Why South Africa?
Today, I turned nineteen.
Why is that relevant?
Well, ten years ago, at the age of nine, I announced to my family that one day I would open an orphanage.
Looking back, I (of course) had no idea what that really meant. What nine-year-old is entirely sure of who they’d become or what they’d accomplish? But I carried that childlike faith Jesus talks about in Luke 18:15–17 – believing without question, dreaming without limits.
Little About Me + Where It All Began
Hi friends! Allow me to introduce myself.
My name is Emily. I’m the oldest of six, a 1w2 on the Enneagram, a dancer, a self-described “extroverted introvert,” a book lover, an ice cream addict, and a deep-feeler.
The spark in my heart that I described above was first lit when my mom and I read a book that many of you probably recognize: Kisses from Katie. I find it funny how, as a child, obstacles don’t exist. No questions were asked about my dream. Nothing was thought through. Though I didn’t understand all of it, I was confident of this: my heart longed to love and care for vulnerable children overseas.
When the Dream Became Complicated
Fast forward to pre- and post-graduation last spring: while my friends filled out college applications, picked roommates, and shopped for cute dorm supplies, I felt stuck. For years, I had pictured myself running an orphanage after high school, but the older I got, the more questions crept in. How? Where? And with what resources? The dream was still alive, but suddenly felt more complicated than my nine-year-old self ever imagined.
My mom and I played around for months with the idea of a gap year. When we discovered the Gapless Gap Year program with Adventures in Missions, it felt like the perfect answer: college credit, travel to Italy and Albania, and a built-in structure. On paper, it was everything I thought I wanted.
I applied, was accepted, filled out all the forms… but every time I went to hit the final “commit” button, a wave of dread washed over me. Even simple texts or emails about the program sent anxiety crashing through my heart. There was no excitement or certainty, only restlessness. Regardless of all the logical “green lights”, God never gave me His peace.
A New Direction
Through many prayers and conversations with my advisor, I realized that maybe the door wasn’t closed to Adventures in Missions entirely – just to this particular program. The more I prayed, the clearer it became: choosing Gapless would be choosing the safe, spoon-fed route. But God wasn’t calling me to “safe.”
He called me to an unknown, untraditional route that would challenge my mind, body, and soul. That calling came in the form of a Semester Trip to South Africa and Eswatini. I will leave with a small team next January and return in May for four months, which I believe will change my life.
What Comes Next
Despite the unknown of it all, I’ve never felt so much peace with a decision in my life. This is what I was meant to do.
For the past few months of waiting, God has opened countless doors for which I am incredibly grateful and taught me lessons I never would have learned elsewhere. I am stepping out of my comfort zone, finding a new community, and growing spiritually.
This is just the beginning. As I prepare for my trip and during my time in South Africa, I’ll be sharing the stories, challenges, and joys along the way. I’d love for you to come with me through your prayers and encouragement, and by following along here.
I’m excited to see what else God has in store for my future!
