*Here is an interview that Kingdom Dreams, with Adventures In Missions, wrote about the journey God has been taking me on these last few months.
Quit Making Excuses
In August, Amy Duncan will head to Chiang Mai, Thailand to work with an organization called the Free Burma Rangers. It’s been a roller coaster ride since she first heard the call to Thailand last September, with everything from ministry changes to team changes to finding a way to pay off her student loans and mortgage in the midst of support raising. Despite numerous obstacles and unexpected alterations, Amy’s faith has been unshakeable.
Kingdom Dreams: When did you first hear the call to Thailand?
Amy: I first heard it in September of 2011 while attending Project Searchlight (PSL). I was trying to figure out what to do with my life after returning home from The World Race. I knew I wanted to eventually start an orphanage, but I knew I should serve someone else’s dream first.
Kingdom Dreams: What did your original plan look like to go to Thailand?
Amy: My original plan was to move to Gainesville in January of 2012 to be part of the Adventures in Missions community and to begin raising financial support to leave for Thailand in September. I didn’t originally intend on going as part of a team.
Then, a week before Thanksgiving I received a message from two girls to be part of the Thailand initiative, which was a two-year commitment. But I still wanted freedom to do my own thing. I didn’t want to make that long of a commitment, even though they were going to be partnering with the organization I was planning on working with at the time.
Kingdom Dreams: So what changed your mind?
Amy: Honestly? The Lord.
The same week the girls messaged me, God spoke to me through a couple dreams, reminding me of His call and His provision, and I just knew that I was supposed to join them. That this is what I was supposed to do. I was still fighting it, but I had it out with God the next day and submitted to His will. Then an overwhelming sense of peace came.
Kingdom Dreams: When you joined, you were part of a group of 6. Now there are two of you going. What did that transition from 6 to 2 look like?
Amy: It was frustrating at first to be left with just two, but I knew that God was going to provide people if He saw fit. And I knew I was supposed to be in Thailand regardless of any change in circumstance. Some are coming to Thailand at later dates. Ultimately, everyone had to follow the word the Lord was giving them.
Kingdom Dreams: Your ministry also changed from who you originally thought you'd be working with. What was that like?
Amy: My goal of going out to Thailand was to serve someone else’s dream and learn the ins and outs of running an orphanage. The original ministry we were partnered with wouldn’t have allowed me to do that because they don’t currently have an orphanage. Even though I didn’t understand it at first, it was all part of God’s perfect plan.
Kingdom Dreams: So over the past 4 months you’ve had 4 teammates leave, had a change in ministry, and still have nearly 75% left to raise of the $2200 you need per month. You own a home and have a mortgage to deal with while you’re in Thailand on top of student loans that need to be paid off. Amidst all of these obstacles, how have you kept your eyes fixed on God and kept these things from becoming excuses?
Amy: There were times that I would doubt for a few minutes, but the beautiful thing was that the more things shifted and changed, the more it deepened my trust in Him. The doubt began to shrink and go away because I knew my God had this. He always does. In the midst of all the chaos I had to choose to trust—to remember His promises and His faithfulness.
Not just with Thailand, but in general, I’m gonna go. If there’s an opportunity to go somewhere I’m gonna go, because I haven’t been there and Jesus said to go make disciples of the nations. I’ve already gotten my "word" in the Great Commission.
Kingdom Dreams: What would you say to those who face obstacle after obstacle after obstacle?
Amy: Of course there’s gonna be obstacles. Duh. There is a battle going on in the spiritual realm and Jesus never said it would be easy. Keep pressing in and hanging on to God’s faithfulness and resting in Him when it seems like all odds are against you. Because he’s got it.
The world’s gonna say don’t do it and they’re not going to understand. Parents and friends may say you’re crazy. But hang onto the promises and keep fighting.
at home in Indiana with my siblings for my little sister's high school graduation
Amy leaves mid August. She is currently back home in Indiana support raising. To learn more about her journey or to partner with her, visit her blog at www.amyduncan.theworldrace.org.
