Answering The Call....

Who: Carrie Cloke

What: Student Missionary- teaching elementary-aged children

When: August 3, 2008- May 28, 2009

Where: Majuro, Marshall Islands

Why: I answered the call. 

On March 29th, 2008 God told me to be an SM. At least I think so. I've never really audibly heard God speak, but this time I feel He spoke to my very core, and that is why I'm going to be an SM next year. Let me explain.

I was just a week away from dead week (for those of you who don't know that this means, 'dead week' refers to the week before finals) and busy studying and attending teacher conferences and writing papers.... and then I heard my friend Marisa telling someone that she felt the need to go be an SM next year. I have always felt the need to do mission work someday, and the fact that she could sign up so late intrigued me. That day I spent the day in prayer, feeling a slight tug at my heart because I've been wanting to do this for a very long time. At work, I was fervently asking God for some sort of sign, some kind of billboard for me to understand if he wanted me to go or not. Seconds later, the song that came on my Ipod sang, "Jesus, I believe in you, and I will go to the ends of the earth for you!" I was shocked and amazed and nervous and overwhelmed at the idea that God might be wanting me to go somewhere to do mission work. The next few days were a blur, I went in and talked to the missions office telling them I was interested, and the next thing I knew I was filling out paperwork, meeting with the head of missions, and pinning down Majuro as a possibly final location. In just a little over a week, I had two packets of about 30 pages of paperwork completed, and applied for a visa. And now my adventure begins! I'm beginning the fundraising aspect, in hopes that I will raise enough to be able to leave in time. I'm in awe of God and can't wait to see what He does this summer! :)