If you know me well, then you probably know I am often willing to spend a lot of money. I have several stories where I’ve spent a ridiculous amount of it to do something or to have something fun. Like this one time I spent over $1000 to ski/snowboard with my friends Campbell and Evelyn for literally one day. It’s a long story, but to make it short, the rental shop completely ran out of everything but we had already waited hours to get our lift passes. The two options were to buy our equipment or lose out on our passes and a fun day on the slopes. I wasn’t about to miss the fun, so I opted to buy our equipment instead! It was definitely worth it, and I have plenty of other stories like this.
While preparing for this journey, there have been people who have ask me why I’m doing it when the cost seems so high. I’ve gotten comments like “is it really worth quitting your job?” or “I can’t believe you sold your house for this, what are you going to do without a house or job?” If I’m being completely honest, in true Chelsey fashion, I didn’t really consider how much it would cost me before committing to go. I believed it was an adventure God wanted for me, and I dove right in. Over the last month or so, I’ve really been wrestling with these questions though. I’ve come to realize it’s costing me almost a year away from family, friends, and a loving community. It cost me my six figure job and my house. I had to leave my dogs, Addie and Bennett, and I’m not really sure Addie will make it until I return. I’m giving up so many comforts, like a bed, instant hot water, and control of what I eat. This is really just a short list of a few bigger things, but there are plenty more, and I would imagine there are more than a few of you saying that this trip costs too much.
So why am I still going? Well I truly believe it would cost more not to go. I have an incredible opportunity to share Jesus with people who don’t know Him. Some of you might say I can do that at home, and you’re right, but these are people groups that have never even heard the name Jesus. I get to take His good news to areas with populations of less than 1 percent Christians that don’t have churches on every block. There are entire groups of people who are more likely to live their entire lives without hearing about our Savior, and if I truly believe what the Bible says, then I know it will cost them eternity. So I’m going because I believe not going would cost peoples’ lives. Obviously we are not all in a position to be able to up and leave for a year, but I encourage you to ask yourself: How much are you willing to pay for the sake of Christ? The cost can be high, but I’m finding the cost to walk away is more.
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“And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” Hebrews 12:1b-2a NIV |
Trip Update: We are officially in Romania! Well half of our team has made it, but unfortunately there are several team mates that are currently in Gainesville, GA in quarantine. It would be great if you could be praying for health among our team and that we can all be reunited soon! Thank you to everyone following along on this journey, your support means so much to me and my entire team!
