What happens when everything you planned for your life does not look like what God is calling you to do?
What do you do when the plans that you made for your life were based off the expectations people had for you?
What do you do when what God is calling you to do is the very thing you are passionate about?
And what happens when God answers the prayers of a girl who once said, “Send me, I’ll go.”
The answer is simple…GO!
I’ve dreamed of doing missions since I was a little girl. I remember pinning a world map on my wall in my room. Everyday I would sit in front of it and pray that one day God would send me to every place that I marked with my red marker. It was then that I recognized my life would be different.
Fast forward many years later.
Here I am standing at a fork in the road.To the right of me is 17 months post graduate school as a licensed social worker—not working in the field. I repeat…NOT WORKING IN THE FIELD. Every potential and far fetched dream of working as a social worker had been filled with the familiar email stating, “After careful review, we have elected to pursue other candidates at this time.” 
I had the degrees, the license, the practicum experiences, and the networks..or so I thought. No one wanted me. I was starting to think when I would submit my applications God had bold red letters on my resume stating,
It didn’t make sense to me. In my constant pursuit of countless job applications I kept stumbling on the World Race website. I would read selfless blogs of individuals who were voyaging across the world all for the sake of sharing the gospel in foreign lands to people who are in need. I told the Lord, “It would be cool/amazing/my dream to do that one day Lord.” Who knew that day would be now.
Once again in my intentional pursuit of filling out applications I stumbled on the World Race website again. I was curious to see what routes were chosen for next year. After strolling and being intrigued I came across one particular route that stated “Extreme.” I just knew to skip over that one. But I found myself even more curious to see why this route was so extreme. Immediately upon reading the first line I heard, “Apply.”
WAIT WHAT?!!!!!!
I didn’t hear that. I exited out of all browsers and went to sleep. Everyday for about three weeks I tried to ignore that voice that said, “apply” but it would not go away. It invaded everything. Every dream, every bible study, every Sunday sermon, every prayer, and every encounter I had with someone. After many efforts of ignoring I applied.
“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.” Proverbs 19:21
So to the left of me is World Race. Full of the unknown but everything that I had dreamed of doing all my life. This didn’t come packaged with a salary, company benefits, and vacation time. It meant leaving everything comfortable and living every moment out on faith especially the part that stated raise $17, 561. That takes some real faith!
While I stood at this fork in the road every thought mirroring fear and doubt came pouring,
“Maybe next year. I need to find a job right now before me licensure expire.”
“My car isn’t paid off. I can’t pay that off in another country. And those school loans won’t pay itself.”
“People are going to be tired of me asking for money.”
“I already know what my family is going to say about this one.”
And after every statement all I was reminded of,
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19,20
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me! Isaiah 6:8
“How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!” Romans 10:15
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:33
“Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.” Proverbs 16:3
“Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:6-9
The journey starts now. I’m living out a answered prayer. This journey isn’t by popular demand but one that I’m willing to abandon everything that I know and walk on the waters of faith. So here it is,
World Race :August 2016 Expedition
-South America
-12 countries
-11 months
-One God
-One Gospel
-$17,561 to raise
If you have read this far, you have indeed invested in the journey. Thank you. I pray that you would consider investing financially with a one time or monthly donation to help me live out this answered prayer. You can simply click “Support Me” at the top right hand corner!
Continue on this journey with me by following my blog!
#12n11 #WorldRace #SouthAmerica
