This fall, WoodsEdge is privileged to have a new Missions & Mobilization interns on our team. With so many events taking place over the next few months, she will be a huge help in our day-to-day ministry, and we pray that her spiritual development will be even more profound. Get to know the story of our Bring Hope intern:
Hi! My name is Chloe Barefield, and I am a Missions intern here at WoodsEdge this fall! Ever since I was a little girl, I knew that the Lord was calling me to missions, before I even fully knew what that meant. I always had a heart to serve; whether it was making Christmas boxes for families who couldn't afford it, serving kids with special needs, or simply helping my friends clean their room, I've always been passionate to help others in any way I can.
From a very young age, I've known who Jesus is. I knew that he loved me, and that he loved others. What I didn't know is that I could have a deep friendship with Him— until I got to high school. During that time, I experienced a lot of hardships, some of which I would run to Jesus for, and others in which I would run to the world… I eventually became so aware of what it truly meant to be a child of God, and I decided that I never want to leave His love.
In 2024 I had the opportunity to go on my very first international mission trip to Guatemala! For a week, my team and I stayed somewhere that is very near and dear to WoodsEdge, an orphanage by the name of Casa Aleluya. What I experienced that week changed my perspective on joy and gratitude forever. Though they virtually had nothing, the kids we met joyfully shared with each other and us without hesitation. The kids whose shoes were falling apart were the same ones who would share their food with us or give us the clothes off their back if they saw that we were cold. I was wrecked with the love that the Lord has for his people. I learned through these children that I was made to serve, and what it truly meant to do so.
During worship one evening, I sensed that the Lord was calling me to return to Guatemala and be a missionary. It was exciting, but once I arrived home, I began wrestling with fear of what this might look like. I knew that serving would be a part of my life but the thought of giving up everything was so scary; not being able to see my friends and family whenever I wanted, not knowing where I would be getting my income from, and plainly losing my comfortability. I felt like all of this might be taken away if I pursued missions. Allowing fear to make my decisions, I applied to Stephen F. Austin State University where I could get my teaching degree and live a "normal" life. I settled with the fact that I could at least just go on mission trips over the summer. During this time the Lord continued to remind me, and I couldn't ignore that this wasn't what He had for me. I finally surrendered and decided not to pursue a college degree. I prayerfully sought the Lord to receive more clarity and direction for my future, which eventually prompted me to apply for Youth With A Mission (YWAM) in Antigua, Guatemala!
Throughout everything I have witnessed and done, there is one standing constant: the love God has for His people. It is so intentional and unfailing, and He invites us to receive it with open arms! It would have been easy to stick with the life that I felt comfortable in, but He invites you and I both into a bigger story!
Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." -Matthew 9:37-38
We are excited and expectant for the work that Chloe will do this fall. If you see her around campus, be sure to introduce yourself, find out what she's been learning, and ask how you can pray for her!