Caitlin's Story

When I was in 10th grade I went on my first overseas mission trip to Ecuador. Until that point, I had planned on becoming a veterinarian. That trip changed my life forever! I had always heard of people changing their plans and becoming missionaries and thought “that will never be me”. HA! I remember sitting during worship on night thinking “God what are you talking about? Me a missionary? I love my family, I love animals, and I have this plan all worked out. I don’t want to go away and never see my family and friends again!” But after a few months of fighting with Him and gaining wisdom from family and friends, I knew I did not have a choice. Each summer for the next three years, I took a short-term overseas mission trip to Peru. I fell in love with missions. My passion continued to grow stronger and I could not imagine how I would live without it. In fact, I began to see how God was preparing me for travel even before I was born. During my parents 1st two years of marriage they were in Japan because, my dad was in the military. My parents raised our family traveling all over the United States camping with mainly necessities. More importantly, my family had a very strong Christian background. I grew up in my church and realized I was desperate for Christ at 9 years old. I remember sitting in my pastors office talking to him about my salvation and he asked me if I had prayed the prayer I said yes, of course, did not want to give him the wrong answer! I remember closing my eyes and saying, “Lord, please come into my heart”. I know I did not realize at that time how that would alter my life forever but I knew I needed Him. I continued to grow and learn about God’s love and His sacrifice for us. In high school, I really began to understand that being Holy (separated) was the only way we as believers were ever going to make a difference in this world. (Something I still struggle with today.)

Sadly, my last mission trip overseas was the summer after my first year of college. I remember flying home and upon return bursting into tears on a friends shoulder because I did not know why I had returned to the States that year. Since then anytime, I became interested in a mission trip or researched an opportunity God shut the door. Looking back, I feel as though it was to get me through college because He knew if I left again I was not coming back. I finished school last summer and immediately found a full time job, which I love! But, I never gave God the opportunity to open a door for me long term in between school and a career. However, God works in many ways and this will be my first overseas mission opportunity in 5 years! I am very excited to spread God’s love to the orphans in the Dominican as well as the workers who spend day in and day out with these precious children! This is the re-beginning of many mission opportunities to come!

My heart is to reach those who have never felt the love of Jesus and who are longing to fill that void in their life! God has called us to be a “living sacrifice HOLY and PLEASING to Him”! Romans 12:1-2. A living sacrifice that is what I want to be called!