Brazil or Zambia???

This past summer, I was was given an amazing opportunity to go on a missions trip with my cousin to a remote village in Panama. I learned a lot about myself on the trip, and who God wanted me to become. It was such a great experience and I knew as soon as I got home that I wanted to go on another one. So once the new trips came out for this summer for the organization that I had gone with, I immediately started flipping through all of them. At first I thought I wanted to just go back to Panama, but I quickly realized that that was not God's plan for me. I had told myself that I wouldn't go on any of the Africa trips that they were offering. I felt like practically every missionary went to Africa. I wanted to go some place that was unreached by the gospel. But I decided to just look through the Africa trips and see what they were like, and I was immediately drawn to the trip to Zambia. On the trip to Zambia we would be running a camp for about two weeks for kids who were orphans and had lost their parents to AIDS. I loved the idea of working with children, and being able to develop a relationship with them. And I thought this is where God was calling me to go, but then my church announced that they would be going a missions trip this summer to Brazil with missionaries that my church supports. Then I wasn't sure where I was supposed to go anymore. In Brazil the church would be running a VBS for kids of all different religions and races at an International school. My youth leader really would like me to go, because she said I would be helpful to the other people on the trip who had never been on missions trips before, because I would be able to offer more support and guidance.

I want to make the right decisions. I want to make sure that I go where I will be most effective for God. I want to make sure I go where he is calling me. The trip to Brazil will cost about $1,500 and the Zambia trip would end up costing $4,600. Big difference, but I know which ever one I end up choosing, God will provide the financial support. I also, want to make sure that I am not choosing Brazil just because all my friends would be going, or I would feel more comfortable there because I would know everyone, but I also want to make sure that I am not choosing to go to Zambia because I am more scared and afraid. I think I'm just asking that you guys would pray that God will show me the direction that I should go, and that I don't decide based on other people pressuring me to one or the other, but I decide because I truly know that that is where God is calling me to go. If you have any advice to I would also really appreciate it.

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Comment by Hannah Marie DeForrest on October 25, 2012 at 3:48pm: Jordan,

I am so glad you ahd such a great time in Panama!!!!!! God is Good! It I was in your shoes, I would go to Brazil and help run the VBS! I think it would be a great palce for you because you would be with people you know plus you would be working with kids in either situation so you would still being what God wants for you! he just needs to pick the place that will be the best for you! Hope this helps!

Comment by Leorah on October 17, 2012 at 1:58pm: Jordan, I am fifteen and when I was ten, my parents moved my family from a city to an extremely small town. My best friends live two hours away because I couldn't ever relate to anyone my age here. Most of the girls dream of marriage and talk of nothing else. Because of this, I have had a lot of time to think of what I want to do with my life. And most of my dreams are pretty big. (This song describes me completely - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKCGBv65w_M) When I was thirteen, I decided the thing I wanted most. And that was to become a teacher in a rural part of the world.

I have always loved teaching and have tutored several kids for several of years now. I would love to help teach kids about God as well as improve their education. This was and is one of those dreams that I think of every night before I go to bed and want more than anything else in the world. That was all I ever did though...dream about it. One day though, I got an offer to go to Mexico to help teach kids with special needs for three weeks.

I was ecstatic. I just KNEW this was what God wanted me to do! I remember I didn't even sleep that night I was just so happy and thrilled at where my life was going! Finally, my dream was coming true. God was calling to me and there was no better feeling in the world! And then I started telling people about it. And no one seemed to get what I was feeling.

No one understood how passionate I was about it nor did they support me. My family was happy for me but I could tell they thought I was too young. And I knew they would be worried sick the whole time. My siblings constantly hinted how difficult it would be with my parents. And all the sudden everyone started bringing up my sister's death. Obviously it was their tactic of sorts to get me not to go. And it worked. I didn't go. And it has bothered me ever since.

What I am trying to say by all of this is to go to the one you feel most passionate about. It doesn't matter the reason why you feel most passionate about it although God should be at the top of your list. Don't let anything get in your way between you and your passion because I cry every time I think I didn't take that offer to Mexico.

It has definitively helped me spread my wings (song above) but as stronger and more determined as it has made me, it still hurts. I shouldn't have had to have this kind of heartbreak to give me the courage to ever try to fly towards my dream. I wanted it just so much...

I know you will have an amazing time, learn a lot, and get closer to God at either place you decide to go. But think of how much more amazing the experience will be if you are truly passionate about it! So yeah, that is my advice. =)

P.S. That is awesome about your trip to Panama!♥