When I was sitting in the freezing cold watching the junior varsity softball team one night, my phone rang. I had no idea that my prayers were being answered at that very moment. I had been accepted to go with a team of seven strong Christians to the nation of Israel for five months!
From the moment my mom agreed to let me go and the moment I was accepted as a member of Serving and Evangelizing Nations in Despair (S.E.N.D.) ministries, I have been full of excitement and my days are full of responsibilities. On top of my schoolwork, I have to raise money and learn the life of a Jew. Financially, the mission is very demanding and it can cause stress. When I start to get anxious about the money, I think about how God tells me not to worry about tomorrow and that He will provide. If we are meant to go spread God’s word and love to the nation of Israel, God will provide.
Last Saturday, April 27, my new friend and team member, Luke Weeks hosted a benefit concert. It was a Christian Metal concert and none of us really knew what to expect. Four extremely talented bands, One Last Soul, Crucify The Flesh, Citadel, and my friends’ band, Anastasis, all performed in the concert at Central Fellowship. At $7 a ticket, $15 a shirt, and generous donations, we raised approximately $1,700. That is enough for a team member’s plane ticket! It was an amazing blessing and more than we imagined.
I was blessed in many ways other than the dollar amount, and I’m positive that others were too. In between bands and songs, band members gave testimonies and shared whatever God laid on their hearts, which is always great to listen to. The Lord moved many people and really opened up my own eyes. As the music blared, my ears ringing, the lights flashing, I looked around the intense crowd. What I saw was so much more than a bunch of rowdy kids jumping around and I heard so much more than obnoxious noise. Lots of people hear metal and think it’s something satanic. It’s a beautiful thing when you see this wonderful group of kids with their eyes closed and their hands raised up high worshipping God.
I jammed out with some really rad Christians and grew closer and closer to my team. With every fundraiser, business meeting, hangout and prayer meeting; I love these people more and more, which is a really good thing, considering we are going to be inseparable in a foreign country for five months. Each day I thank the Lord for the amazing people, obstacles, and opportunities that He has placed in my life. I would not be the person I am today or the person I will be if it weren’t for these things. Through it all, I am learning to look at things from a different perspective, trust in God wholeheartedly and do everything completely for Him. It’s amazing how this journey has impacted me before I even leave Decatur, America. It is and is going to be a life changing adventure for sure.
When I experienced the benefit concert, I started to think about all the different ways people worship Him. Whether it’s swinging a bat, throwing a football, singing, swimming, or shouting, they’re giving glory to God in what they do best. Going to Israel is my next step in glorifying Him.