Student Blog Written By: Evelyn Nelson, Fellows
My main hesitation about becoming a Fellow was the international trip. I had a big fear of becoming sick somewhere far from home, being out of my comfort zone, and the long flights did not help either. And as I entered my Fellows year, I soon began to struggle with insecurities I didn’t even know I had.
I had let myself wallow in self-pity for too long, and it overwhelmed my life.
During Christmas, God snapped me out of my situation and helped me realize that I was wasting my time dwelling on what I didn’t like about my life and how things were not going the way that I wanted.
This inspired me to enter my second semester with a completely different mindset. One that turned to God and focused on choosing to be grateful for what I had instead of what I was lacking.
Then I got the flu. And started my trip exactly how I had feared, sick.
Then, five days in, I got a stomach bug.
For the second time, I found myself sick in bed, having to miss out on a day and being sent home early due to being in too much pain the next day.
I was frustrated, weak, and without the comfort of my phone or my family. But in this, I found myself reading my Bible more and talking to God as I went. My determination to not let myself wallow in self-pity finally started to click, and I began to grow in patience and strength in God.
One night, I even found myself singing ‘I’ve got the joy joy joy joy down in my heart’ to myself as I fell asleep to keep myself out of my head. This ended up helping a lot.
I got sick another time our last week in Brazil, but was able to work through it. God taught me a lot over that trip about choosing joy and gratitude even when it seems easier to wallow in self-pity. My view of His beauty and power grew, and I was gifted a renewed awe in Him.
And lastly, He provided me with wonderful friendships that have lasted even outside of Brazil, something that I was lacking in before I came to Fellows and had begun to fear I’d never get.
All of my fears about the international trip had come true. But I found that they were not as bad as I had originally feared.
God taught me a lot about Him and finding my comfort in Him, something I would have never done before.
I am headed to Mississippi College next year to play soccer there. This was an opportunity that, in many ways, I was also scared to take. But after my experience internationally, I know God will provide for me, and I choose to lean on Him, even when I feel afraid. And no matter what I do, or where I go, I will have joy in my heart to stay!
We believe that when a student is rooted in truth, they become a catalyst for the Kingdom wherever they go. Help us continue to forge disciples who possess the resolve to stay faithful and the tools to make disciples. Your investment in the Multiply Fund makes this transformation possible.