Well, I thought that before this adventure begins I better explain how this big thing came to be. As I was peacefully enjoying my second semester at Kuyper College I was beginning to make plans for the future, which is something every good student learns to do...
As I was pondering my future over a coffee I was thinking about another student at Kuyper who had left for a semester in Egypt and all I could think was how cool, what if I could do something like that? Amazingly enough, the next day I came into contact with Prof. Heerema and so I asked about studying abroad. Almost immediately I was given a hand full of options for places I could study . Once I narrowed down my options I had to make a choice between Oxford, Australia, or Israel. Since my program is Pre-Seminary Australia was knocked off the list since it's a semester focused on Arts. Then I began to look closer at Oxford, but when I began reading, students applying needed a minimum GPA of 3.5, well...I'm not that intelligent so Oxford was out. So I began a process of prayer and God not only lead me to choose Israel, but God called me to Israel.
One of the greatest things about being called by God is that everything in the process has worked out perfectly. Every door on the way to making this semester happen has been opened wide, and in fact I felt as though God has pushed me through showing me that this is where God truly wants me. This trip is not only full of great opportunities to learn and grow, but also an opportunity to see scripture come to life. Being able to see the setting of the Biblical world is something incredibly special and I feel privileged to be offered this chance. On the other hand, I have formed many deep relationships at Kuyper in my first year and it is tough knowing that I have to put those relationships on hold. Knowing that God has called me to Israel and that every door has been opened, I know then that God is in control of my life and that also means my relationships. If I trust God and put my faith in him he will provide me with strength and provide me with all I need.
Philippians 1:21
"For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain"