Just an update: I am currently at debrief in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Wow… just wow. God is so good! As we wrap up here, we will spend another 10 days doing ministry here in what we call “Ask the Lord.” This is the … format… for lack of a better word, we will be using for the next 3 countries: Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Basically, it’s exactly how it sounds. We will ask the Lord where he wants us to go, who he wants us to meet, what he wants us to do … and we go. Doesn’t that sound like fun? I have no doubt in my mind that it will be and that he will show up in some major ways.
First to answer some questions on that: 1. No I’m not scared, 2. Yes, AIM still provides for us, we have a budget, money, etc. They just don’t have scheduled ministry lined up, 3. I am so pumped, stoked, excited … any other affirmative words you could come up with for this, 4. I have confidence that the Lord speaks and we will hear him during this time, but more importantly, wherever we are going, he is already there. We just get this awesome opportunity to partner with him in a way we haven’t yet. Bottom line… it’s going to be so cool.
As I’m writing this, it is April 7th, 2017. Had I not gone on the race, this would be a rather turbulent time of year. I would be prepping for MAP testing, or already doing Map testing. I would be renting a house, while still having to take care of my own home. I would probably still be traveling to Maryville or Milan every weekend or every other weekend from a town 3 hours away. I may or may not be part of a newer church in my little town. I would likely be coaching basketball, softball, track or filling any other need that arose in my school district over the course of the year. I would be helping my co workers in any way I could. My days would be long, my sleep would be lacking, but most likely… I would be happy.
But that’s not where I am. Had you told me that would *actually* be the case 2 years ago (or 5 years ago when I found the race)… I would have laughed, but here we are.
I am in the middle of visiting my 4th country this year.
I haven’t touched, proctored or graded a single test in a year.
I don’t have an office.
I don’t have a typical day job, home, car, or place to stay.
I am working with a squad of absolutely amazing Godly men and women who are with one heart and one mind — to change the world for the kingdom.
I have grown undeniably closer to God. I hear his voice, seek his face and follow his lead… EVERYWHERE.
I have made innumerable connections with people all over world. Some small and simple, like playing with kids on a playground or at school, some just a simple conversation and some go much deeper and continue to keep in contact.
I’ve met some of the COOLEST people and have shared and heard stories I never could have imagined.
I have come to a place of complete reliance on God. For everything from what direction we will head each day, to financial needs on the field and at home, to fully trusting him with what is supposed to happen in my life both during and after the race.
Basically, my life right now is not at all what I would have expected 1, 2 or 5 years ago, but I absolutely, positively couldn’t imagine doing anything else. God built me for this, called me to it, and is continually forming me in it. How cool is that? Our God is not a tailor-made God, but he does create a call, a life, an experience just for us, just the way we are meant to live it.
I couldn’t imagine it any other way…
