I've been on trips to Mexico, Zimbabwe, and Swaziland, but never as a leader before so this will be a whole new experience.   I love Africa, and like Amy, seem to feel a strong pull to return there time and time again.   It was actually when I was about 12 years old, however, that the LORD sp

oke to my heart and gave me a desire to go to the nations. I was alone praying in my room, and I opened the Bible and randomly put my finger down, begging that the Spirit would speak to me and direct me. The Holy Spirit had led me to these verses, "I the LORD have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant to the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness." (Isaiah 42:6-7).   I was like, "Ok, God wherever You lead from here on out, I will follow!" In my little 12 year old heart, I so clearly felt the heartbeat of God, the Spirit living inside me, and my trust in Him ad love of Him grew so much deeper that any fears of following Him even to the ends of the earth were completely demolished.