The Beginning of a Long Journey

First Time Called

For almost 20 yrs I have felt the pulling to go to New Zealand. I remember being a little kid sitting at the kitchen table looking at the stamps my dad and I collected. They were full of color and had the words New Zealand printed across top. As I looked at these stamps I felt God say, "you are going to go there one day." I tucked the stamps aside in a special place, and went on doing what kids do not knowing that this moment would be the beginning of a dream. 

It seemed that NZ was every where I went in life. From NZ Cafes and Kiwi Gelato shops, to even just being served NZ cuisines while traveling in Israel...I couldn't have gotten away from it if I wanted! While serving in Cleveland, TN I happen to have a NZ minister sitting in my section that was in town for 3 months doing ministry, and was more than willing to help teach me about their culture. 

I began trying to get to NZ my senior year in high school. However, this started a very frustrating journey of one door after another being shut. I would get accepted on mission trips and then some incident would occur that caused them to be canceled for the first time in years. I got my credentials with the Assemblies of God hoping that would clear to path, but yet again doors were slammed in my face. 

After having a couple very difficult years, I entered the year 2010 I just threw my hands up and thought maybe I have been making all this up...maybe I missed my chance. I was settled into a wonderful ministry as a youth/worship pastor at the Knoxville Christian Center, and I refocused myself on my students rather than "my calling."

However, God never ceases to be God and never ceases to have perfect timing! In August 2011, God used a very distinct situation to get my attention. After He had my attention the only thing He said, "Get to NZ asap!" It was just the kick in my tail I needed to get this thing rolling. Basically, I had to decided whether I was going do this or not. 

While there were many other doors that closed in my face, I had wonderful friends and family to remind me that God will make a way if He has called you. One said, "The harder it is the more glory God will receive when He gets you there." I sat in my room and came to the conclusion that I was going to NZ even if it meant me going on my own and traveling from church to church handing out my resume! 

I sent out my resume every where I could possibly find, and then one Sunday afternoon the area code 649 appeared on my phone. Just hear "hello Jessica" over the phone in a NZ accent was enough to make my heart leap for joy. After the phone conversation I fell to the floor crying in excitement knowing that the 20 yr dream was finally coming true. Not only did I receive that phone call, but received over 10 other e-mails from churches all over NZ. Here is it January 2012 and I am officially going to NZ February 19-April 23! The work, the tears, the confusion, the frustration, the determination and the obedience has finally paid off! Not only am I going to NZ but I am going to work for a Christian camp. My dream for year has been to be an inner-city Christian camp director in NZ! After talking with many...there are not many Christian camps in NZ, but somehow God got me connected with one of them! Coincidence? I think not! Almighty, powerful, awesome, all knowing God? Heck Yes!

I have started this blog to keep all of you who have been the support system I have needed through this journey informed and I cannot wait to tell you of all the things God is doing while I am on the other side of the world advancing God's kingdom!

Thank you ALL for your love! I could not do it without you!