Background

Here is the back story to my salvation and decision to go to Ukraine.

     I was dating a girl in high school and part way through my senior year I broke up with her. I had spent too much time and energy on my relationship with her and none went into my relationship with God. To me, He did not exist. I looked through a few religions and came to Buddhism as the ultimate answer. Their veiws made sense to me so I began to pursue it. I purchased some books, listened to podcasts, began to meditate, I even went to a Buddhist meditation hall. I was convinced that this was the path for me.

     Then I went to Walla Walla University for my freshman year and I felt like I was a tuna swimming alone in an ocean of sharks. Everywhere I turned there were Christians talking about things I had no interest in. I had to attend "worships" and "CommUnitys". I had to take religion classes, and much to my displeasure the only religion offered was Christianity.

     I didn't make it through the first quarter before God started to show me His love. There were a bunch of great guys on my hall, most of which were freshmen. There were five that had a profound impact on my religious views. Their love for me was astounding. They loved my without knowing what religion I was. When I told them how wrong they all were, that there was no God, they were hurt by my words, but that didn't mean that they stopped loving me.

     By the time that Thanksgiving break rolled around, I was starting to see the light. Over break I went for a walk where my thoughts eventually lead me to saying a simple prayer. It was something to the effect of "I don't know if you actually exist, but they seem to believe so. If you are up there, we've got a few things to work on. Not right now, but soon". Over Christmas break I decided to read the Bible in 90 days. Before you sit back and think that I made this impressive goal a reality realize this, Christmas break is not 90 days long; I had school, too.

     While I did not reach my goal, I did read enough that I am confident in God's existence. I made it far enough to realize that I was being called on a mission trip. I was able to pull up my big boy pants and go in to the Student Missions office for information. While there I noticed a call in Ukraine. I don't know why, but I have not been able to get that call out of my mind since. I just had to go, and I made it all the way through the application process to being accepted.



     People have asked why I want to go on this trip. I have given the simple answer,  "I feel like I need to do this". The truth is a little more in depth than this. While I do feel like I am being called to go on this mission, I also believe that this trip will solidify my faith in God. Nothing will prove to me more the power of God than placing my life in His hands. Nothing can grow me more, both spiritually or otherwise, than spending a year in a foreign country serving Him.