It was my first opportunity to go on a trip oversees to share the Gospel, and I was so ready. God made me with a passion for speaking and a love for others, so I'd be perfect to evangelize to people anywhere, right?

What a surprise then, to find myself failing on day one to be able to connect with the men and women of this village in the Amazon. Even more surprising was the deep care God filled me with for the children of that village! I've never had a passion for working with kids, what's going on?

Are you ready for a surprise? When something doesn't go according to our plans, that doesn't mean it isn't going according to God's plans. What a relief then, to find myself thriving on day two by connecting with the kids in our Bible school lessons!

I found a love for working with children and a deep gratitude to God and the country of Brazil for this newfound passion, and this has made a profound change in the course of my life. I'm now training for vocational ministry because of what God awakened in my life through this small village in the Amazon.

God knew I was a fearful 28-year-old that didn't want the responsibility of sharing the Gospel, was afraid to go work and sweat in Brazil for two weeks, was afraid to fail and to not feel God at work, and He was not afraid like me. The beautiful truth is that every moment of my fear was a gentle push by God to take one step forward and watch Him do something amazing!