How I was called to the mission field/Connor Eckhardt

  I really felt that God called me to the mission’s field when I was 12 years old. I went with my church to Mexicali over spring break. I loved it so much and I felt like I really had found a purpose, a calling to be out of my “comfort zone” and really making a difference. I got to meet a ton of new people in Mexico and got to help build houses and work with all the kids at the VBS sites. I felt like I was as close to God as I could ever be, without leaving this earth. Then, after I got home my Spiritual flame started to die and I was back where I started, just living my life from day to day. This was a really big thing for me because you know that feeling that you have at a summer camp or a snow camp and you think “If I could stay in this moment with God forever I would”.  I was always trying as hard as I could to keep that feeling alive in me but it always died out. Now, whenever I’m down or lonely I think of all the men and women in Africa and realize my life is a piece of cake, I know where my next meal is coming from, they don’t. Then our family decided to adopt a baby from Africa. When we decided on Ethiopia I was so excited. My dream was to go to Africa. While in country I got to hang out with all the kids, helping and talking to all the people. Also, visiting orphanages and playing soccer with all the street kids was such an amazing experience. After that trip I have not had a day go by where I don’t think about going back to Africa and becoming a missionary after college or for a year before I start. And that is how God called me to the mission’s field.