Rosanne's Experience
By Rosanne
November 18, 2004
One year ago, I never would have expected that God wanted me to go to Russia. I had my summer all planned out with a great job lined up and the comfort of what I thought would be security. It took me a long time to realize that my plans weren't necessarily God's plans, and though I thought mine would be best, it turns out that His were incredibly better.
While in Russia, God had a lot to teach me about trusting Him, about relationships and about His passion for the world. I wouldn't have been able to learn these things like I needed to without the global project experience. Leaning on Him and trusting in His plans not only for the big picture in going on the trip, but also in the day-to-day details while we were there was one of the hardest but most exciting things I had to do. Seeing God build relationships much deeper than we could ever do or imagine and allowing Him to guide us in those relationships and conversations was a new joy everyday. And learning more about what God is doing in other countries and through other cultures was essential to learning about and becoming more effective in my own culture.
Not only did I and the other Americans see things we needed to change in ourselves and begin that process, but we also saw that happening in our Russian roommates and friends. One of my roommates, for example, noticed the change in herself. She told me towards the end of our program together that she felt something was different in her, even though she couldn't yet pinpoint it. I knew she was right because I saw it as well. She went from someone who was very sure about what they believed and wasn't very interested in Christianity, to becoming excited about exploring the Bible and exploring different aspects of being a Christian and how that relates to everyday life. She developed a hunger and it was amazing to see her heart soften to the power of the Gospel.
Missions like these are so crucial to understanding more of God's heart for the world. He has big things going on all over the place and He wants us to be a part of it. If someone were to ask me if this experience was worth giving up the time, the money and what I thought was a well-planned and secure summer, I would again and again say yes. He provided all that I needed and more, the time, the money to go and an even better job! If you feel God may be asking you to go, thank Him for it and go do it! It won't be easy by any means, but let God take control and you will have one of the greatest summers of your life.
