From Band Manager to Missionary!

Music.
I'm sure it doesn't take a lot to know that I love music.
I love most genres, styles, sounds, etc. I love live shows, small or large.
I love crowds and enjoying music with other people (whether at a show or in the car).
And I really love watching other people play. It's so fun to have friends who play in shows and travel around the country. So fun.

For the longest time, I've had a desire to work with a band. To travel alongside them assisting them with finances, scheduling shows, places to live, and most importantly enjoying the music making WITH them. I've wanted to be a band manager or even their photographer. I want to help empower musicians with leadership and administrative skills.

And switching gears.

As you probably know, I did a DTS (Discipleship Training School) in Kona, Hawaii and then spent 3 months in Japan on outreach. That experience wrecked me (in a completely good way). The Lord broke down so many walls and barriers. I learned so much about myself and grew deeper with the Lord. I learned to trust Him so much more and learned more of what He looks like and how I can be more like Him. Wow, that was a lot said in just a few sentences. But, it was so good! It was there that God showed me what He has in store for me. I am called to a life of missions. But hold tight, we are not going to get there quite yet.

After returning home from my DTS I was sad, but completely excited to be home. Being gone for 6 months was really hard. I was homesick and ready to get back to "normal life". It was wonderful to be home. I grew closer with my sister, Amy. And now I'm sure it's not hard to see that we are pretty much inseparable. I'm so thankful for our friendship. I was happy to see my family, go back to my church and just be in the South again! Shortly after returning home, I started working at Vapor Thrift Store. I've always had a heart for Africa and the Lord placed this opportunity of working alongside a missions based organization. And there, I learned about Haiti.  The Lord wasn't done with me yet. In August of 2012, I went to Haiti with Shades. I had always dreamed of going to a third world country (sounds kind of funny saying that). I wanted to see what it was like first hand. It was breathtaking, amazing, and absolutely needed. I love America. I do. I love the big cities, the tall buildings, all of the food/shopping options, everything. I knew I needed to experience the hard places. And I did. It's really hard to be there because you are living, in some places, the slums. In Haiti, we were treated so well. But it was still risky. We had to have a malaria shot along with a few others. We had to sleep in a mosquito net (I don't know if much sleeping happened). We also had no AC and I didn't have a fan. Let me pause and tell that story. We had a list of things to bring. A fan was on that list. I thought everyone was going to consider that a luxury item (aka not necessary) and probably wouldn't bring one. Buuuuut, they did. I did not have one. I just say I went total grub. It was funny and hot, but I made it.
My point is, we were living in third world, but were really taken care of. Such a blessing.

So here it is: Trip after trip and story after story I became more and more confident that a life of missions is my calling. Somewhere after coming from DTS and going to Haiti I decided to go back to school with a major in Business Management with a concentration on Production and Operations. I just finished my first semester and every single class confirmed that the major I chose is correct and perfect for me! It is so good to go to school feeling like you have a purpose! It makes it more fun and tons easier. I plan to use my major to help administrate and lead missions projects around the world. So many people (some that I personally know) have huge desires.. they want to start a school, build an orphanage, bring a group of doctors and supplies from America to another country, and more. But I've learned from personal experience that it's really nice to have educated knowledge. I am hoping to have that educated knowledge and as a team we can make things happen. We can share the gospel and the love of the Lord. I want to share with others that the Lord loves THEM! And His love for each one of us is real. He is constantly pursuing us! We just need to open our eyes and see His goodness.

As I was at work the other day, I was thinking about how I've come a long way from wanting to be a band manager. I've come to know what God has called me to do. Music is still a huge part of my life, I love it and always will. But sharing the gospel with every tongue, tribe and nation is ultimately what the Lord is asking of me (and of followers in general, it just looks a little different for me). And I cannot believe He has chosen me. I feel so privileged and I am extremely excited to see where God is going to take me. Cannot wait! It's scary, so scary. Going to another country is hard. I am going to Mexico this summer and I'm scared about experiencing new things, but at the same time, I love it. I KNOW that I am supposed to. And THAT is what keeps me going. Trusting in the Lord despite my fear is such encouragement and motivates me all the more. I am blessed.

So, I think I have found out how to put it, whether working with musicians or other missionaries,  I love helping other people's dreams come true. And in the meantime, my dreams are coming true! I love how the Lord orchestrates life!

I feel like I'm a little scattered, but there ya go. There is my story about going from band manager to missionary.

I am thankful for the constant support from friends, family, and strangers. I could not do it without y'all! Thank you for standing beside me and believing in me. Thank you for encouraging me and loving me!

Love,
Kathryn