I went to Gallup for the first time in March 2023 with a mission team from my high school. I was rapidly approaching the end of my senior year of high school, and needless to say, I was very ready to graduate. I had already committed to a college and my classwork was getting lighter as the end of the year approached. That mission trip was just another thing I had to check off of my list to get to graduation day. Once I got to Gallup, my view of the trip changed. I realized that instead of trying to rush through this trip to the end of my senior year, I needed to slow down. I prayed to God and told Him that I wanted to be available to whatever He was calling me to. I prayed for opportunities for God to use me in the “in between” season; very quickly, God answered that prayer. I was presented with the opportunity to come back to Gallup in the summer. That was God saying, “You said you were available. Are you really?” After praying with some of my leaders, I decided to return to Gallup for the summer to serve at Creator’s Fellowship Church.

At first I was very nervous. I hopped on the plane not really knowing what to expect when I landed. Despite all of the unknowns, God gave me a sense of peace that I know only He can give. Once I got to Gallup, everything fell into place. I felt alive and truly on fire for God in a way that I never have before. I felt free in Christ because I was doing what He had asked me to do. While in Gallup, I worked at Vacation Bible School and I helped lead worship at church on Sundays. All of these experiences helped me build character and my faith in God. I learned how to endure through uncomfortable circumstances, such as heat and exhaustion, by leaning into the strength of God. Where I was weak, He was strong. I learned that the only way to get through homesickness and sadness was by leaning in close to God by continuously meditating on His Word. In New Mexico, I was able to create a rhythm of service and worship in my life that I wanted to continue when I returned home and then moved to college. My life has been changed for the better because I made a choice to be available to what God was teaching me. If anything can be learned from my testimony, I hope it is this: say yes to what God has called you to. Make your answer yes before He even calls. Stepping into God’s calling for your life is ultimately rewarding, even though it seems hard or uncomfortable at the moment.