It hurt. I knew it would, but I did it anyway. Then once I started, I couldn’t stop. The dam broke, and it gushed out. Everything was on the table, no secrets, no lies, just the ugly truth. I was leaving. I told the people I care about the most that I was leaving them.
Everyone had the same questions; Where are you going? When do you leave? Why are you doing this? And How are you going? The first two questions are easy. In September I am leaving, along with members of my squad to travel to Mongolia, China, Zambia, Malawi, and Ecuador over the course of nine months.
The third question is the hardest. Why would I delay the start of college to go to the poorest countries in the world? The short answer is that I get the opportunity to travel the world to tell people about Jesus. What can be wrong with that?
The longer response is that I am called. I have felt the Father call me, and place this trip on my heart over the last few months. I am called to go serve those in need, feed the hungry, and bring hope to the hopeless. I am to be Christ to the nations proclaiming Him in word and deed. This journey takes these words and puts them into action. I am no longer relying on my own power, but I am relying on the Father’s power every day.
The How is the first place I am expecting to see His power. For this trip to happen, I need closed doors to be opened, and walls to be broken down. This is where you come in. I need your prayers. Pray that I will be used by Him every day. No matter what. Regardless if the day is the best of times or the worst of times.
Secondly, I ask that you would pray about becoming a financial partner with me. This trip comes at a price emotionally, physically, and financially. I need your support. I will not be able to go on this journey without your help.
This trip is a super exciting season of my life, and I am thrilled to see what the Lord is going to do in my life over the coming year. It is my prayer that I will be able to “Declare Fearlessly” the grace that He has given me. That He will use the broken person that I am for His glory.
Finally, I ask that you pray this for me; “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.” Ephesians 6:18-20
