. Her family, her boyfriend, her friends, her comfy life in the US, to FOLLOW HIM.
Be like Katie, but be like her in her faith, obedience, and trust when God asks you to go to a foreign land, or to the soup kitchen in your town. I've seen so many people recently (Including myself in the past year.) get so, so, so consumed in others lives, in their stories, so much so that they forget to say "God...Where does my story lead? Where do you need me to be?" It's easy to look at others lives, their passions, their "callings" and get consumed, and even wish we had their lives...But what about the unique, inspiring story that God has planned out for you, and your life? I encourage you to seek God, find out where He needs you to go."
God is asking me to go to Mexico, that is where my story leads. So...Have you asked God where your story leads?
Be Consumed With Your Story.
Consider helping me get to Mexico, to make a difference, and further share God's perfect love.
With love,
Alyssa
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