It all started about a year ago when my mom looked at me and said, “You should really think about dedicating the next chapter of your life to the Lord after you graduate.”
To be honest, I wasn’t exactly thrilled with the idea. I kind of brushed it off and thought, “That’s not really what I have in mind.” By summer, I had pretty much made up my mind that I definitely wasn’t doing anything like that.
But God had other plans.
That summer, I had the chance to serve at Camp Victory in Alabama, and something shifted. It was there through worship, community, and watching God work in the lives of campers that I realized He was calling me to go. Not just for a week. Not just for a summer. But for several months. On mission.
Still, I didn’t say yes right away. I wrestled with it. I doubted myself. I told God I wasn’t ready. But as time went on, the more I prayed, the more clearly I could hear Him say, “Go.”
In August 2024, I finally took the leap and signed up for my first trip with World Race. It was a new and exciting opportunity a study abroad trip to Italy, one of the first World Race had ever done. I was thrilled!
But then, life threw a curveball.
Through a series of changes and decisions, that trip ended up being closed, and I was moved to a different route in Central America. While I was grateful for the opportunity, my heart still quietly hoped for Italy.
I prayed. A lot. And then on February 14 yes, my birthday! I got a message from Milly at World Race that felt like an answered prayer wrapped in a text:
“Hey Kodi! It’s Milly with the World Race! I saw that you ended up committing to another trip this fall, and I know that there have been so many changes! But we are actually launching another version of study abroad this fall, and it’s called Journey School. We primarily recruit through referrals, and I would be delighted to refer you! As they were sharing about the program, I just thought of you and felt like you’re exactly who they’re looking for! If you want to, you can transfer from your current program to this one and all your fundraising will be transferred over… I’m praying the Lord brings clarity and peace!”
I didn’t have to think twice. I knew in that moment this was where I was meant to be.
So now, I’m gearing up for the adventure of a lifetime. I’ll be spending my summer as a camp counselor (which I’m beyond excited for), and then this fall, I’ll head to Italy to study, serve, and share Jesus in one of the most beautiful places in the world through Journey School.
This journey hasn’t been a straight line,but every twist and turn has been a reminder that God’s timing is perfect, His plans are good, and saying “yes” to Him is always worth it.
Thanks for being a part of my story. I truly can’t wait to see what’s next.
Ciao for now!
Kodi
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