My first three months on the Race in Africa deeply shaped the remainder of my experience on the Race. I was determined to continue saying YES! to my Jesus, and I loved my way through the rest of the trip. But in my heart there was residual sadness. I was sad I didn’t do it right in Africa. I was sad I didn’t receive everything the Lord had for me there. I was sad I had not given everything I could to the people I met there.
So, I asked the Lord for a second chance.
I distinctly remember kneeling on the floor in China and begging for another try. I begged for a chance to go back and do it all over again. I promised I would be different. I promised I would love. I promised I would be selfless. I promised I would honor Him.
As I whispered those prayers I never really dreamed He would answer. I was 1/2 way through the first Race and never dreamed I would Race again. It was not even on my radar and spending more time on the mission field just did not seem feasible. I figured he would lead me home to get a job and join the search for the American dream once again.
Aren’t you so glad His plans are always so much bigger than ours? Aren’t you glad we truly live out Ephesians 3:20-21:
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!
His plan was to send me back on the field and to give me back 3 months in Africa! I would get a second chance! I would get my African Re-Do! And that was exactly what I called my 2nd time in Africa: the African Re-Do. Thank you Jesus!
