Posted in General Posts by Krista Autrey on 10/15/2011
Last night I got to hang out with a handful of really awesome freshmen and sophomores while making about 1000 pancakes. (Side note: These really incredible freshmen and sophomores decided that instead of going downtown to the bars on Friday night, they would make hundreds of pancakes and take them downtown around midnight and give them out to people for free, no strings attached. Pretty neat.) It was a blast, literally…and I never call anything a “blast.” And even though I had so much fun getting to hang out with these incredible people, the entire five hours that we were sitting there making pancakes I couldn’t help but think how sad it was that in a few short months I’ll no longer have a chance to invest in their lives. They are incredible people doing incredible things for the Kingdom of God and pretty soon, I’ll no longer be a part of it. While I do find this very sad, I am also eager to see what they do for the Kingdom over the next couple of years that they are in Auburn. I have a good feeling God is going to use them in really big ways.
Speaking of this weekend, in less than 36 hours I will be on my way to Training Camp for the entire week. It blows my mind that it’s already the middle of October. I really feel like it should be more like June. I suppose I’ve known this was coming the whole time its just that now that its getting so close, the idea of me leaving soon is starting to really take root. Changing seasons in your life is much easier said than done. I’ve always thought of it kind of like my life and everyone in it will still be there, now it will just exist without me. It’s a weird thing to come to terms with.
Even though I’m slightly apprehensive about training camp, I’m really excited too. I’m finally going to get to meet all of these people that I will be spending the next year of my life with, which is overwhelming, but good. I know it’s going to be a pretty challenging week but challenges typically bring forth growth and growth (in the right direction) is always good too. I’m excited to see what this week holds. In the mean time, I have to figure out how I’m going to get a tent, a sleeping bag/pad and a week’s worth of clothes into what seems like an ever-shrinking 65L backpack. Today should be fun.
Even in the midst of all of this emotional turmoil (excited, nervous, sad, happy, etc.), I’m still very confident that God is at the center of all of this. I’m excited to see the ways He will work in the coming months and in the coming year. His ways are so much higher than my ways and His plans always far outshine my own and even though I don't always realize this in the moment, it's always nice to look back and realize how in control He really is.
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Posted in General Posts by Krista Autrey on 6/26/2011
I often get asked which country I am most excited about visiting next year. I don't think I've actually been able to answer this question appropriately yet. I usually end up just naming all of the countries and the truth is, I am excited about visiting all of them, slightly apprehensive about some but mostly excited. God is working in some really powerful ways around the world right now and I cannot wait to be a part of that. That being said, here are the countries I will be going to next year.
Philippines
Fun Fact: The Philippines is predominantly Roman Catholic but Islam is a growing religion on the island of Mindinao.
China
Fun Fact: Of China's 1.3 billion people, approximately 130 million of them claim to be Christian, most of whom worship in illegal house churches since public churches are required to be registered with (run by) the government.
India
Fun Fact: India is the birthplace of 4 major world religions (Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism). Currently only 2.3% of the population claims to be Christian.
Nepal
Fun Fact: The Nepalese government is currently considering enacting a new code that would ban proselytizing and changing one's religion to anything other than Buddhism and Hinduism. Feel free to click here if you want to read more about this.
Swaziland
(Not so) Fun Fact: Swaziland is the home of the world's highest HIV/AIDS infection rate and it is estimated that the country will not even exist by the year 2050.
Mozambique
Fun Fact: The Mozambique constitution provides for freedom of religion and the government usually respects this right.
South Africa
Fun Fact: Even though this country is one of the wealthiest on the continent, it still struggles with a high rate of HIV/AIDS and most of those who live outside of the cities are still poor.
Moldova
(Personal) Fun Fact: Ever since hearing about Stella's House at a college Christian retreat called Gulf Coast Getaway a few years ago, I have had a really great desire to go to Moldova. Naturally, I'm pretty excited that I'm actually getting to go here on behalf of the Kingdom.
Romania
Fun Fact: Supposedly while here we are going to be working/living with the Gypsy community in the northern regions of Romania. I have no idea what that means but it sounds pretty cool.
Haiti
Fun Fact: Less than 20% of Haitians over the age of 15 can read and write, not to mention the country is still trying to recover from the earthquake of January 2010.
Dominican Republic
Fun Fact: The Dominican Republic is the only Spanish-speaking country I will be going to. It is also the last country I will be going to. I can speak Spanish decently well (I'm not quite as good at understanding it though) but I'll be surprised if I remember any of it by the time I get there. I'll be praying about that.
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Posted in General Posts by Krista Autrey on 6/12/2011
*Disclaimer: The World Race is an eleven-month Christian mission trip where I will travel to a different country every month to do mission work. I will travel to each country with about 60-70 people between the ages of 21-35 and then will be on a smaller team within that group of about 6-7 people. Click here if you want to read more about where I will be going.
I still go into a little bit of shock when I think about what is in store for me next year. Oddly enough, I never really thought about how crazy it was until I finally verbalized it to someone and then I thought, “Wow, that’s crazy. What am I thinking?” It certainly was not a decision arrived at lightly though. In fact, my decision had about seven months of serious thought and prayer behind it. So even now, nearly three months after I was accepted, it is still a decision I am confident in.
Why am I going? There are many reasons and some I am still trying to work through but I’ll explain a few of them the best I can now. For the past two or three years I have had this growing desire to be a part of God’s Kingdom around the world. I believe this desire was born sometime when I was serving with his church in Honduras. It was there that I began to realize that his church was not the same in all parts of the world. Growing up, church was confined to four walls and as much as I hate to admit it, prayer was really reserved for asking. “Giving thanks” was what you did before a meal. I hate to sound cliché but the people of Honduras rocked my world with all matters concerning church and prayer. They got down on their knees, crying and thanking God in prayer…not just begging him. They had asked humbly and He had given generously and they were not shy about showing their appreciation for it. Even though at the time I had not even heard about the World Race, I believe that was when my path started shifting in its direction.
After hearing about the World Race, I knew that it was something that I would really like to do. I just wasn’t sure if it was something that I would actually do. After praying about it for months though, it seemed like all signs were strongly pointing in that direction. So, when it finally came time to apply…I did. All of that to say…I’m going because it seems to be the place God wants me next. Even though I firmly believe God is big enough that he could use me wherever I end up, I also believe that he is calling me a little more strongly to the Race right now. I am excited to see the ways He is planning to work through me next year and even more excited (and perhaps a little apprehensive) to see the ways He is planning to work on me. I know it will be difficult but that’s part of the journey and I can’t wait to see where it leads.
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